How to Manage Uncertainty
Do you worry about things that are out of your control?
This is a common obstacle when going after your dreams and goals.
It can sound like, WHAT IF the pandemic rages again and I lose my job? Or, what if I get in an accident? Or, what if people don’t like my work or think I’m a failure?
These questions can trigger a lot of anxiety about the future. It can lead to healthy planning to mitigate these possible outcomes, OR it can lead to procrastination and shelving of our goals.
For example, for as long as I can remember I had the dream of traveling around the world with my family. But I was so afraid of things that were mostly out of my control like the resurgence of COVID, getting sick, car accidents, political instability, etc, that it kept me from following through on my dream…until I learned how to move through them.
Over the years I learned several “truths” about uncertainty that have helped me deal with it.
8 SUGGESTIONS FOR MANAGING UNCERTAINTY
1) IT IS NORMAL
Uncertainty in life, work, and relationships is NORMAL. Expect it. You aren’t alone. Accept it and make peace with it as a part of life. Worrying or being anxious creates an illusion of you controlling the situation, but it really doesn’t. It simply wastes your time and drains your energy.
2) FEEL IT AND MOVE ON
Feel the uncertainty for a bit and move on. Don’t ignore it as it will only simmer and get worse with time. My favorite way to feel the uncertainty is to notice where I am feeling it in my body, and breathe in and out through my nose slowly until the sensation goes away (or reduces).
3) CHALLENGE IT
Get curious and challenge your need for certainty. Worrying about things offers an illusion of control. Get curious how worrying is or isn’t helping you.
4) SEE THE POSSIBLE POSITIVE OUTCOME
Don’t assume that uncertainty will bring something negative! The future result could very well be POSITIVEl. Give equal airtime to possible positive outcomes in your brain.
5) FOCUS ON WHAT YOU CAN CONTROL
Note what you can’t control and try to shift your attention to what you CAN control. Create a plan for them at a level that quiets YOUR brain. But don’t get bogged down in overplanning. Try to focus on the present.
6) EXERCISE
Manage your anxiety/stress/worry with physical exercise and healthy eating. Avoid binge eating or drinking. This will only exacerbate your mental outlook.
7) FIND THE GIFT & OPPORTUNITY
Imagine the worst case outcome and look for the “gift or opportunity” in it. What could you learn from it? What skill could you build as a result? How could you use it as inspiration to create something good? You don’t have to fully believe it yet, just open up space for the possibility of it. If you get good at this, then you know whatever the outcome you are going to be able to handle it.
8) USE YOUR INNATE 5 SAGE POWERS
Finally, know that you have access to the following five sage powers to help you solve any unwelcome obstacle or outcome.
Empathy: Cultivate empathy and compassion for yourself, others or the situation.
Explore: Get curious about the situation and all the factors at play.
Innovate: Brainstorm innovative solutions and pick one that works best for you.
Navigate: Ask your future elder-self for wisdom and advice.
Activate: Commit to taking three small actions towards resolving your situation.
Play around with these 8 tips and see what works for you. Let me know how it goes.
And if you are ready to really dive into pursuing your BIG Dream, reach out or set up a free call. I’d love to help you.