5 Ways To Dealing With Uncertainty
Updated: Aug 12, 2024
Written by: Simon T. Bailey, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
It is human nature to want to know everything; being in possession of knowledge and of what is, is central to the way human beings work and interpret the world around them. But often times, humans find themselves in a situation where they have incomplete information, which ultimately disrupts their interpretation of reality. This uncertainty is viewed by most people as disruptive, and they try to minimize uncertainty in their lives as much as possible.
As much as we try to avoid it, the fact of the matter is that uncertainty is inevitable; every once in a while, you are likely to find yourself in a situation where you are completely oblivious of what will happen next. The good thing, however, is that although humans do not have much control over how things turn out, they do have the power to come to terms with uncertainty. Here we will take a look at 5 ways of effectively dealing with uncertain situations:
Prepare For Every Possibility
Things can go either this way or that, there is no third option. The best you can do when you don’t know which way the wind blows is to prepare for every possibility. Having a backup plan and preparing yourself for every possible outcome can considerably reduce the stress and anxiety you feel associated with the ‘oblivious’.
Be Ready To Accept Change
Most of the time, the reason uncertainty stresses people so much is that they are afraid of change. They think something unexpected, something new might happen, which would be different from what they are used to. This fear of the unknown often leads to problems in dealing with uncertain situations. The best technique in such a case is to accept that change is not always bad, and it just might open up new avenues and opportunities for people.
Channel Positive Thoughts
Uncertainty and negativity are like two peas in a pod; it is natural to feel negative in an uncertain situation. After all, it is human nature to imagine only the worst case scenarios. It is best for people to try to bring in some positivity in uncertain situations. Not thinking about the worst that can happen, and rather hoping for the best can elevate your spirits and make you feel less anxious about uncertainty.
Don’t Over Think
Overthinking is one of the most common problems in humans. We tend to keep thinking about something that is bugging us unless we exhaust all possible explanations of why the problem occurred in the first place. This curiosity is good at times, but can be very damaging if it becomes an obsession. If you are uncertain about something, at times it is best to let it be. Things have a way of working out themselves, wait for them to; over thinking would only make your wait more painful.
Look At the Bigger Picture
Never ignore the larger scheme of things, the greater good. There is always a rationale behind how things turn out, and even if you don’t like the outcome, there is always a plausible explanation for it. Embracing this fact would put you at ease, and help you deal with uncertainty more effectively.
Simon T. Bailey, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
SUCCESS magazine calls Simon T. Bailey one of the top 25 people who will help you reach your business and life goals. He joins a list that includes Oprah Winfrey, Brene Brown, and Tony Robbins. Washington Speakers Bureau recognized him as one of the 12 business speakers who emboldened audiences to think big and lead with purpose. Simon was the first Black American sales director for the Disney Institute based at Walt Disney World Resort. Since leaving Disney, he has served more than 2,100 organizations in 50 countries. His three LinkedIn Learning courses have been viewed by 250,000 individuals in 100 countries. He’s also written 10 books and has one of the 100 most-read motivational and successful blogs.
