Expect Uncertainty!

Expect Uncertainty

“We don’t know what will happen.”

“Nothing is as certain as change.”

“Uncertainty is the only certainty.”

None of these quotes is comforting. We know that uncertainty exists. Apparently, it has been around forever! During Hellenistic times, philosopher Pyrrho was the first to embrace uncertainty. As a concept in Greek thought, it has been a part of Western thought ever since.

Some of the elements that support uncertainty include:

Health Issues: for yourself, for your family and for the nation

Unexpected occurrences: job loss, accidents, disability, income reduction

Economic fluctuations: general downturns, wage loss or reduction

Imperfect information: faulty interpretations, predictions or forecasts

If our feelings of certainty are based on measurements and conditions that are subject to change, they can be expected to contribute to uncertainty. Ignorance of the elements of a situation are a factor in uncertainty. It is said that we don’t know what we don’t know. Sometimes we know that we don’t know enough! An element of ignorance is an overwhelming amount of information. “TMI—too much information--can contribute to uncertainty. “Too many cooks” can crowd the kitchen. When unable to determine which information to believe, uncertainty grows!

One of our responses to uncertainty is to engage in self-talk. Self-talk can be a cousin to worry! Being in the same family, they can lead you astray. If your self-talk is about things you fear, it will increase your level of stress, increase your anxiousness, reinforce your feelings of powerlessness--all elements of uncertainty. With worry, self-talk focuses on circumstances you cannot control and thus can create negative outcomes. Or it could just be wrong!

Instead of dwelling on the negative, use self-talk to help confront uncertainty. Start with a realistic evaluation of what is and what is perhaps uncertain. That alone can change the content of your self-talk.

Don’t resist change that is contributing to uncertainty. Recognize what is making you uncertain. After identifying what is making you fearful, use it and accompanying emotions as a jumping off point to correct your self-talk.

Rather than self-talking yourself into a negative outcome, use the situation as a point from which you move forward. Take small steps to improve and diminish your level of uncertainty. Use your self-talk to encourage yourself in a positive direction. Increase your physical and spiritual security.

Practice self-care by getting enough rest. With a well-rested body, you can indulge in a little fun. Play with children, or someone you know who is playful. Watch something silly and laugh out loud. Allow yourself to indulge in something you love. Spa day? Gardening? Swimming? Do something unique to you. Indulge in some physically comforting indulgence but keep it healthy and realistic.

Address uncertainty by taking control. Do an inventory of what you know. Moving forward can include learning more to increase future options or dealing with immediate uncertainties. Taking that step to learn more skills can decrease your dependence or needing to be rescued by someone else. That can decrease your uncertainty. Increasing your skills and decreasing dependance will help you create a future that more closely aligns with what you want.

In dealing with uncertainty, self-talk has guided you away from negativity and encouraged you to deal with reality. Be realistic about the small steps necessary to reach a positive outcome. Patience is a critical element. Nothing happens instantly.

Appreciate who you are. Recognize how you have succeeded. Use it to make self-talk increasingly positive and decrease uncertainty. Being open to learning new skills gets you closer to the future outcome that really represents you and what you want. Being conscious of self-care gives your emotions a level playing field. After all that, you may still need help dealing with uncertainty. If a positive friend can’t help, professional help is always an option.

Above all else, tell uncertainty to ‘get behind’ you and move forward into a more certain and controlled future. It can be one that you create. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Want to learn more about uncertainty?

Webster: Dictionary: Uncertainty is a state of doubt first used in the 14th century.

TED Talks, You Tube: Dealing with Uncertainty

En.m.wikipedia.org

Greatergood.berkely.edu

Comments, additions, perspectives: karenmac1999@hotmail.com