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the future, absolute certainty about future events remains elusive to us.
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So how well do you live with uncertainty? Are you able to tolerate ambiguity
and unforeseen circumstances or do you get trapped in a cycle of anxiety, haunted by endless “what if” scenarios? Uncertainty can fuel anxiety primarily because our brains are wired to seek predictability and control. When faced with the unknown, our brains interpret it as a potential threat, triggering a cascade of physiological and psychological responses designed to keep us safe. Our ancestors needed to be cautious
in unpredictable situations to stay safe from predators and other threats. This inherent “threat detection” system, could become overwhelming in the modern world where “threats” are often abstract and ongoing.
There are many ways that we can help ourselves to live better with uncertainty and here are a few suggestions:
Avoid the gossip and drama Uncertainty can create a playground for the gossipmongers who perversely enjoy stoking up as much negativity as they can. They will be predicting all sorts of doom and gloom and if we get absorbed with the gossip, scaremongering, and toxicity it will drag us down and make us feel more anxious.
TOP TIP – Limit your exposure to the news and avoid going down a rabbit hole and being click bait for negative social media where gossip and doom mongering is rife. You don’t have to expose yourself to it and you certainly don’t have to be part of it. That is entirely your choice and within your control.
Flip the negative mind chatter One of the great benefits of positive thinking is that it can quiet the fear and irrational mind chatter by focusing our minds on something that is more calming. Thoughts are powerful triggers for emotions and for every negative niggling doubt that we have, on the flip side, there will always be a more hopeful alternative. It helps to refocus our wandering minds by consciously selecting something positive to think about. Gratitude is a powerful tool.
TOP TIP – At the end of each day, or whenever you feel overwhelmed by uncertainty, take a moment to reflect and write down three specific things that went well or that you are grateful for. They don’t have to be grand gestures; they can be simple: a sunny moment, a kind word from a colleague, a delicious cup of tea, a project moving forward slightly. >
he world currently faces a confluence of uncertainties, and while humans have a deep-seated desire to predict
Shifting our mindset and adopting practical strategies can help us to navigate the unpredictable nature of life
Learning Magazine | 15
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