Embracing Uncertainty

July 21, 2023

Uncertainty is a part of life – and it always will be. You can’t guarantee that the things you want will come to fruition, you can’t choose exactly what lies in your future, and you can’t control what others do or say. But you can control how you choose to handle uncertainty – starting with how you approach it.

Did you grow up hearing you can do and achieve anything you put your mind to? It’s a loving message, yes, but also incomplete because, as you know, reaching your goals requires focus, effort, and dedication. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by assuming you’ll be successful – work hard, and feel confident about your efforts, even if the outcomes differ from what you expected.

If uncertainty feels uncomfortable and discomfort is something you tend to avoid, does that mean you should avoid uncertainty? Would knowing that personal growth is an outcome of working through discomfort change your answer? 

Lean into the uncomfortable feelings – don’t shy away from or fight them. Consider it your opportunity to become more emotionally flexible, resilient, and accepting of the unknown. Because when you do, you will certainly be embracing uncertainty.