Dealing with Uncertainty

Situations that Might Prompt Uncertainty

Suppose you find yourself in a situation where the outcome is unclear. How can you deal with this uncertainty? The dilemma you are facing might relate to any number of things. Here are just a few example of situations which might prompt uncertainty:

• An issue in a relationship
• The sale or purchase of a house or a move
• A business or career decision.

Two Opposite Approaches to Uncertainty:
(1) Action & (2) Patience

(1) Assessing whether Action will Help

A first step to consider is reflecting whether there is action you can take which is likely to help to resolve the uncertainty in a helpful way. If there is something you can do that will deal sensibly with the situation without any significant drawbacks then it may well be a good option to take your courage in your hand and commit to that action. Sometimes people who are prone to high levels of anxiety, vacillate a great deal for fear of consequences when action may be the best option. If you know that this applies to you and that in the situation you are in it is unrealistic fear or anxiety which is making it difficult to act, then action could be the appropriate step for you.

(2) What if Action won't Help?

However, there are some situations where acting is more likely to make the matter worse or where the situation is beyond your control and there is little you can do. If this is the type of situation you are faced with then your best option may be patience - accepting that there is little you can do about the situation at this time and riding it out or focusing your mind and attention on other things rather than stewing over something that you can do nothing about. If you are someone who likes to be in control of situations and you are faced with a situation that you cannot control then the option of patience may be difficult for you to follow but it may sometimes be the sensible choice for managing your stress in relation to something beyond your control.

Examine Each Case on its Merits

Approaches (1) and (2) are very different and they show that each case needs to be examined on its own merits, since different situations or different personalities may require different approaches.

The next time you are feeling stressed out by uncertainty, consider the particular situation you are in and try to make a reasoned judgement as to whether in that situation the most sensible approach is action or patience.

Great friend and mentor David Bonham-Carter Life coach

"Sweat a little Be better"

Africa's finest!

Brian Pade