Playing With Uncertainty

“When you become comfortable with uncertainty, infinite possibilities open up in your life.” – Eckhart Tolle

The pandemic is providing leaders with many “opportunities” to re-think what being good at a job looks like.  The plans you put in place on one day, are no longer a viable option only a few days later.  The strategies you successfully used throughout your career, may no longer be relevant (or, they may!). The dream position you were appointed to, turned out to need you to deal with crisis after crisis instead of all the strategic thinking you had imagined would be possible. And, the vacations, family outings and even wedding plans, are on hold until more is known. 

Of course, uncertainty is always a dynamic in life.  However, whether you view it as a negative dynamic or something to be embraced, is a choice.

In fact, for me, uncertainty is now irrelevant. It’s not how I think. Instead, I think about intention for being and noticing what exists in the present moment that creates the possibility to have the impact I am meant to have (and that my organization and coaching clients need me to have). I value conversation, collaboration, reflection, asking for or offering help, listening, breathing.  

It wasn’t always like this.  Since a child, I’ve been a “Here’s where we are, here’s where we want to be, so HERE’s how we’re going to get there” kinda gal.  And I delivered – in both my personal and professional life.

With an early career in production and operations in performing arts organizations, I understood how creating predictable schedules and frameworks along with being able to accurately predict and anticipate future needs with certainty, all helped to ensure that others could do and be their best.

The problem:  uncertainty can cause suffering when we believe that it prevents us from moving forward or somehow reflect poorly on our own value.

Playing with Uncertainty – 4 Guiding Prompts

1. How do you feel if things don’t go as planned? Why?
2. Do you have any limiting beliefs about what things not going as planned say about you?  Where did you learn this? Who told you this was true?  What if this belief is not true?
3. How do you feel about uncertainty? Why?
4. Do you have any limiting beliefs about how not knowing what is coming says something about you?  Where did you learn this? Who told you this was true?  What if this belief is not true?

Don’t wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and make them great. – Orison Swett Marden

Today, I write this from Iceland, a few hours after sitting in the hot waters of the Blue Lagoon, walking to an active volcano, and meeting some wonderful fellow travelers.  My husband has planned everything on this trip celebrating my Birthday.  I challenged myself to not look at the itinerary in advance! I have everything I need in the present moment, I’m not sure what we will do tomorrow or the next day, and I can’t wait to see what possibilities will be revealed!

Please let me know how you are playing with uncertainty in the pandemic!

To your success,

Kathryn
Next Chapter Coach
Creator of The Career (Life!) Breakthrough Academy^TM

P.S. – If you would like to join over 200 fellow leaders curating lives of impact & joy, the OCTOBER 2021 COHORT of The Career (Life!) Breakthrough Academy is being formed now! This time of year can be challenging if you’re at a Crossroad Moment, trying to figure out what to do, what is possible, what you (really) want, and what you should do next.  If this is YOU or someone you know, I’ve opened up times on my calender to get on the phone for a confidential call.