How to Take Action in the Midst of Uncertainty
How the Take Action in the Midst of Uncertainty:
Let’s face it, there are plenty triggers all around these days that easily toss you into the fog, you can’t see where you are going, what’s around the corner or how things will turn out.
Are you feeling uncertainty taking up residence between your two ears? When you are uncertain you are not confident or don’t feel you can rely on something. What is that “something” for you today? Your health? Finances? Relationships? Your job? Those in leadership positions that directly impact your sense of wellbeing? We could go on and on as there are numerous triggers linked to the feeling that you can not rely on something. Let’s nail it down for you today and explore how to keep moving forward on the windy roads of uncertainty.
I will often reference the act of quarantining your thoughts that hijack your confidence when I work with clients as quickly as possible. There are several tools to help you get the uncertainty out of your mind, below are just a few for you to explore:
- Take a piece of paper fold it in half length wise. Or draw a T chart. On the top left side write: Stressor. On the top right side write: Action. As soon as you identify that “something” that is triggering uncertainty, the feeling that you can’t rely on it, write it down under the Stressor. Next, brainstorm an action step you can take to move in a positive direction. For example let’s say you are stressed about the thought of losing your job which is igniting feelings of uncertainty and releasing stress in your body. Get it out of your head ASAP and write it down on the paper. Next explore your available resources that support you. An example of an action that you could take would be to connect or reconnect with other individuals who are in your industry and explore potential back up plans if you have observable data that supports your stressor of possibly losing your job.
- Resist the urge to make assumptions and conclusions. Commit to focusing on observable data. Avoid mind-reading and fortune telling: I just know they are going to force me out of my job.Do you know that for sure? Push back on those thoughts that exist outside of observable data. If someone who is in the power position to actually let you go and they said: “Hey, your job is on the line.” Then you can take action on that observable data. Don’t create the drama and cast yourself as the main character. Get off the stage and camp on the observable data. ReviewThe Ladder of Inference
- Erase and Replace:Erasethe negative catastrophizing thoughts that are linked to uncertainty andreplacethem with what you ARE CERTAIN about in your life. The definition of certain is:known for sure; established beyond doubt, having complete conviction about something, confident. What do you know for sure, in spite of the uncertainty? What is established beyond doubt in your life? What do you have complete conviction about? When was a time in your life you felt uncertain about something, focused on what you where certain about and established confidence as a result of focusing on what you knew to be true about yourself, your life, your relationship with others and God?
When I went through advanced cancer and divorce at the same time, uncertainty was a constant resident taking up way too much landscape between my two ears. Perhaps that’s you today. Is there something in your life that is a constant source of uncertainty?
It got to the point where I knew that if I didn’t take every thought captive for life and healing that the battle would rage within my body and perhaps overcome me. I invite you to explore coming up with a battle cry as you run towards enemy lines…that which you feel is bigger than the strength of God within you to handle successfully.
Below are 3 battle cries that I wrote on big poster boards and would declare daily whenever uncertainty started to creep in:
- “God, you will fight for me, this shall not end in death.” (Exodus 14:14)
- “Not by might, not by power but by YOUR SPIRIT lies my victory.” (Zechariah 4:6).
- “No weapon formed against me will prevail.” (Isaiah 54:17).
- What is your battle cry that you will declare as you run into the storm, drive on the foggy road into the unknown?____________________________________________________
I still declare these frequently when the familiar uncertainty serpent slithers in and robs me of my God given ability to remember: God rescued me before and He will do it again.I would also declare my desired state of being in the form of a prayer, feel free to make this your own with your own situation that fuels uncertainty:
Thank You God For My Healing, Down to the Cellular Level, Thank You!
Remember, stress is the power YOU give to outside circumstances to define what YOU BELIEVE you are capable of handling successfully. Raise the bar today my friend and declare your battle cry towards victory over uncertainty. God is with you, all things are possible.
Want more depth and tools on this topic? Explore this weeks Edge God In Podcast:How to Be Certain in the Midst of Uncertainty.Gather up your available resources for solution…whatever you focus on GROWS BIGGER.
