Uncertainty in Life and the Future

Uncertainty is an inevitable part of being human. Whether it is in your work life—getting laid off, your personal life—breaking up with a significant other—or your family—an unexpected death of a loved one—we all need to learn to deal with the uncertainty around us. For instance, here are a few helpful tips from the experts on uncertainty:

1. Understand that life is unpredictable.

Coming to terms with the fact that the only certain thing in this world, is that things are uncertain can help you be prepared for the unexpected. Being prepared, but not scared, can help you be more flexible when life throws you a curve ball.

2. Look at your locus of control.

Take a look at what things you can and cannot control in your life. If something falls under the category of “Internal Locus of Control” it means that you look at it from the perspective that you made the choice, or you made something happen. When you look at things with an External Locus of Control, it means that you have no choices, and things merely happen to you without your involvement. Identifying the parts of your life that you can control may help you cope better with the parts of your life that are out of your control.

3. Take a step back.

Use this time to figure out how you are actually feeling. Are you scared? Anxious? Angry? Take time to sit with that feeling, and neither give in to that feeling, or repress that feeling. Look at how this feeling is going to affect you and the situation at hand. Is it going to make things better for you? Or is it going to cause problems. Also take some time to establish what your goals, boundaries and priorities. A time of flux is also a time to implement new priorities, boundaries and goals.

4. Don’t live in fear.

Yes, change can be scary, but fear is a normal human reaction to the unknown, and a feeling that most people can relate to. You are allowed to be afraid, but don’t let that fear run your life. Think about how can you reframe the experience? Instead of approaching change as something to be afraid of, maybe change can mean opportunities that you never considered. Maybe losing your job means that you can finally find a job that you enjoy. Maybe moving to a new city is an opportunity to experience a new place, and meet new people. How you think about the change can have a huge impact on how the change affects you.

And if you can’t figure it out on your own, there are professionals (like us) to help guide you. You are still strong and valuable if you ask for help.