Chances are if you are human, you have had moments of uncertainty in life. It’s a cornerstone of the human experience. While some find excitement in the unknown others, find it daunting, and anxiety-inducing. During times of uncertainty, it is important to assess and determine what is within your control to affect for good and what is not. Obsessing over what you cannot change, will only cause more anxiety. Shifting focus and directing your energy towards what you can control can help create a sense of calm.
Here are four simple steps to help turn moments of uncertainty into opportunity by focusing on what you can control.
1. Set a solid routine for yourself
2. Set goals for yourself
3. Invest in self-awareness
4. Be selfless & generous
Setting a routine
If you are dealing with uncertainty, and experiencing feelings of insecurity, consider establishing a routine for yourself, particularly at the beginning and the end of the day. Establishing a routine gives you certainty because it’s something you know will happen in a habitual and consistent, unvarying way. Research studies have proven that having a routine can also improve your stress levels, sleep, and overall health. A routine does not have to be boring. It can be a good way of incorporating times of creativity and fun into your life. Routine can also be very helpful with goal-setting. 
Setting goals and following through
Setting goals is another great way of eliminating uncertainty because it forces decisiveness. Effective goal setting means establishing timelines and concrete actions that will help you achieve your goals. Taking the time to write out why the goal is important, how you will measure success, and what action steps you will take towards a particular goal will exponentially help you achieve that goal. So dust off your journal or find a new one that you like and begin to write out some of the things you would like to accomplish. Lastly, consider what action steps you need to take to achieve these goals and incorporate them into your routine.
Invest in self-awareness.
Our third suggestion to consider when creating certainty in times of uncertainty is to find ways to better yourself and increase your self-worth. The value of investing in self-awareness is that when you understand yourself, your subconscious actions, and your way of thinking, you can pay attention to take quick corrective action. When you catch yourself indulging in negative self-talk or self-destructive patterns, you can not only become aware but also take self-policing actions. To increase self-awareness, consider the following actions:
-
Read books on personal finance, mental health, nutrition, or any other area of your life where more factual information will help build a deeper understanding.
-
Tune into podcasts by credible individuals. These are great free resources to learn more and activate critical thinking. There are millions out there for every subject and can be very inspiring for whatever it is that you are looking to get out of this experience.
-
If possible, seek professional counseling or therapy.
-
Establish a daily journaling habit
-
Practice meditation daily.
-
Take a break from social media. The possibilities are truly endless.
Have faith in yourself, and be kind to yourself by pushing yourself to be better.
Be selfless and generous
Our last thought to consider is to be selfless & generous, seeking ways to bring certainty into the lives of others. If you are a parent, guardian, or caretaker, there is no doubt that you are already doing this, but is there any way you can push the envelope a little farther? Is there a way that you could create a bit more comfort for someone else? In times of uncertainty, human nature can default to extreme self-preservation actions, which can cause overthinking and anxiety. However, taking the time to think about others and how to help someone else will help change the perspective and the negative narrative that your subconscious is trying to create.
