Dealing with Uncertainty
It is crazy out there right now!
I turned on the news this morning and I regret it. My stomach hurts, I am worried, and I want to talk about all my fears and concerns with others. None of this is good and it is absolutely counter to what I preach in both my professional and personal life.
Companies hire me to help them deal with change – and one of the biggest parts of a change program is dealing with resistance and uncertainty. Change Management methodologies come up short on how to address uncertainty. However, years ago, I became certified in William Bridge’s program on Transition Management, which deals with the psychological adaptation a person experiences during change.
Right now, many companies and everybody I know is experiencing some pain in the second phase of a transition – The Neutral Zone – between The End and The Beginning. It’s tough, we are still feeling some of the loss of how it used to be without a clear picture of how it will be.
At work, here are ways that you can deal with this uncertain time:
Focus on “no regrets” work. What is something you can do now that will be beneficial no matter what happens?
Shorten your planning window. If you can’t plan for a month, what can you get done this week?
Invest in yourself. Take advantage of corporate learning and development offerings, set up a meeting with a mentor or find a mentor, or identify your five-year career goals.
Get involved. Ask how you can be involved in helping with the uncertainty or even how you can help increase morale. Maybe you can plan the next team building?
Manage your energy. Limit your exposure to negative talk and negative topics. Misery loves company and what you focus on will expand.
Increase appreciation and gratitude. Eighty-eight percent of people say that expressing gratitude to colleagues makes them feel happier and more fulfilled.
If you lead a team, go smaller. Instead of waiting for the formal meeting, have smaller and more meaningful discussions with your team. Let them talk while you listen.
At home, here are some ways that you can deal with this uncertain time:
Limit the News. Just because someone says it or has an opinion, doesn’t mean it is true. Look for information sources that round up the key topics in a factual way. Also, set your weather alerts. I recently got stuck in a snowstorm because I avoided the news.
Zoom out on your perspective. It is easy to focus on this crazy time and feel like the sky is falling (when the stock market is falling), but at every point in history, there has been crazy uncertainty in one way or another. Remember the Pandemic? We came out on the other side of that, and we will come out on the other side of this chaos.
Prioritize short-term. The uncertainty is making longer-term planning harder. Focus on what is in front of you. One day at a time, one week at a time.
Express gratitude. Make a list right now of all the great things in your life. You’ll feel better immediately. Stay with that feeling.
Have fun and laugh. There is compelling research that indicates laughter not only feels good, but it helps our stress levels. Studies have shown that regular laughter can reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels by over 30%.
Find your tribe. Look for and spend time with people who lift you up and make you excited for life. They will be there in good times and bad.
Does this resonate? We have an insightful and helpful workshop that gives participants the tools they need to regain control and navigate transitions.