Dealing with Uncertainty: Insights from an Executive Coach
As 2023 draws to a close, it looks like 2024 might be a roller coaster of a year. From the specter of natural disasters fueled by global warming to the intriguing advances in AI, the world seems perched on the edge of uncertainty. Simultaneously, conflicts persist in various corners of the globe, and with the USA entering an election year, the stage is set for a whirlwind of change. How do we deal with so much uncertainty in this rapidly evolving landscape? Such calamity provokes stress and anxiety so that the fears prevent us from accessing our executive function skills. Rather than rise as executive and thought leaders, we cower and wait, avoiding decisions or impulsively taking action before the situation can change.
As an executive coach, what fears do I commonly see in my practice in times of uncertainty?
"I don't know": The fear of being perceived as incompetent or ignorant.
"Technology will replace me": The fear of becoming irrelevant or useless.
"I need more information": The fear of making the wrong decision.
"I need to make more money": The fear of scarcity.
At their core, these fears often translate to an underlying belief of not being good enough. But what if we dared to replace this fear with the empowering belief that we are, indeed, good enough? As Turbo Thinkers©, we tend to veer toward negative possibilities, occasionally to the point of catastrophizing. We often overlook the body of evidence before our very eyes that demonstrates our capabilities and our worth. In these moments of fear, reality, and facts may become obscured, preventing us from recognizing that we are, in fact, good enough. We can mine for this evidence anywhere from the distant past to the present day.
Moreover, we can replace these fears with a shift in mindset. For example, what if we embraced the not knowing? What if we could get excited about not knowing and shift to a curious mindset in which we become the explorer rather than the expert? What if we could replace the fear of technology with a love of learning? What if we could engage in collaboration with technology to feel empowered with agency rather than feel impotent? And when it comes to decision-making, what if we could get over our Turbo Thinker© perfectionism and embrace experimentation? What if we flipped from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, in which we welcome mistakes as learning opportunities with data for constant improvement? When we fear scarcity, what if we could adopt an abundance mindset? What if we could create wealth in a variety of forms? What if we could be time-rich? What if we could be love-rich, focusing on the passions and people that intrinsically motivate us?
While we don't have a crystal ball to tell us what lies ahead, we have strategies to navigate uncertain times with grace and joy. In my experience, high achiever Turbo Thinkers© often feel the need to control our environment to feel at peace when, in fact, the opposite is true. We can only control our own thoughts, behaviors, and actions- and not those of others. In moments saturated with negative emotions like stress, depression, or anxiety, grappling with self-regulation can make even self-control feel insurmountable. What if, instead of seeking control, we experimented with the idea of letting go? What if we leaned into a childlike sense of wonder and awe? What if we could be open to opportunity and amazement? 2024 might indeed be a roller coaster of a year. With the right shifts in mindset, we can turn it into an exhilarating ride filled with thrills and hope.