A Guide for When Things Are Uncertain

When you feel your vision is clouded, that your senses are heightened, and that you can't seem to tap-in to that intuition that you normally rely on, you can easily be overcome with anxiety. We have all been there (and will likely, at some point, be there again!). I am going to share my strategy when life is unclear, through the lens of my own experience. I will be sharing excerpts from my personal journal throughout, so you will get insight into the way I perceived events.

A Journey into the Unknown

Some pretext for this guide. I love to be in nature, and I believe some of the best understandings and pieces of wisdom I have been able to acquire, have come to me on my excursions into the environment. For the excerpts from my journal, it is April 6th, 2023, and I am halfway down the winding road of Shark Valley Loop. In the middle of the grass-river wilderness at the Florida Everglades, sitting on a solitary bench. I had been walking for probably about 4-5 miles at that point; it was hot, as a North Carolinian, I consistently underestimate how hot it gets in Florida in the Spring! Worse yet, the trail is 8 miles, in one direction to the observation tower, and then you have to go back! There was a tram to take people around the loop, but I can't say no to an opportunity to push my body to its limits. I don't remember what time it was when I sat down to write, but I do know that the tram closes at a certain time!

Things usually start easy...

When we have a new project, a new skill we would like to learn, a new relationship, things usually start easy. The work might be hard, and possibly unknown, but you're a seasoned veteran, so you know your first steps already! Who do I need to talk to, who needs to come into my sphere of influence, what milestones do we want to set, who are our customers? You ask yourself these questions like second nature. Things start to move in the direction you are hopeful for, or if not you at least have a good plan in place. At this point, we are still operating in our safe routine; things are energetic, perhaps excitement in the air about this new endeavor. New pieces of information, new people you meet on this quest are like wonderful surprises in your day.

As I sit here, a gentle breeze flows, cooling my skin that has thus far been drenched in Florida Sun. I set my gaze on the vast open expanse of the Everglades. Pockets of land are swamp-like, dotted with a wide range of flora; grasses; cattails, hemlocks, pines and the like. The most exquisite flowers blossom infrequently, cutting the brown and green dichotomy with hues of pink, lavender, reds, yellows, and whites.

...until you realize, you aren't as sure as you thought.

The car breaks down, the client cancels their contract, layoffs are imminent, your bills have gone up. To normal people, just reading those things gave you anxiety. Let's get a little more anxious; HR schedules a meeting with you with no pretext, your kids come back home with poor grades on their report card, your loved one made a face that screamed "the dinner you just made was not that good". Things usually start easy until you realize you aren't as sure as you thought. You aren't as safe as you thought. Uncertainty begins to surround you and your decision making. Perhaps you have become paralyzed in your routine, unable to move forwards or backwards (thank goodness). However inaction also comes at a cost.

On the same plain, entire segments lie completely parched. Devoid of anything living. The ferocious kings in this part, the alligators, lurk beneath the surface of the water, pitch black, ready to strike the unsuspecting trespasser. I contemplate what insight can be gleamed from this magnificent beauty

Navigating Uncertainty Starts With Accepting This One Truth:

Life, the universe, is uncaring to the needs of its inhabitants. By chance, it chooses whom to give life, and for whom to take it away. It allows us the veil of autonomy, while secretly plotting our very destruction. It is both generous and maleficent; greedy, unforgiving, and yet the most remarkable incantation. It neither cares, nor frets, but rather rewards wholly and completely.

Uncertainty is an inherent part of life, not something to be afraid of, but rather to be prepared for. Any system of belief, has faith as its number one guiding block; and interestingly enough, faith in the ability for you to overcome any obstacle is the key to navigating uncertainty. We cannot control by life. It is fickle and dastardly in that it frequently denigrates those that we feel deserve it all, while rewarding those who we think don't deserve it. What we can control, is the ability to react accordingly and to wake up and tackle the next day.

That is the beauty of uncertainty! Things could hit a brick wall tomorrow, and then magically put itself back together the next day. You could win the lottery, a speaking gig, a lifetime supply of salmon, and then lose your job all in the same week. The common denominator through it all, is that you will come back stronger after every failure and success alike. Uncertainty, like everything, exists in duality with certainty. You cannot have one without the other, they are both inevitable.

If I could gather one clue from my trip, it is that all things exist in duality. Good and evil, joy and suffering, life and death. It may seem cliche but I continuously remind myself, as we all should, can one truly appreciate life if they had not witnessed death? Do all of the pleasures pf the world mean anything to one that has never had wants or needs that went unfulfilled? How joyous are the moments in which you cannot cease smiling, if pain and suffering have never wrought you to your core?

Leading with the end in mind...

Just remember where you want to end up. What is your ultimate goal, or why, for this endeavor you are working on? I liken uncertainty and goals to a treasure map. The map has a general outline, the known, for where you are and where the treasure, the goal, is relative to you. However you must encounter the unknown in order to reach it. Life will knock you off of your path, and it is up to you to stand up, gather your breath, and focus on where you are headed. You will be a successful business owner, mother or father. You will make this breakthrough, or land that client, of convince these investors. For me, on my journey, I knew that I just needed to make it to the observation tower. That was my goal, and all my strength was going to be put towards that!

... leads to incredible results!

After 8 miles to the observation tower, I was relieved to see what looked like civilization. Except, when I got there, it was completely empty, devoid of anyone. I made my way to the top of the tower, exhausted to gather the view. It was beautiful, expansive, and I was sure I was going to die if I had to walk back! I sat to myself in peace and reflection. I had made it to my goal, I knew what to expect for next time, I thanked my body for bringing me this far. I struggled to stand up, to begin to walk back; it was nearing 6:00 PM, and I was sure everything was closed. I don't remember if my battery was about to die or not, but things were not looking good.

With my eyes still closed I heard the hiss of brakes from the tram. Shocked, I turned around to see a group of about 15 people getting off of a tram to walk up the observation tower. The sounds of people elated my spirits, as I made my way down, past the aweing tourists, straight to the driver. I asked if I could hitch a ride, she said sure, and that this was the very last tram of the day. What luck! I could have shirked my responsibility and curiosity to play it safe, because I feared the uncertain, but I did not.

You don't know how close you are teetering to the edge of breakthrough. Your lucky break could come tomorrow and yet you quit today for fear of the unknown?

"Things usually start easy until you realize that you aren't as sure as you thought. Leading with the end in mind leads to incredible results. Navigating uncertainty starts with accepting this one truth." - Robert Hall

With that I will leave you with my final thoughts from my journal entry that day:

I came to the grass river to disconnect. To reach within myself without distraction. My mind has continuously wandered throughout my trek, but alas, I finally feel it retreating to silence. This vast wilderness, sitting amongst the technocratic metropolis of Miami, has brought me, at least temporarily, peace.

If you enjoyed these insights and want to explore more topics on purpose, personal development, and navigating the professional world, be sure to check out my podcast, Pathways and Purpose, available on YouTube. There I dive into everyday problems with a philosophical undertone, offering practical advice and thought-provoking discussions. You can also follow me on Instagram, Youtube, X, and Tik Tok @ChrisHallOfficial. Join the conversation and let's grow together!