Stepping into and conquering the ……

How often have we heard the word – VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous)? I would like to tell you about this word that describes the persona of the ecosystem, we are a part of; but I wish to look at it from an emotional perspective, connecting our human side to this persona. 

How many of us, can, with all honesty say- “I am ok to step into the ‘unknown’”?

Most of you might have said ‘I can’ to my question however, whether you accept or live in-denial – even as you say this, deep within, you might feel the sensation of “butterflies in your stomach”! This anxiety stays with us, as we step into the ‘unknown’, as we are in it, as we are with it, as we are handling it and as we are working through it. 

Whether we succeed or not at this ‘unknown’, depends on many variables; the outcome depends on whether the ‘unknown’ exists in our professional or personal life. I also believe that we each deal with them a little differently. So, I will leave the point of outcome as #YourFoodForThought, as you begin reflecting on the times when you stepped into your ‘unknown’.

Let me share how I have learnt to work in these situations and make my butterflies vanish! 

I have learnt to have a structure either physically or mentally. Creation of this structure brings a sense of 'Aah… it’s my known territory!'. In the real world, ‘my known territory’ is almost non-existent. So, I either let go of my desire to have a structure, or take charge and create one, leading me to my goal and make the “butterflies vanish”! And I, willingly and knowingly step into the ‘unknown’.

Whatever our role, level, responsibilities - day-in, day-out, we face the ‘unknown’. The daily instances, let’s call them ‘operational’ for lack of a better word, are easier to get by. But there are these large, long-lasting unknowns that are like ‘black holes’!

Sometimes we emerge from them, happy & satisfied; and then there are times when we get sucked into their depths, their vast darkness… So, what do we do? I am going to leave that for another day and focus on sharing my learnings about what can one do better, do differently when faced with the ‘unknowns’. 

I first look at this through a professional lens. Reflecting on my experiences, my learnings are:

• ALWAYS believe in yourself. 
• Take responsibility. DO NOT let someone else ‘do the backseat driving’, for you. 
• Take a stand and if you are right, NEVER let go of it.
• Take a step outside the situation (not back); be an outsider; take a look. List down - what would your advice be to someone in that situation? You will find many, if not all, the answers.
• Get back behind the wheel and begin your little journey to success.
• And most importantly, give it your sincere best …ALWAYS!

 After all this, there would be times when things might not get better and you might not succeed. And that’s OK. All you need to do is pick up all the learnings and march ahead! And NEVER regret, because you gave it your best. Didn’t you? :)

Now, in personal life situations – These could be slightly delicate, right? Emotions run high. Here, it’s never a ‘one-size-fits-all’. We play multiple roles: The role of a parent, a partner, a spouse, a sibling, a friend. Would you stick to your guns or stand by your loved one and work through it together? Another #FoodForThought!

It’s never easy to do any of the above, when in the middle of an ‘unknown’! But these are the times, that test us, that give us our learning opportunities and that teach us what to do & what NOT to do!

Stepping into the ‘Unknown’ whether it is an astronaut stepping for the first time into a rocket which is about to launch OR a professional experiencing their first day at a new job or a new role OR a bride stepping for the very first time into her new home - the level of anxiety might be at equally and extremely high, but it is their ‘Unknown’ giving them their learning opportunity!

These are my precious takeaways shared from lessons from my life!

I am glad I experienced my ‘unknowns’ and am sure there more out there! I strongly believe that because of them - I have grown as a person & as a professional. I have learnt to be a little more sensitive, learnt to make better choices, learnt to say ‘no’ and learnt to hold onto the right group of people (family, friends, colleagues-turned-friends…) who make my life beautiful and who have made me the person I am! 

#MyLifeMyLearnings #2ML #LearningNeverStops #NotALifeCoach #VUCA #TheUnknown #SteppingIntoTheUnknown #ConquerTheUnknown