Top 5 tips to feel more comfortable with uncertainty (and why we need that?)

We spoke to the Urcentainty Experts to get cozier with this idea.

Whether it is a leap into entrepreneurship, a job change, or starting a side-hustle, uncertainty looms over us. Research shows that we are not as comfortable accepting this unknown feeling and would much rather reduce it.

Whether you consider yourself an aficionado of uncertainty in life or are trying to learn to love it a little more like myself, I hope you can use both these insights from our scientific experiment and tips from my toolbox to better deal with and feel more empowered by your own uncertainty.??

1. Reframe your fear

Ask yourself, what are the costs of giving in to fear, what missed opportunities might those fears lead to? Write it down if it helps and when you weigh them up, what’s really worse - fear or regret?

When we put this to the test, 80% of our Uncertainty Experts audience said their greatest fear was failure; yet 85% said they regret they most wanted to avoid was missed opportunity.?

Once they’d reframed their fears against the risk of regret, by the end of the show, 90% said they wanted to embrace uncertainty.

Ask yourself: what are the costs of giving in to fear, what missed opportunities might those fears lead to? Write it down if it helps and when you weigh them up, what’s really worse - fear or regret?

?2. Adversities become superpowers

What do all superheroes have in common? Well, it’s not a cape, it’s an origin story and the same is true of us.?

Adversity is something we all experience at one point in our lives and the way we respond to challenging situations can influence how successful we are. This is because our brains are programmed to look for patterns, which means they often dwell on our past mistakes or misfortunes. But if we can learn how to reframe and put a positive spin on these adversities then we can turn them into opportunities for success.

Ask yourself: what are the greatest adversities that you’re proudest to have overcome? What are the best lessons (or powers) you’ve gained from the times you thought you’d enjoyed the least?

?3. Recognise your Negativity Bias

Our brains detest ambiguity and have an inherent bias towards negativity. This means that more than you think, many of your thoughts are pessimistic.

Don’t believe me? Make a mental list of the things you worry about. If you’re like most people, you’ll notice that negative images and thoughts dominate your mind.

These constant doubts can be draining, of our 60,000 thoughts a day, 85% are negative and yet less than 3% of our worries ever come true - many of which we often handle better than expected.?

Ask yourself: rather than dwell on the negatives, can you focus on possible positive outcomes and silver linings? This helps calm your anxiety and over time builds your confidence.

4. Broaden your circle

Talking with other people (and listening to them) triggers the release of oxytocin, which is a feel-good chemical that helps you relax.

But if you want to level up and push anxiety down, widen your circle to include different world views. Your brain absorbs other people’s experiences, widening your perspective and increasing your patience.

Ask yourself: are you at your best on your own, or with others? And how do you go about making friends with people you might enjoy disagreeing with?

5. Channel your anxiety

If you have anxiety, you’re not alone. According to ONS data, over half the UK is experiencing anxiety. However, science shows that sharing your anxiety will give you more control over it - any feelings of shame will be reduced by the acknowledgement you’ll find in others.

That’s why The Uncertainty Experts encourage speaking openly about your experiences.

Ask yourself: what are you comfortable sharing about your anxieties? Try it out, even on social media. The next time anxiety knocks, don’t keep it to yourself.

Uncertainty is the biggest driver of anxiety, and of creativity! We can’t control uncertainty, but we can train our brain to increase its response to it. Like a muscle, small regular exercises or experiences in uncertainty will lead to greater mental adaptiveness, and less likelihood to be thrown off course by the world's ever-changing events.

Rip up your routine, order something you never try, take a route home you never have. If you can surprise yourself regularly, you will develop your mental strength.

Find out more about the Uncertainty Experts here