Who Are You Becoming, Even in Uncertainty?

"Plans are useless, but planning is invaluable." ~Winston Churchill

The energy of uncertainty is palpable. We can't drive down a street without being visually inundated with reminders that we are on the precipice of one of the most significant choices of our time. We all feel the weight of the outcome of our choices, and the choices of others.

How do we stay grounded, centered, focused on what we can control, and even optimistic in extreme uncertainty?

My life's experiences have cultivated in me an ability to stay grounded, even in the midst of extreme chaos. Like resilience - which is the ability to bounce back from adversity - groundedness is a muscle that grows only through experience.

When we are grounded, we are able to be fully in the present moment and still look to the future through an optimistic lens. I find in my coaching work with leaders that building this muscle has become just as valuable as traditional leadership support, such as strategic planning.

This is a critical skill for life and for leadership.

Building Groundedness

Here are a few ways you can strengthen your own groundedness muscles to build immunity to the energetic impact of uncertainty.

Focus on your "sphere of control.

While we can't control external events, we can control:

• Our responses and reactions
• Where we direct our attention and energy
• Our daily routines and habits
• How we care for our physical and mental wellbeing
• The quality of our relationships

Create stability through structure.

This is huge for me. Here are a few things I do every day.

• Maintain consistent sleep/wake times
• Build in daily anchors like morning meditation, exercise, or journaling
• Break big uncertainties into smaller, manageable actions
• Set boundaries around news/social media consumption - a strict "content diet"

Practice acceptance of uncertainty.

Uncertainty and impermanence will always be core components of the human condition. There is freedom and power in releasing attachment to outcomes.

• Acknowledge that uncertainty is a natural part of life
• Notice when you're resisting what you can't control
• Focus on "what is" rather than a negative version of "what if"
• Use uncertainty as an opportunity to build resilience

Stay connected to meaning.

• Clarify your core values and let them guide your choices
• Look for opportunities to help others
• Maintain perspective on what truly matters to you
• Celebrate small wins and moments of joy

"Trust the Process"

"Trust the Process" often sounds like a cop-out... an attempt to put our heads in the sand and ignore the reality of what's happening. If you can lean into this mindset, you will become grounded in what is in front of you, and find comfort in the knowing that whatever unfolds, you will find within you the strength you need to move through it.

"Trusting the process" is having faith that even when you can't see the entire path ahead, each step you take - including the missteps and struggles - is teaching you something valuable and moving you forward. Like a seed growing underground, meaningful change often happens in ways we can't immediately see, but doing the right things consistently will lead to growth and progress in time.

Who Are You Becoming?

Every day, despite what is swirling around us, we have an opportunity to envision and declare who we want to be, and how we want to show up in the world. One of my most important inspirers of 25 years is my dear friend Marsha Ralls , who has overcome extreme adversity throughout her journey, and yet continues to evolve.

Her current challenge - and opportunity for rebuilding - is re-opening her retreat center The Phoenix Asheville in Asheville, NC. Watching Marsha face this daunting task with strength, compassion, a commitment to her entire community, and with an optimistic eye towards a better future has moved my heart, soul, and spirit.

My own circumstances have given me the challenges and opportunities to rebuild again and again. We can become bitter, or we can become better. The choice is always ours.

What is your vision for your life, beyond what you are facing right now? Will your challenges define you? Or will you define your challenges? Will you use them as a block to your future? Or a stepping-stone? The choice is always yours.

I am always grateful for your public and private comments to learn about how you navigate this gift of the journey of life. I would love to hear from you!

About the Author

Marissa is a 5x, 30-year entrepreneur, speaker, best-selling author, mindset expert, and globally recognized growth & spiritual strategist. She was one of Inc. Magazine's most read leadership columnists, and was recognized as one of the Top 200 Biggest Voices of Leadership globally for 2023.

Following the sale of her company Successful Culture International, Marissa launched Marissa International,?a global speaking, training, and coaching organization to help leaders live their most joyful lives and build their best companies. Marissa is passionate about educating and empowering leaders, teams, organizations, and communities. Reach out if you believe your people, members, and communities would benefit from guidance and wisdom to live a more empowered, conscious, and joyful life.

She is also CEO and co-founder of i5 Conscious Leadership,?a leadership education, coaching, and consulting firm. Through a robust leadership curriculum that educates leaders at all levels, i5 Conscious Leadership bridges self-consciousness and organizational consciousness for leaders that are committed to creating exceptional employee engagement and business growth. i5 serves the federal, commercial, and nonprofit sectors.