The best stories are the ones that leave you on the edge of your seat, uncertain of what’s to come, and wanting more. Think of the last show you binged or book you couldn’t put down — we get hooked because of the tension of what might happen. However, in real life when we are that main character facing the same uncertainty, it’s much less appealing.
As Denise Withers wrote in her book Story Design:
Most of us hate the idea of starting a project and not knowing what the resolution will be — what we’re going to produce or how our own quest will turn out. We’re very uncomfortable with this kind of ambiguity — and naturally risk-averse. That’s why we always want to leap to a solution — why we dislike spending time exploring and defining the problem, testing ideas. We’d much rather assume that we know the problem and solution and just get on with it already!
If you can relate, you’re not alone. Neuroscientific studies have shown that uncertainty has a significant affect on our on brain - how we think, process, and react. Although people have varying levels of tolerance for uncertainty and ambiguity, it can lead to stress, anxiety, and impact how we make decisions. From an evolutionary perspective, our brains are wired to reduce uncertainty and avoid fear of what’s unknown because of the excessive cognitive load it places on our functioning working memory.
Despite the levels of fear — real and imaginative — that uncertainty unlocks, working through the unknown can lead to new breakthroughs, opportunities, and successes. For every negative outcome we imagine, a positive future exists, as well.
Pending fears of uncertainty are not kryptonite, but instead a powerful fuel. Challenging yourself to work through the fear of what is unexpected or unexperienced leads to learning new lessons and mental models for future problem solving. Essentially, it becomes less scary the next time around.
I admit that I usually operate with a level of anxiety — it’s easy to worry about all the things that could go wrong or anticipate something not being as perfect as I hoped. The higher the stakes, the more my executing strengths go to their raw state of overplanning and overthinking all the to-dos. On the flip side, this level of fear also prevents complacency and causes me to constantly push my boundaries to grow. Effectively tapping into my reaction to fear is a way to reimagine my operational strengths in a way that positively serves me. What if fear was not meant to be avoided, but instead a tool of motivation?
The butterflies or nerves you get before going on a roller coaster or stepping on stage for a big performance might not be negative. Natural reactions to fear and uncertainty are not indicators to avoid something that seems scary and unknown. Instead, being aware of and recognizing your own response to fear can open up opportunities and perspectives that help you operate at the highest level of your true self.
What is an unexpected fuel for you? How do you react in the face of uncertainty? How can your fears serve as motivation? What should you tap into more?
LEADERSHIP
Improv for Employee Development 👍
Register Here for Feb. 13
Improv is a great way to develop confidence, increase the ability to innovate, and heighten communication (and listening) skills. During this free webinar on February 13, Alexia Vernon - entrepreneur, speaking coach, and former improv instructor at CUNY - will teach you how to use improv-inspired activities to develop your team’s communication and leadership skills. From icebreakers to team building and training, you’ll walk away with tools you can use both face-to-face and virtually that fit your organizational culture. Bring your “yes, and” attitude, and get ready to learn how you can better empower others to speak up and contribute.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
The Product Market Fit Show 🧩
Listen Here
For startups and founders, product-market fit helps you go from 0 to 1, which is ultimately the goal. This podcast explores the path to finding product-market fit. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear real founding stories with real examples that you can take and replicate for your own company’s success.
INNOVATION
Navigating the Future of SEO 🔍
Register Here for Feb. 15
As search engine usage and algorithm updates continue to shape the digital landscape, staying ahead in SEO is more critical than ever. Join growth consultancy Red Caffeine for their next Business as ‘Un’usual event on February 15 and explore the trends and tech shaping SEO in 2024 and beyond. From strategies and content optimization, to AI and machine learning, you’ll walk away with cutting-edge digital marketing knowledge and skills.
CULTURE
How To Use Employee Experience Surveys to Power Your People Strategy 🔋
Watch Here
Watch this free on-demand webinar with Mark Joslyn, the VP of Human Resources and Information Technology of Trek Bicycles, captures an insightful conversation on how to utilize surveys to impact your strategy and culture. Although it’s focused on their use of the Great Place to Work survey, the lessons are applicable beyond that. Learn how to improve the effectiveness of surveys to better impact management and accountability through transparency, all while preserving company culture.
*One nugget that really stuck with me was Mark’s take on a survey’s participation rate and how it measures and reveals the extent to which trust exists.
PERSONAL GROWTH
#Write24in24 📝
Learn More Here
Whether you want to boost your productivity, creativity, mindfulness, self-knowledge, or something else, consistency for building habits and seeing progress is key. Author and happiness expert Gretchen Rubin has posed an interesting challenge for the new year with her #Write24in24; she’s encouraging people to build a writing routine by writing 2-4 minutes each day or for 24 minutes each day. You don’t need to be a writer to try this!
Whether it’s writing a simple to-do list or journaling, all the way to writing letters of gratitude or a published blog, Gretchen offers many examples for how you can get outside your comfort zone and develop a new communication skill along the way.