13. On Uncertainty & Living in Not Knowing (A Solo Episode)
Overview
On another solo episode, I share some thoughts on a topic that has come up a lot over the last year during the pandemic… And that is the concept of living in not knowing. What does “living in not knowing” even mean? It means living in uncertainty. Not being clear on a path, say, or having the answer. It’s a weird liminal state. The challenge is that we are wired to want to know. We want certainty. And, when we don’t have that, it causes consternation and stress.
Why is this important to the concept of Sustainable Ambition? Because I talk about the idea of crafting a career to support your life from decade to decade, which implies we will go through many transitions over the course of our adulthood. And it’s in transitions, that we live in moments of uncertainty and not knowing. During such times, we can often feel unmoored and unclear.
In this episode, I share 15 lessons on what I’ve learned through my own experiences to survive and thrive during uncertainty and growth stages. I hope my sharing of these insights and tools that have provided me with guidance and relief can help you in finding some peace, as well as enrichment and joy, as we all wade through this time of uncertainty. Because in the end, while periods of not knowing have been some of the toughest for me, they’ve also been some of the most enriching of my life. I wish the same for you.
Topics Covered
What is it to live in a state of uncertainty and not knowing?
What’s a path forward to get through challenging times of not knowing?
15 Lessons ( insights or actions) to survive and thrive during uncertainty and growth stages that fall under 4 core stages:
Stop & Orient
Resource
Attune & Analyze
And finally, Act, Learn, & Grow
Stop & Orient
1. Acknowledge & inquire
2. Get grounded
Resource
3. Build resilience
4. Pause
5. Seek wisdom and guidance
6. Build your support system
7. Lower your anxiety
8. Be kind and compassionate to yourself
Attune & Analyze
9. Do the work
10. Surrender
11. Follow your curiosity and attention
Act, Learn, and Grow
12. Take the next step
13. Reframe failure
14. Look for alignment
15. Be motivated by growth and learning
Resources Mentioned
Read the article, “A Guide to Living in Not Knowing”: https://thriveglobal.com/stories/a-guide-to-living-in-not-knowing/
Find the Decade by Decade Horizon Map tool in our Mid-Career Itch Workbook: https://sustainableambition.com/midcareer-itch-2
Learn more about David Allen’s Horizons of Focus model
Learn more about Dr. Rick Hanson and find his podcast here: “Being Well” podcast
Learn How to Take a Pause of Different Lengths: https://sustainableambition.com/how-to-sabbatical-blog/2020/7/5/5-how-to-sabbatical-on-different-time-frames
Books of note on living in not knowing: “When the Heart Waits,” by Sue Monk Kidd, “Transitions” by William Bridges, and “Comfortable with Uncertainty,” by Pema Chödrön.
Podcasts of note that are worth a listen: Oprah’s Super Soul Conversations, The Pivot Podcast with Jenny Blake, and Being Well with Dr. Rick Hanson
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13. On Uncertainty & Living in Not Knowing (A Solo Episode)
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