Would you prefer to live in a world where things were more certain? That wouldn’t be much fun. Without uncertainty how would you learn to make your ideas blossom? Why not embrace it?
Don’t get me wrong. Uncertainty is a source of distress that can cause worry and anxiety. And dealing with these emotions aren’t fun at all.
You’re keenly aware that there’s a future and the unknown nature of it can be a little spooky for some of you.
Fear of making decisions with very little information
Anxiety of pitching your idea to your husband or accountant
Apprehensiveness about quitting your 9-5
Nervousness about starting a blog
Worry about making enough money
Maybe you’ve felt these emotions because of uncertainty. It certainly has a way of affecting us, wouldn’t you agree?
I recently read an article that shed some light on the science behind uncertainty and our tolerance for dealing with it. Here’s some of what I learned
- We’d rather deal with the unpleasant expected than the unpleasant unexpected.
- Uncertainty seems to be the underlying cause for all types of anxieties, from low-grade everyday worries to more serious clinical issues
- We all have different tolerance for uncertainty.
For the most part, I have a higher tolerance for uncertainty when I have an idea that I’m passionate about (but if I think it’s going to be hard, I have other issues). I approach the idea rather than avoid it. I wanna fight for it, even though I have no clue how it’ll turn out.
What about you? Do you think you have a high tolerance for uncertainty about ideas that you’re passionate about? Complete this exercise to explore your relationship with uncertainty.
One of the ways that we can approach uncertainty is to seek advice from others, which actually ties to one of the secrets that I’ve shared in 4 Secrets to Make Your Ideas Blossom. Having a team of trusted advisers may help you overcome its negative effects, gain clarity, and take action.
I’ve encountered a few “she-roe” business owners on my journey toward making my ideas blossom who’ve shared with me how they’ve grappled uncertainty in their businesses. I asked them:
How did you overcome uncertainty when you started launching your business idea?
Here’s what they said:
Dr. Nadia Brown
CEO of Doyenne Leadership Institute and Author of Leading Like a Lady: How to Shatter Your Inner Glass Ceiling
I overcame uncertainty by continuing to try new things. I would try something and realize it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Joining a mastermind group also helped. I had a group of women who not only understood me, but were also “crazy” enough to believe in my big dreams too. That was priceless!
Penny Parker
Founder of Wow-Cookies – The Most Decadent Cookie & Brownie Gifts Ever!
I’m not sure! I just kept studying each roadblock and when I found a solution to one, I just moved on to the next. Many times, these decisions included debt, and loss of personal time. Feeling unique with issues of age and qualifications completely locked me out of continuing with my 35 year career. I can’t tell you how helpless I felt knowing that I could not rely on past contacts or networks. That life was over. Reinventing myself to address the world on my terms was probably the single most important element of overcoming that uncertainty. It was either ‘launch’ or ‘lock-down’ my own initiative and creativity. I truly KNEW I could do it! Wasn’t easy…the first three years were a mess. Much to learn, many mistakes. So happy I had the resources to hang-in-there over the long-run.
Sandy Rees
Founder and Chief Encouragement Officer
In the beginning, I didn’t know if I could make my business work or not, and I did a lot of second-guessing (sometimes still do!).I trained myself to look for the positive signs – the little things that showed me how things were working out in my favor. It might be that someone I admire in my field started following me on Twitter or that I got an invitation to speak at an event that I respected. They were little things, and some days I’d cling to them desperately, especially when everything else seemed to be crumbling.
Vicky Trotter
Owner, Trotter Dry Cleaners
You have to believe in the idea in your head in order to bring into this physical reality. Fear, doubt and worry are dream killers, because they are really a mirror of your belief in your ability to execute your dream. Choose your affiliations cautiously. ry to surround yourself with positive people (they are mirrors too); people who believe you can make it happen and will help- or at the very least, not block your efforts.
Brianna McInerny
Coach and Healer, Brianna McInerny Coaching
https://www.facebook.com/briannamcinerny
I overcome uncertainty by accepting that it’ll always exist, and by trusting my ability to make the right decisions for myself. I doubt I’ll ever have the power to see the future, so I try not to spend time worrying about it. The only thing I’m ever sure of is my own intuition – and that’s how I battle uncertainty. I always trust that if I follow my intuition, I’ll end up exactly where I need to be.
What lesson(s) about uncertainty did you draw from these examples? Do you have lessons that you’d like to share with the GoneGirlGo community? How did the exercise help you? Please share in the comments below or the GoneGirlGo Facebook page. You can also email me at zoe@gonegirlgo.
Before I sign off, I wanna remind you to sign up for the masterclass that I’m offering with my friend, Leslie Hassler of Your Biz Rules ™. We’ve teamed up to help you take the steps toward making your business idea blossom!
Register now for Idea to Profit: Can Your Baby Make You Money? on Thursday, August 18th at 7:00 pm EST.
In this Masterclass, you will learn how to …
- Dispel the 3 biggest lies you are telling yourself that keep you playing small
- Use the Idea Clarity Tool to discover which ideas to focus on
- Pick the right business model
- NOT fail in this venture
We’d be so glad to have you join us!
This was very refreshing, seeing as though I recently started a project named Purpose is Pushing Me. I had/have so many doubts, but reading things like this really assist me in my decision to stay focused and live and walk in my purpose. This was brilliant, and very informative. I love how you showcased so many women who without a doubt had some uncertainty. I think I will use this format for an upcoming blog.
We are all in the same boat Chrissy…doubt, fear, apprehension…we can’t let it get the best of us and deter us from what we’ve been assigned to do while on earth. I’m excited about your project. I’ll be sure to check it out!!! And let me know how I can possibly support! Thanks for commenting!! 🌺