Mindset lesson from the COVID-19 pandemic: Embrace uncertainty

#covid #pandemic #lockdown #mindset #uncertainty #positivity #selfhelp #personaldevelopment #mindboss #themindboss

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all of us. Some have unfortunately caught the virus. Some have tragically lost loved ones. Some have lost jobs or been negatively affected financially. Some are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing due to the drastic change in lifestyle. And all of us are bored out of our minds from the monotony of life and want things to go back to “normal”.

However, is there really any such thing as “normal”?

Not in our opinion. Yes, it is true that most of us have lived the majority of our lives in a pandemic-free world in which we could come and go as we pleased, which some may label as a "normal" life. However, even our pre-pandemic lives consisted of interruptions to regular life patterns, such as health issues, job issues, relationship issues, deaths and unexpected challenges.

The fact that most of us would have experienced some form of highs and lows in our pre-pandemic lives makes it difficult to describe our lives as ever having been “normal” in an absolute sense. Yes, the pandemic is one of the biggest lows we’ve ever experienced and it is anomalous in that sense, but it still falls into a pattern of highs and lows which have characterised many of our lives from the outset.

What the pandemic has therefore reiterated for us, is that life is full of uncertainty. This notion is naturally disconcerting, because we tend to crave certainty and fear uncertainty. We are creatures of habit who like to know what is going to happen, when and how, and we get disorientated when faced with bad surprises. Unfortunately, this doesn't change the fact that life is and will be uncertain in unwelcome ways. So how do we deal with this undesirable fact of life?

EMBRACE UNCERTAINTY RATHER THAN FEAR IT.

If we were able to make this mindset shift for the rest of our lives, we would be able to more easily transition from being in shock, denial and despair in the face of unwelcome uncertainty to being resourceful, solution-focussed and productive. The mindset shift of embracing rather than fearing uncertainty essentially involves operating from a baseline of “things will inevitably go wrong but I will always figure out a way forward” rather than “I will figure out a way forward and expect everything to go smoothly”. By doing this, we are able to limit our suffering when confronted with pain, whether it be losing a job, making a loss in business, being broken up with, experiencing issues with family and friends, receiving an unexpected diagnosis or losing someone close to you.

So how do we go about embracing uncertainty when we all crave some level of certainty for our sanity and so that we can plan? Try the following:

1. Have this as one of your mantras for life that is always in the back of your mind, even when things are going well: “Things will inevitably go wrong in life, but I will always figure out a way forward”.

This mantra will firstly remove the shock and fear element when you are faced with uncertainty, because you will be able to remind yourself that you always knew it wouldn't be plain sailing. Secondly, it is an empowering thought which will programme you to find a way through the difficulty you're in.

2. Ensure that your need for certainty is not only met by external factors which are less in your control (such as having a certain job, income or person in your life), but by simple things that are an inherent part of you or that form part of your daily routine.

By knowing what the simple things in life are that bring you certainty and acknowledging them as your anchors, you will always have certainty in the face of uncertainty and be less thrown off by the latter. It is important to truly value and be grateful for the simple things in life that give you structure and routine, because these help you keep it together when the external things we tend to value more, like jobs or people, let you down in some way. Examples of the simple things in life that can give you certainty are:

• love and support from family, friends or a partner - and remember that even if one person fails to meet your expectations, there are still others in your circle that you can rely on;

• your skills and qualities, which no one can take away from you;

• a gratitude journal, which can give you perspective, especially in tough times;

• cooking, which is a necessity of life but also an outlet for creativity and vehicle for satisfaction (we all love eating tasty food!);

• exercise, which gives us the strength and energy to weather difficult times and also reduces the likelihood of certain illness and diseases;

• reading, which gives us the certainty of expanding our knowledge; and

• your favourite drink, meal and TV show/movie, which can give you a sense of comfort regardless of what is going wrong in your life.

3. Meditate daily, even if only for 10 minutes. This will help you create a calm energy for yourself where you are centred and in a peaceful state, allowing you to be less reactive to life’s ups and downs and ready to find a solution to whatever circumstances you find yourself in.

4. When times are good, build up an uncertainty buffer.

Financially, this means save for a rainy day when your career or business is going well. Career-wise, be the best you can in your job or business, so that you’ve built up skills and experience if you ever have to transition or start over. Health-wise, make exercise a habit, eat healthily and invest in your wellbeing, in order to guard against potential health issues and to generally feel better. Relationship-wise, invest time in the good people in your life that deserve your attention - this will give you an authentic support system to help you through uncertain times.

5. Remember that night is always followed by day and Winter is always followed by Spring. When you’re going through a tough period in life, where you’re not sure how things will end up, trust that better days are ahead of you. It’s just the way life works.

If you, like so many people, are feeling deflated, demotivated or stuck at the moment because of the COVID-19 pandemic, please know you are not alone and book a free coaching clarity session with The Mind Boss to see how we can help.