As humans, what scares us the most is the unknown. We like to feel in control and we feel uncertainty robs us from being in control. Moving forward and reaching goals in an uncertain environment comes in 3 steps: Acceptance, Assessment, and Setting an action plan

1. Acceptance

Embracing the idea that nothing external is really in our control is liberating. The pressure created from this idea limits us and drifts our focus from what really matters. However, we should also know that the only thing we can completely control is our reaction. Acting as enablers instead of reactors opens infinite possibilities in front of us and helps us turn any situation to our advantage.

During this pandemic, accepting that it is impossible to go down to the office, and looking as the situation from a positive perspective will make it easier for us to use this time towards productive activities, and things we want to do and have been postponing for a while, whether it’s working out, learning to play a new instrument or starting a side-business.
In order to be in control of our reaction, we should avoid panic and look as rationally as possible at the complete situation.

2. Assessment

The average person has around 70,000 thoughts per day. It is very important not to get lost between thoughts, losing focus from what the problem really is, and how we can solve it.

One very helpful tip would be to write down the things we feel we’re not in control of, and on the other side, all the things we feel we are in control of. Being aware of our thoughts, and transforming them into words makes us understand what really scares us, and therefore helps us control how we react to this fear. The root of uncertainty is the fear of failure, and by stating the things we are in control of, which are our actions, how we divide our time, our routines and our habits; we realize that we can do much more than we think to improve our situation.

3. Setting an Action Plan

After accepting the extent to which we can control external elements, and that we have assessed the things we feel in control of, our strengths and our weaknesses, it is much easier to set an action plan that can bring us closer to our objectives.

Setting Goals

Setting short-term and long-term goals that match our vision helps us track our progress, and staying motivated towards our journey. Having personal goals gives us something to look forward to, as well as accountability to change our situation, instead of being pushed around by external factors we cannot control.

Moving Forward

Now is the time to connect the dots: matching your strength and weaknesses to actions according to your goals. What seemed at first as an unknown and unstable situation suddenly feels clearer. Someone who saw his business come to a stop during the pandemic would have identified his weakness in digital marketing, a set a short-term goal to open a social media account and selling his products online. This shift in perspective turned a “dead-end” situation to an opportunity of improvement.

Ready to start moving forward?