5 Minutes on Three Practices for Living in Uncertainty

Our brains don’t like uncertainty.

When we really can’t know the future, our negativity bias fills our brains with predictions of danger, increasing our worry and anxiety. 

We’ve all had practice with uncertainty. Whether it’s personal or political, health related, climate change, war, economic hardships, global pandemics, or something else, uncertainty has always been and is increasingly part of our daily lives. 

But we can’t live in worry and anxiety. 

Complexity theory points us towards three practices that help in times of increased uncertainty and chaos. They might seem deceptively simple but don’t let that fool you. These tools really help. 

Three practices to help yourself and your teams during times of uncertainty:

1. Cultivate presence and stay grounded.

It’s no coincidence that articles about uncertainty and chaos often focus on your nervous system. I’ve written about it at least three times in the last 6 months, including here.

When you are present and grounded you are able to adapt and learn - critical qualities for acting and leading in uncertainty. 

As Joel Monk, from Coaches Rising, put it, “If you are able to find your center - to stay grounded and present amidst uncertainty - then you begin to build a crucial capacity … the ability to adapt. “

Often in uncertainty we are compelled to figure everything out RIGHT NOW. We want to cope with the discomfort of not knowing by figuring it all out. 

When you are present and grounded, you are better able to sit with the discomfort of not knowing. You might even be able to embrace the not knowing. But at the very least, you’ll be less prone to jump to easy answers and quick fixes.

You can download my PDF on resetting your nervous system HERE. 

2. Practice Adaptive Action

Adaptive Action is a tool you and your teams should know and practice. It’s a way of planning that promotes learning, and helps you determine what you know and choose next steps in an iterative process. 

I love Adaptive Action, so if you’ve worked with me, or taken a training with me, you’ve likely heard me talk about it. It follows the format of  What? So What? Now What?

You can read more from the Human Systems Dynamics Institute here. 

In the meantime, here’s a little primer on Adaptive Action:

Start with What? What do we know? What have we learned so far? At this stage we gather, non-judgmentally, all that we already know about the problem in front of us. 

So What? At this stage we make meaning of our observations and learnings from the What? Stage. We ask questions like: So, what is most important right now? What has the most tension or energy behind it? What do we wonder about but don’t know yet?

Now What? At this stage we figure out our next action step or steps (not too many). We go try those and then come back and start the Adaptive Action cycle over again.

One thing to know about Adaptive Action is that it takes presence and grounding to really work.

3. Implement Shorter Action Planning Cycles

The greater the uncertainty, and chaos, you are encountering, the shorter your action planning cycles should be.  

In times of real stress this could mean streamlining your planning to simple daily plans. This could be individual or as a team. 

During the ICE surge in Minnesota I used daily action planning that looked like this: 

1. What do I need to do to stay present today?
   
   For me this looked like exercise, connecting with a loved one, and being in nature. Consider what self-care you need to stay present.
   

2. What is the most important thing to accomplish today?
   
   Sometimes this was helping neighbors impacted by the ICE surge and sometimes it was often a priority work action that had to get done even amidst the chaos.
   

3. What is one thing I can do to support someone else today? 
   
   How can you help others and contribute to a flourishing healthy world? How can you get or stay connected to others? Sometimes this was giving someone a safe ride to work. Other times it was donating to my local food bank. Sometimes it’s as simple as checking in with someone or meeting a new neighbor.
   

4. What am I grateful for today?
   
   End your day with a reflection that helps you stay grounded and present.
   

5. Next Day - repeat

The circumstances of your uncertainty might vary. But the formula remains the same. 

These three practices, when truly put into action, can buoy you and your team during times of uncertainty. Take a few minutes now, on your own or with your team, and consider: 

What practices help me stay present and grounded?

Where can I implement Adaptive Action for iterative planning cycles?

How long should my action planning cycles be right now to meet the uncertainty of the moment?