How to Deal with Uncertainty at Work

The workplace has changed. With so much uncertainty in the workplace, it feels like life is tough. I believe there is hope.

Here are 5 tips that might help you on how to deal with uncertainty at work:

1. Accept the craziness

Understand that your place of work will have lots of changes. It’s a simple hard truth. Every single business is going through a massive change. From the way small businesses have changed to the disruption and change affecting big companies to the way the technology is constantly disrupting and reshaping big industries.

Change and uncertainty have become the new norm.

Don’t be surprised with chaos at work.

It will happen. No one is immune from the up and down cycles especially during an unpredictable economy. People will change, the nature of work will be different and the way your place of work is organized will be different. Things you didn’t expect will likely happen because no one can predict the future.

By FULLY ACCEPTING the chaos, change and disruption at work, we can start to shift how we deal with it.

2. Focus on what you can control

It’s hard to focus on work when everyone around you is waiting for the next shoe to drop. But instead of waiting for that ‘shoe’, why not do something? If you’re not interested in leaving your job and are trying to deal with uncertainty within the same place, then find a project that you can do and just do it. Throw yourself into your specific goal and do it really, really well. Move forward and start working on something that you CAN control.

If you’re thinking about making a career move, then go ahead and start sending out those resumes, make those calls or put out those feelers. Don’t waste your time going around the gossip mill. Stop trying to predict what’s going to happen next. You can’t. Get busy with doing something meaningful – something useful - something you have control over.

3. Try Something New - Take Action

Dealing with uncertainty at work can make you feel lost sometimes. We’ve all seen people who are ‘checked out’ walking around like zombies with no life inside of them because of so much change and chaos at work. I’ve been there and it’s tough because many of us feel let down. Others are lost in their own mind because of overanalyzing what to do next.

By actually going out and trying something completely new, you’ll be sending positive signals to yourself and to those around you that you’re resilient. You’ll demonstrate an exterior that says, “I have ideas and am throwing stuff on the wall”.

Also trying new things allows you to feel like you’re progressing…not sitting there and sulking and waiting for something to happen. Getting out of limbo land and trying something new breathes new life to into a weary soul.
Remember: Taking a step forward is rich nourishment that brings with it a potent tonic: momentum.

4. Don’t Believe the Hype. Believe Yourself.

Don’t over think what others say is going to happen. They can’t predict the future. Don’t listen to the hype, the gossip, all the so called facts or anyone else….believe what YOU know to be true. Don’t over analyze what you think might happen next. Don’t over think the path you will take next. You were born with everything that you need to deal with uncertainty at work and make it through the chaos and move forward in life. It’s called your gut. Your intuition. Use it. Trust it. Trusting yourself when you’re dealing with uncertainty can make you feel like you are in control again. Because you really are. You are in control of yourself!

5. Know That Things Do Work Out

Regardless of what happens during times of uncertainty at work, know that somehow, somewhere down the road, things do work out. I’ve had colleagues or friends who have lost jobs and somehow – by hook or crook, it has always worked out. Some have found better jobs – higher paying careers. Others have moved on to whole new lifestyles where they got out of the rat race altogether and are happier that they were forced to take a hard look at their life. Some became entrepreneurs and are thrilled. It didn’t happen overnight but it did happen – things did work out. Realizing that life has an interesting path that you have to uncover is a great way to deal with the uncertainty at work in a positive way.

Let me wrap up,

Uncertainty, change and disruption at work has become more common not only in your work but everyone’s workplace. You are not alone. Most of us - in all professions - are going through this roller coaster.

And while uncertainty may exist right now in your workplace, it will get better over time. By redirecting your worries about the future to the things you can do about it right now, you can begin your path to start reducing your anxiety and stress and get back to living a life and career full of possibilities.

Checkout:
My blog: www.EmbraceTheChaos.com
My facebook page: www.facebook.com/bobmiglani
Write to me: [email protected]