How Uncertainly Can Be Good For Your Business
Let’s imagine your business in front of two doors. Two choices. Two paths.
Open Door 1 and get a business setback that is clear but manageable.
Or choose the mystery behind Door 2.
Door 2 could be better or worse than Door 1, but you won't find out until you open it. What do you choose? Which door would you open?
Most business owners would open Door 1. That's because most of us would rather have certain pain than gambling with the unknown. And that's true even if we have a 50-50 shot at getting something better, not worse, with Door 2.
Why?
Because we crave certainty. We're calmer when we know what to expect — even if it's certain pain — because we can prepare for it. With uncertainty, we're hyper-vigilant to the possibility of pain. We're constantly on edge, waiting for the ball to drop.
That's stressful and exhausting up until the moment we get certainty. And that waiting and worrying creates its own pain, no matter what outcome we get.
That's how uncertainty hijacks our mind and outlook. And that can backfire BIG time.
How?
It closes us off from the priceless opportunities for our businesses that can come with uncertainty. And that means we miss the chance to take advantage of all the good that uncertainty can really do for us.
So, what type of lemonade can we make from the lemons of uncertainty?
Let's find out by looking at some of the incredible silver linings of uncertainty.
7 Surprising Advantages of Embracing the Bright Side of Uncertainty
- Uncertainty Inspires New Thought and New Ideas. The unknown can captivate us and our employees. It upsets our assumptions and expectations. And it makes us pay attention and think more deeply. That can get us to think outside the box and open us up to new business opportunities and strategies we wouldn't have considered otherwise.
- Uncertainly Builds Character. With the unknown, our choices may be the ONLY things that are 100% in our control.That can really put our business judgement, values and beliefs to the test. And it gives us and our employees the opportunity to learn from novel experiences, take on new challenges, and growth as an organization and as as team.
- Uncertainty Gives Us a Reality Check. Unexpected new situations can peel back our business blinders and open our eyes to what's really going on with our business. That can ground us, so we're not chasing rainbows. It also empowers us and our employees to recognize the difficulties we face, so we can actually work through them, instead of ignoring them and hoping they'll go away.
- Uncertainty Spotlights Our Priorities. Big uncertainties mute the little worries and distractions in our businesses. When we don't know what's coming next, we're forced to focus on what really matters. As we do, our priorities can be a comforting safety net to fall back on and reaffirm. A roadmap that gives us direction to move forward with confidence.
- Uncertainty Makes Us More Resilient. Every time we, as individuals or organizations deal with uncertainty, we face novel challenges - and new opportunities to adapt, improvise, flex our skills, and become stronger individuals and stronger organizations. That can strengthen our mental game and keep us flexible when things go off course. It can also give us better strategies for bouncing back, solving problems and persevering.
- Uncertainty Makes Us Grateful. When everything's up in the air and nothing feels certain, it's much easier to appreciate what we DO have - our employees, our relationships, our health, and our careers. The gratitude we have for those dependable joys can keep us positive and clear-headed in the face of uncertainty. And that can help us get better at dealing with problems and taking advantage of the silver linings.
- Uncertainty Adjusts Our Perspective. Without surprises, we tend to allow our businesses to roll along. Uncertainty can stop us in our tracks. It gives us a change to pause, stand back, and look at the bigger picture. That can provide a fresh outlook and a big-picture perspective. It can also help us make better choices, no matter what type of uncertainty we're facing.
We have all experienced almost unheard-of uncertainty in the last few years.
Like it or not, uncertainty is an unavoidable part of life. Big or small, those unknowns can pop up at any time. And they can make us unsure about our options, our choices, and our future.
But it’s not all bad.
Uncertainty can be wonderfully rewarding. In fact, like life, uncertainty can become what you make of it — and how you approach it can make ALL difference in what you get out of it. That’s why it pays for us to get better at living with uncertainty.
If we can do that, the silver linings can become golden opportunities for our businesses and employees to grow and prosper.
So, how do we approach uncertainty better? We can start by accepting it, instead of resisting it. And we can focus on the positive and check ourselves when we’re spiraling into the worst-case what-ifs. We can also turn to someone we trust for support. And that's where our professionals at ASN can help. In uncertain times, we will be there to lend our support, expertise, and advise. Just give a call. We would love to talk with you.
