Amid economic turmoil, mass layoffs and concerns about job security, workers are anxiously holding their breath. A cryptic Slack message, a last-minute meeting invitation, or a strange look from a coworker can make us fear the worst.
Uncertainty at work can create Stress, Anxiety, and Cognitive Distortions, and can even exacerbate existing mental health conditions. These manifestations of uncertainty can harm employees’ happiness at work, not to mention their productivity.
“The human brain is inherently allergic to uncertainty,” says neuropsychologist Dr. Julia DiGangi, author of a new book. energy rise, Tell wealth. “For the human brain, the feeling of chaos is almost unbearable.”
At the very least, rumination caused by uncertainty takes up psychological space in the brain.
“In the absence of clear data, my brain always switches off that mode in favor of a narrative of doubt, a narrative of denial, or a narrative of fear,” DiGangi said. “Because if I start to become wary, if I start to doubt, if I start to be wary, if I start to get defensive, then I might be in pain, but at least I’ll be alive.”
Such thinking will only harm us in the long run, DiGangi said.
“The more people seek certainty, the sicker they get,” she said. “When we feel uncertain about our work, we fall into what I call a public state. We start to overwork, overexplain, overgive, overdesign, overcommunicate (and) overfunction.”
This need to transcend the unknown can lead to burnout. What’s more, overworking yourself to cope with uncertainty won’t work, DiGangi said. It just causes more pain. We cannot think our way out of uncertainty. Instead, we must learn to live with it.
believe in your skills
Contrary to what we think, the opposite of uncertainty is not certainty.
“The only antidote is to start thinking about the power of emotion. You have to start thinking, how do I prove that I can trust myself in the absence of certainty?”
This means not judging yourself because of uncertainties you have no control over, but instead trusting your strengths and abilities. It helps to remember moments when you felt calm in the face of uncertainty, and use those moments to build trust—remembering that rumination won’t change the outcome.
Being assertive also means not overthinking in interactions with your boss and distinguishing between facts and fears. Uncertainty is always present, so look for ways to take back control at work and prioritize building connections across the company, finding mentors, and learning new skills.
Of course, there are times to worry, such as whether your workplace is doing more harm than good. Likewise, you can trust yourself to take action or seek support when you need it.
Imagine the mental space we would gain if we let go of the rumination, self-doubt, and fear that come with uncertainty.
Svlook
