How to navigate uncertainty at work: 3 steps to manage the unknown

You’ve got a certain je ne sais quoi, ya’ know?  

There are few certainties in life, but facing uncertainty is definitely one of them. From hazy economic outlooks to rapidly advancing automation and ever-evolving global and domestic events, there’s no shortage of completely legitimate reasons to feel like the future is just one big question mark. That’s especially true if you– like so many of us– are focused on growing your career, achieving your goals, and providing for your loved ones.      

Uncertainty is a natural part of life. It’s the inevitably unknowable future, which has the power to provide as much hope and excitement as it does fear and despair. Yet, just because it’s unavoidable, doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do to deal with uncertainty when you find your feelings swirling around it. 

Today,  we’re exploring some steps you can take to navigate uncertainty in the workplace when you’re feeling a bit (or, hey, a lot) unmoored by it. There’s no secret cheat code to skip the big boss of the unknown, but there are some helpful moves you can make to take it on when it shows up. Explore how below.  

But first, looking for some stress relief? Enroll in Yale University’s Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress course for knowledge, skills, and strategies to better manage your emotions.  

😔1. Acknowledge your feelings.  

When you’re feeling uncertain about your professional future, it’s natural to experience a range of often contradictory emotions. While one moment you may be racked with worry, the next you might be resolutely optimistic, and then, suddenly, utterly indifferent to the whole thing. That roller coaster of emotions can be a draining ride that often only grows in intensity the longer you stay on it. 

Rather than trying to suppress your emotions when they arise, it’s usually more helpful to acknowledge them. That means taking a moment to notice them, name them, and allow yourself to feel them. By creating space for difficult emotions, you help reduce their impact so that you can face uncertainty in the present moment rather than in an imagined, impossible-to-know future. 

🥰2. Practice self-care. 

After acknowledging your emotions, a key part of dealing with uncertainty is practicing self-care. That means taking time to boost, safeguard, and prioritize your emotional, physical, and mental well-being, but how that looks for you will depend on your own particular needs, interests, and available resources. Some common ways to practice self-care include exercising, getting enough sleep, and setting aside time for a hobby like reading, cooking, or practicing judo to perfect your ippon seoi nage (😉). 

🤔3. Focus on what you can control. 

Uncertainty generally causes such overwhelming emotions because it’s fundamentally about a future that’s out of our control. While worrying about that future may give us a sense of control, focusing on what we can do in the here and now is a more sustainable and proactive way to actually deal with it. 

For example, if you’re worried about being laid off, you might decide to set aside a small portion of your paycheck for an emergency fund, devote more time to networking, and start taking online courses to build new skills. Although you can’t know for certain what will happen in the future, focusing on what is in your control now can help you either achieve your desired outcome or effectively prepare for an undesirable situation, should it arise. 

🤩Get job-ready on Coursera 

You’ve got this. Prepare for the unknown and step confidently into the future with one of these popular programs on Coursera:

For emotional guidance, try Yale’s Managing Emotions in Times of Uncertainty & Stress course. Gain the knowledge, skills, and strategies needed to deal with your emotions during uncertain times. 

To adapt to our changing work world, enroll in Macquarie University’s Adapting: Career Development Specialization. Enhance your resiliency in dealing with stress, design a career path that matches your values, and build cultural intelligence for a global workforce. 

To build job-relevant skills, subscribe to Coursera Plus. Gain access to 10,000+ courses in AI, business, technology, and more from industry leaders like Google, Stanford, IBM, and Johns Hopkins. 

And that’s all we’ve got for you this week, friends! Before you start plotting out your next career steps, let us know in the comments below what you do to stay proactive when faced with uncertainty in your professional life. Thanks for taking the time to join us today, and we’ll catch you next time! 

Have a career question you’d like us to answer next? Share it below. And, as always, we welcome YOUR advice and experience in the comments.