Neurosis is our inability to tolerate ambiguity
Sigmund Freud
Ambiguity creates uncertainty and in turn, it can make you feel insecure and vulnerable. Not having clarity and a clear understanding in some situations can also be quite frustrating and discombobulating.
Dealing with ambiguity is the new imperative in a world that is accelerating at a speed that many people can find very difficult to cope with. Your ability to manage complexity and uncertainty positively and constructively is key.
Whilst you may not be able to control certain situations and circumstances, you can control your response to them. Choosing how you react will help you considerably.
Ambiguity can create stress and emotional fatigue so it is important for your own well being to create strategies to help you cope. Here is some advice:
1. Manage your inner control freak – Let’s face it we all like to be in control, however, in some situations we may just have to accept our situations and learn to let go of the desire to take control of every tiny detail to avoid becoming overly stressed.
2. Make a decision – Ambiguity on some occasions may mean that you don’t necessarily make the right decision. However don’t let that put you off, sometimes even a wrong decision is better than no decision, and besides, a mistake sometimes is simply a learning opportunity in disguise.
3. Be agile – Agility is all about your ability to be flexible and adapt quickly as more information comes to light.
4. Keeping an open mind. Avoid crystal ball gazing – Sometimes a fertile imagination can be our own worst enemy and we can get lost in our own feelings. If we are not careful we take out the imaginary crystal ball and “catastrophise”. We then indulge ourselves in a whole raft of “what ifs”.
5. Practise mindfulness – The practise of mindfulness, which is about being present and fully experiencing the moment, is very powerful.
Uncertainty is the refuge of hope
Henri Frederic Amiel
Missed the first in Liggy’s series of ‘Take Five Tips’? Read it here.