After reflecting and taking some quick lessons learnt from recent events I’ve realised something. It is pivotal to try and be as mentally and physically prepared for, well – ANYTHING. The reality is anything can happen to any of us, at any given moment. 


Now I would have previously said, ‘you can’t prepare for what you don’t know,’ and whilst that still does remain partially accurate, it’s not totally true.


The reality is most things that take us by surprise or shock aren’t usually completely unpredictable.


There are always ‘things’ to be getting on with to ensure that you are constantly learning and developing.


Which leads me nicely into… 


The 3 ways to navigate ambiguity and unpredictability.


1. Developing a growth mindset and enhancing your problem solving skills.
Learn to embrace challenges, as opportunities for growth. The reality is you are, entitled to think, ‘why’ is this happening, it’s unfair etc. However, if you continue to work on what it is you find challenging you will conquer it and everything will be better in the long run, including you. Plus there’s no harm on doubling down on that resilience it always comes in handy.                     


2. Build a support network
In times of uncertainty and stress it’s important that you aren’t navigating through everything on your own. Surround yourself with people who you know will be there for you to lean on, offering you assistance and help with actions when you need it. Having a strong support system can help significantly when it comes to navigating uncertainty, and can alleviate some of the mental pressures. The right network will be there to offer you guidance, support and provide you with helpful coping mechanisms to navigate the circumstances.


3. Develop problem solving skills
It’s is pivotal that you enhance your ability to think critically and creatively by practicing problem-solving techniques regularly. Whilst big problems usually cause us stress and anxiety, enhancing and utilising this opportunity to put a method to the madness by breaking down complex problems into manageable steps, making the unachievable look and appear realistic. Try brainstorming multiple solutions, and be open to trying new approaches.


Without working on the above skills you make yourself vulnerable if anything ambiguous should happen. You put yourself at risk for suffering a breakdown, it is therefore so important that within each difficult circumstance that you allow yourself time to see the lesson, the opportunity for growth, and the benefit towards continual learning and education. 


‘Even in the darkest of times there is light to be found.’ 


In conclusion, there is always something, that can be done in life to attempt to mitigate crisis or ease the impact. However, when it comes to navigating challenging circumstances you must be easy on yourself because no amount of planning will fully prepare you for how you will feel in the circumstance. You may find that you planned and mitigated everything but your inability to act, due to how low you feel has caused the problem and that’s life. Hence why your support network will need be there to carry out actions when you can’t.


MOCD.