6 Ways to Gain Control in the Face of Uncertainty

6 Ways to Gain Control in the Face of UncertaintyAccording to John Tarnoff, consultant for Boomers over at The Huffington Post, most of us aredealing with a high level of anxiety and worrywhether were eyeing a diminishing pension or confronting yet another company reorganization. But its not all hopeless. Here are someconcrete suggestions that can help you tackle the uncertainty in your life and learn how to move toward acceptance instead. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) 1. Accept your situationMy husband likes to worryhe frets about losing his job, losing the freelance work he does on top of his job, losing the remote if I dont put it back in the little schachtel he set up specifically for that purpose. My favorite response is usually, And what if you do? What if something does happen to your job? What if you did lose that freelance work? What if the remote does fall off the couch and break? I accept that upsetting things can happenI kn ow Ill be worried and unsettled when they happen, too. But I also know well bounce back. I cant preemptively carry around all that worry. This is an uncertain time. I know it. He knows it. One of us has a positive attitudethe other is perpetually bracing for the sky to fall.2. Embrace new hobbiesOnce youre not worried about what you need to prepare for, you have the freedom just to prepare for whatever interests you. More than anything employers want to see prospective candidates who have interests, passion, and knowledge they can bring into their new job in unexpected, exciting ways. If nothing else, youll be distractedbut best-case scenario youll uncover something spontaneous and fulfilling that will take you somewhere you never anticipated.3. Write down your thoughtsThis is huge, especially when you feel overwhelmed and bombarded on all sides. Write it down. Write down what youre sure of and what youre unsure about, what you know and what you dont. Whether its as simple as making a list or as involved as a daily journal, try to record all the ideas that fluctuate through your brain in times of stress. When you page through it later you may notice patterns, goals, ideas in need of further development, or hopes you hadnt even quite acknowledged to yourselfI make a lot of flow charts when Im stressed. All my fears may end with me alone and friendless in the woods but at least I can draw a box with a little arrow to lead me back to civilization.4. Reach out to family and friendsDont withdraw from friends and family, colleagues, and classmates when youre feeling uncertain. Dont wait until you feel normal again to ask for help or bring close friends up to speed. This is a mistake I made often when graduate school was ending or when I was laid off from my first jobI retreated and didnt answer my phone or my email for as long as I could (until the stress of evasion was as bad, if not worse, than the stress of confrontation).When in doubt, engage. Even if only for a mindless night of movies and snacks, stay in touch. Share your game plan. Let them help you refine and strengthen your ideas.5.Reach out to professionalsWhen your friends and family come up short, as even the most well-meaning sometimes do, its time to go to the professionals. It may seem like an unwarranted expense to pay a life or career coach, but remember what theyve invested in their expertise. The resources theyve accumulated as a result can be at your disposal for a fraction of that cost. Take advantage of support and encourage wherever you find it6. Keep expanding and evolvingJust because youve found a job or a place to pause doesnt mean thats the end of the line. Dont take the easy way out or the sure thing when what you really want is a little further down the road. Let yourself give up old things and pursue new things. Breathe.If you learn to relax, embrace the uncertainty, and depend on your strengths and your support network, you wont feel so unsteady. You can breathe and build muscle memory so when a crisis does strike, youll absorb the shock instead of letting it sway you.