Our brains dislike uncertainty. It makes us anxious and very stressed. To the human mind, uncertainty means danger. See, if our brain doesn’t know what is about to happen or have all the answers, it can’t keep us safe. So our brain makes up all sorts of stories all throughout the day to keep us out of harm’s way. According to Ben Locke, “The human brain is built to rule out uncertainty.” Our brain makes assumptions to help reduce the uncertainties that we face daily in life and, thus, make us feel safe.
But what happens when our brain doesn’t have all the answers? Uncertainty happens. We become unsure about the future. This leads to feelings of nervousness, and over time it can develop into an overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
So should we avoid uncertainties at all cost? No, because not having the answer to all of life’s questions can be actually good for us. Here are some of the reasons why we should welcome and embrace uncertainties:
- It encourages us to grow.
Embracing uncertainty opens us up new experiences and perspectives. When we open to the uncertainties, we overcome our fears and self-limiting beliefs. You see, when we push ourselves out of our comfort zones and face new challenges, we will realize that we have skills and abilities we didn’t know we have. These newfound abilities will, in turn, make us more confident in other areas of our lives.
- It builds resilience.
Throughout our life, we have to constantly face situations that are unpredictable and beyond our control. This can be obviously stressful, but when we learn to overcome our stressors, we develop resilience. Resilience is defined as “the potential to bounce back from setbacks, adapt to changing circumstances, and find inner strength during challenging times.” When we embrace uncertainty we tend to have higher levels of psychological well-being and resilience.
- It make us live in the present moment.
It is innate in us to want to feel in control and know what the future holds. But this need for certainty prevents us from taking risks or pursuing new opportunities. So as to not let the ambiguities of life paralyze us, we need to change our mindset and live in the present moment. Living in the present moment frees us from anxiety of worrying about the uncertain future as we are able to focus more on the things we can control in the present.
- It makes us think creatively and critically.
Being uncertain helps us to see things differently, which can lead us to new ways of thinking. When faced with uncertainties and ambiguities, our brain is forced to think critically and creatively. We start thinking outside the box to come up with creative solutions in order to adapt to new situations.
- It makes us adaptable.
We become flexible and adaptable when we deal with uncertainties. When we are flexible, we are able to navigate the challenges and changes that happen in life. When we are open to change and new circumstance, we are able to adjust easily and thus be able to maintain a sense of control over our lives.
- It improves our decision-making ability
When we are faced with uncertainty, we become rational and analytical in our choices and decisions. We learn to evaluate the risks and make informed decisions based on our analysis. We then become more successful in dealing with whatever life dishes out to us.
- It builds our confidence.
As we learn to cope with uncertainty and successfully navigate through it, we naturally build self-confidence. We become confident in our ability to handle unexpected situations. We realize that we are more than able to handle the unexpected curve balls that life throws at us. We develop self-assurance, and we become more capable and in control of our life. As a result, we become more motivated to pursue goals and achieve them with a more positive outlook.
(Adam Eason)
Apparently, learning to live with some unanswered questions is the only way to feel truly secure. As John Allen Paulos says, “Uncertainty is the only certainty there is. Knowing how to live with insecurity is the only security.”