The world looks and feels more uncertain now with US/Israel at war with Iran and the resultant oil shortages and price increases.
The knock-on effect on oil related products and supply chains is going to affect everyone while the war lasts and then for several months afterwards.
In Australia Inflation and Interest rates were already on the rise. Cost of living pressures are hurting many.
Our government leaders may not seem to be as well-equipped as in days gone by. Our trust is low that they can make good decisions to take us through a crisis. In fact, in Australia, Government spending is a major inflationary pressure on our economy.
All this creates a greater sense of uncertainty and fuels anxiety across our population.
The illusion of certainty and control
I acknowledge there are new challenges right now that are affecting all of us in ways we do not like.
However, I also know that there is always uncertainty. Any certainty we have is mostly an illusion created because we have become comfortable with how things are, and we feel more in control.
Human beings like to feel in control. Even though we are not fully in control of our next heartbeat or next breath, we like the illusion of control.
When someone or something acts to disrupt our comfort levels we feel less in control and can become anxious.
I recall as a young boy in the 1960s being very aware that the world could end because of the proliferation of nuclear weapons occurring at the time. Today, we have almost forgotten to think about nuclear weapons. We have become used to them. Even comfortable with them. Even though the SALT treaties limiting their use and growth which were entered into by USA and USSR back in the 1970’s and 80’s have recently expired.
We feel uncertain because of more recent disruptions caused by wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Iran, Lebanon, and because of world leaders like Putin and Trump breaking accepted rules which have governed our world order for the past 80 years.
A few points to help you embrace uncertainty
- There has always been uncertainty.
- You have faced and come through uncertainty thousands of times in your lifetime to now.
- We will get through the current causes of uncertainty.
- We need to be aware and adjust our behaviour, spending, business decisions to navigate through the new challenges that affect us.
- Don’t put your head in the sand and just hope it all goes away.
- Don’t allow anxiety to grow by focusing on all the latest news 24/7. In fact, turn it off most of the time.
- Smart people and businesses will spot new opportunities created by the uncertainty.
- We will have more challenges in the future. They are part of life.
Find your anchor
Find an anchor for your thoughts and emotions that helps you remain calm and clear headed when things feel too much out of your control. For me that is my faith in Jesus. I have faced down cancer twice over the past 6 years, business ups and downs over 17 years, the loss of a marriage 20 years ago, and much more with the help that Jesus has given me. My heart remains secure, even when I am not sure what will happen next to me.
Faith, family, and friends are the best anchors. Have you found yours?
If you would like some assistance to think through how you and your business navigate the current business and world environment please reach out for a free conversation. Here.
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Here are a few of my favourites to help you integrate your work into all other parts of your life.
- Your need for control – when does it work for you, and when is it your greatest liability?
- Planning Puts YOU In Control
- How willing are you to embrace uncertainty?