Growing through Uncertainty

“If I cease searching, then, woe is me, I am lost. That is how I look at it – keep going, keep going, come what may.” – Vincent van Gogh.

Nothing is more certain in a transition journey than uncertainty. How can you be sure of a path you haven’t been on? There is always the nagging ‘what’; what next, what if, what now?

As I pondered this topic, it dawned on me that the concept of uncertainty is a journey that unfolds over time. Its purpose isn’t to keep us in the dark, but to keep us hopeful and open-minded.

Uncertainty has earned it a bad reputation for being unpredictable. Yet, the same unpredictability also creates growth and opportunity.

Heaven knows how agitated I get about uncertainty. As someone who loves clarity and structure, I find it particularly nerve-wracking to stay in limbo. For me, it is not so much about the time it takes to gain clarity, but the agony of not knowing what is next. That, right there, is the real struggle.

Over time, I have learned to adopt a new disposition towards uncertainty. I have learned to shift focus from the big picture to the immediate step, and to swap agony for learning and self-growth. The small mind-shift changed everything.

 My reason is simple: agonizing over the unknown or an event that hasn't happened is never profitable.

So rather than ponder, let us seize the moment. Let us look for possibilities, options, and opportunities. Let us seek knowledge, gain wisdom, improve, be better, and grow through it!

Uncertainty can either be a catalyst or an inhibitor. What we get out of it depends on how we manage our perspective.

Change your perspective – see opportunities, not obstacles and uncertainty. Change the narrative. When uncertainty calls, please don’t run from it; grow through it.

Successful transitions start in the unknown.

Grow, don’t despair.

To new chapters and bold transitions,

Tolu Rogers, Ph.D.

Career & Life Transition Coach | Helping you navigate transitions with clarity, confidence, and purpose.