Coping with uncertainty and combatting stress
In a recent TNG online meeting, Malcolm Jensen, Business Advisor at Business Success Partners, shared several strategies with which business owners can manage uncertainty.
Combating uncertainty has never been more critical, given the world’s situation today.
A Stress Response
Uncertainty is ‘not knowing’. Being in this state causes a stress response in humans, which is natural. It’s easy to intellectualise a problem, which can be helpful, but getting to the root of an issue requires us to understand precisely what it is. It can’t remain in the realm of pure theory.
Jensen explains that when dealing with stress, we’re dealing with our amygdala in this case. A part of the brain that triggers our fight, flight, freeze response.
In other words, it’s a practical problem. So, what is its solution? The solution is a process found in several exercises Jensen shared.
Mindfulness
The first exercise is to be ‘mindful’ rather than ‘mind full’. One must eliminate the clutter and focus on what’s important.
He explained, “Not all thoughts are facts, and so one must evaluate their various thoughts. You know the type, those thoughts that appear to swarm you as you lay down for the night.”
When accosted by such thoughts, take stock, and figure out if they’re true. If they are, you may be exaggerating. Once they’re in perspective, figure out how they make you feel in order to figure out their effect on you.
Finally, determine if things would be different if you didn’t believe this. If so, the thought is the issue. If nothing changes, then the problem lies in your material situation, and you can take steps to deal with it directly.
S.T.O.P.
The second strategy Jensen shared is S.T.O.P., which stands for stop, take a breath, observe, proceed. It’s all about regrouping, taking a breath, analysing the situation, and taking action.
On this note, Jensen points out the importance of breathing correctly. He provides a practical tip by noting that your stomach should rise, not your chest, when you breathe in. This is “deep breathing” and can help slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure.
As we pointed out earlier, stress is a physical reaction, so part of dealing with it needs to be physical.
Urgency and Importance
At the core of Jensen’s strategy is considering urgency and importance. He provides four categories of issues a business faces and how to deal with each one.
Doing this will allow you as a business owner to cut redundancy and focus on what is effective.
1. Urgent and Important
If something is urgent and essential, then you must simply do it. This is where you will focus most of your attention.
2. Unurgent and Important
These issues don’t require your immediate attention, but they must be planned for, as when the time comes, you can do them effectively.
3. Urgent and Unimportant
If something is urgent but ultimately unimportant, you must delegate it to one of your workers. This could be a maintenance issue that won’t halt business, but that needs to be addressed nonetheless.
4. Unurgent and Unimportant
Things in this category should be discarded as they waste resources.
Nourish to Flourish
Jensen finished by talking about working smarter. He explains that growing up, the volume of work and effort was emphasised, but he learned that balance is important.
To flourish in life, one must nourish themselves. Work hard, yes, but take time to physically stay in good health and plan for the future, rather than powering through as issues arise.
To combat uncertainty, one must quiet their mind, relax their body, and plan so that when the time arrives, they can strike efficiently. It’s all about breaking things down into small steps and taking them in your stride.