As challenging as these times may be, most of us still have ultimate control over our lives. Yes, there are certain restrictions that have been imposed on us because of the COVID-19 global pandemic but we are technically still very much holding the reigns here.
The problem is that a lot of the time, it doesn’t feel like it.
And if you read too much media, you are likely convinced that you are not in control at all and this moment of uncertainty is here to stay. You will forever be uncertain.
Not true.
You can create certainty on a daily basis for yourself.
And not by changing the world outside. None of that has to change. I have been working on this and personally implementing these ideas to create my own sense of certainty over the last few months. It helps. It works.
You may not be able to change what’s going on out there in the world but you can rule your own world. You can take control and create certainty in your own life.
I want to share with you 7 strategies you can use to easily increase the feeling of certainty in your life. Many of them are small things that you can start right now, today. The great things is that you don’t have to do all 7, but of course, the more you can incorporate into your routine, the better.
Strategy 1: Have a plan
When we don’t have a plan, we drift with the wind and more significantly we don’t feel in control of our destiny. You can make a plan in uncertain times. Yes, you can. You may need to review it in a few month’s time to see if it’s still relevant, but you still should make the plan now.
Strategy 2: Make decisions
Again, one quick way to start to feel more in control of your world is to make decisions. Allowing yourself to stay in indecision because you’re“not sure what will happen” or“don’t have enough information” does not serve you. It will create more uncertainty. Even if you don’t want to decide something now, you can still decide to get further information and review it in a month with a view to making the decision then. Do you get where I’m going here? It prevents you from going back and forth over the“will I or won’t I” that makes us all feel so powerless. You can instead decide to forget about it for a month, get more info and then decide. Or, decide now.
Strategy 3: Take action- small things count
The idea is to think small here. Can you clean out one drawer in your home or office? Can you do one task off your to-do list? Taking small actions in a positive direction make a big difference. In particular de-cluttering will give you a sense of control over your environment. Just remember to do small bits at a time to avoid overwhelm.
Strategy 4: Strengths and gratitude
Gratitude helps you to look for what you already have and to acknowledge it. This helps you to see that you do actually have what you need. Focusing on this at least once a day and seeking out your personal strengths will assist in keeping the uncertainty at bay.
Strategy 5: Daily practices to anchor you
What habits or rituals have an anchoring effect for you?
These are the practices that rejuvinate you or keep you focused and feeling in control or confident and secure. Is it keeping up an exercise routine? Chanting, prayers, meditation? Patting your cat? Whatever restores you and gives you a sense of being in control and secure can become an anchor for you on a daily basis.
Strategy 6: Boundaries- fear mongering and media
Use your boundaries. Don’t allow in too much uncertainty from other people(family included) and the news/social media. Stay informed but don’t let them tell you how uncertain or worried you must feel.
Strategy 7: Re-frame the situation
Yes it’s been challenging and even at times confronting. Things seem to be shifting and life is not what it was 6 months ago. Sure, but try asking yourself these questions to re-frame this current situation:
What are some good things that have come out of this?
If there was an opportunity right now for me, what might it be?
What have I learnt about my real values in the last few months?
These strategies work and they will make a difference right away, so do start as soon as you can. Maybe try to implement one or two for a week and maintain consistency with those first. Then you can add more as you like.