The first installment was fairly remarkable if I do say so m’self.
This post? Wow, are you in for a treat—I’ve got taglines.
One of my favorite concepts from Dr. Pritchett’s Hacking Uncertainty is the directive to “Open Yourself to Uncertainty;” that’s a fairly broad statement to assist you in your goal of becoming more tolerant of ambiguity… but what does it mean?
Simple. You wait and DO.
While some people “wait and see” before committing to action, you choose to “wait and do.”
Assuming you’ve embraced the directive in Part 1, you should be getting more comfortable with the idea of changing your routines (if only in small doses). Now, when you find yourself facing change, you have a decision to make, as opposed to a reaction. You can “wait” in the sense of reserving judgment on your opinion of the change. But instead of staying in neutral (which is, in reality, a passive form of resistance,) you can give yourself permission to support the change in your actions. In this way, you are giving uncertainty the benefit of the doubt and still look at yourself in the morning.
Sounds a lot like “fake it,” doesn’t it? Then I said it right. Do your work, save your opinion for another day. The energy you use in supporting the change, even if only in appearance, will positively impact those around you. Then, at some point, hopefully (but not critically) your emotional state will catch up to your physical state.
Until then, just keep “doing.” Or, as the late, great Harvey Korman once proclaimed…”Now go do, that voodoo, that you do so well!!!!”
John Whitaker (“Whit”) has been in the healthcare industry for over 20 years – pharma, device, biopharma, hospital, dental, and now anesthesiology – perhaps he should settle down somewhere? As EVP and Chief People Officer at National Partners in Healthcare, he’s helping to create the culture of a company that will improve the lives of anyone needing a surgical procedure.
Like most Texans, he loves to tell a story (especially those that include an armadillo or a poker game) and cutting through the chaff…don’t take it personal. So if you find yourself craving a down-home colloquialism, tune in for Whit’s monthly installment on FOT, connect on LinkedIn, or follow him @HR_Hardball.