Anchor, Shift and Seek: Dealing with Insecurity and Uncertainty

Anchor, Shift and Seek: Dealing with Insecurity and Uncertainty

Today, let’s take a moment to talk about a topic that often goes unaddressed, yet profoundly affects us all: dealing with insecurities and uncertainties.

Life, as we know, is filled with the unexpected. 

It can sometimes feel as though we're adrift in a vast sea of the unknown. 

If you tune into the news, you might find yourself overwhelmed by fear and anxiety about what the future holds. 

Or perhaps you've found yourself in a situation at work where you're asked to take on a new project or role, and suddenly you're battling insecurities about your abilities.

I've been there. 

I've felt that uncertainty, that worry, that insecurity. 

But through my experiences, I've discovered three powerful strategies to turn things around and live with more peace, certainty, and confidence in myself. 

I'm thrilled to share these insights with you.

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Let’s dive in…


Strategy # 1 - Being Anchored in the Present

The first strategy is about being anchored in the present moment. 

I've found that when I dwell on the past or become anxious about the future, I can't be the best version of myself. 

To truly lead – in work and life – I need to be present, fully engaged in the now. 

This can mean slowing down, taking a deep breath, or engaging in an activity that I genuinely enjoy.

During the pandemic, I turned to meditation as a way to slow down and center myself. 

I also found solace in physical activity, especially cycling. 

Being out in nature helped me reset, grounding me in the present and allowing me to bring that focus back into the workplace. 

As a result, I became a better leader, less prone to insecurities and future worries.


Strategy # 2 - Shifting Focus to Others

The second strategy I've embraced is shifting my focus away from myself and onto others. 

As leaders, we can often become overly focused on our own success, our own goals, forgetting about our team members or even our own needs beyond work. 

By refocusing, we can deflate our ego, stop feeling sorry for ourselves, and become present for others.

I decided to take this step by volunteering for a charity and a suicide hotline in Singapore. 

I found that when I'm helping others, I have little time to worry about myself or ponder over uncertainties. 

This shift in focus not only made me feel great but also reminded me to appreciate the good in my life. 

It set a naturally positive tone for my mindset, an ideal space for a leader to be in.


Strategy # 3 Seeking Professional Help

The third strategy is something we often overlook: seeking professional help. 

There's no shame in reaching out to someone who is more knowledgeable or skilled in a particular area. 

In fact, it shows strength and willingness to grow.

When I took up triathlon, I was unable to swim at all, so, I sought out a coach to help me. 

Within a few lessons, I improved dramatically. 

Similarly, I found myself struggling with public speaking. 

I didn't shy away but instead engaged with a professional speaking coach, a renowned TEDx speaker. 

She guided me to enhance my skills and build my confidence.

It's not a sign of weakness to seek help; instead, it's an acknowledgment that we're always learning, always growing. 

If you're struggling in any area of your life, don't hesitate to seek out a mentor or coach in that space.


These are the strategies I've used to navigate through insecurities and uncertainties. 

They've helped me develop into a more confident and mindful person and leader. 

If you need support in your journey, I'm here to help either as a coach and keynote speaker. Feel free to send me a message on LinkedIn if you need help.

If this article resonates with you, I invite you to subscribe to the Adversity to Excellence newsletter.
Every week, I’ll share 1 actionable tip to help executives face their biggest fears and create a new story of resilience, vulnerability, and high-performance.
Click here to subscribe.


Tan S.

Cloud | Cybersecurity | PMP® | ITIL®4 | CSM® | CSPO® | ACSPO® | Spartan

1y

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