‍Why are you so worried about Uncertainty?

Fact!

A strong self-worth comes from your confidence in dealing with life's problems.

Knowing that you know how to live life…

That you know how to experience and move through difficulties.

That you can trust yourself to cope. And you can trust yourself to make the right choices to achieve your aims and move forward.

The more you can do all this, the more your sense of self-worth improves.

However, if you had a difficult upbringing—like having parents who were not supportive, being bullied at school or you had experiences that made you feel different from others—this can leave "gaps" in your ability to handle stress and uncertainty.

These negative experiences make it harder for you to feel secure and confident when facing new or unknown challenges.

For example…

Peter had learning needs and had to have extra support. He had somebody sitting next to him, helping him. And he hated it because he felt very embarrassed by it. He wanted to be normal like the other.

How can this experience instigate uncertainty problems as an adult?

• Growing up feeling embarrassed and different due to needing extra support can lead to self-doubt and a lack of confidence in one's abilities. As an adult, this lack of confidence can make new and uncertain situations feel overwhelming and lead to anxiety.
  
  You can recognize this if now that you are an adult, you still doubt yourself and feel anxious about unknown tasks at work.

Another example…

Sarah's parents were very strict and often criticized her. They rarely praised her, focusing instead on her mistakes and comparing her to others. This constant criticism made Sarah feel like she could never measure up, no matter how hard she tried.

How can this instigate uncertainty problems as an adult?

• Sarah grew up feeling she could never be good enough. As an adult, whenever she faces a task she's not familiar with, she feels a wave of anxiety, worried that she'll make mistakes and disappoint others. This fear can lead her to avoid new opportunities or become overly stressed about her performance.

So, it is agreed…

The fear of uncertainty can really mess up your life.

You might find yourself feeling stressed all the time, unable to relax, or even slipping into depression because you're so worried about the everything.

Making decisions becomes a huge challenge. You might second-guess yourself, put off important choices, or even let others make decisions for you just to avoid the fear of making a wrong move. This can lead to missed opportunities and a lot of regret.

Your personal growth takes a hit too. The fear of stepping into the unknown can keep you from trying new things, taking on challenges, or pursuing opportunities that could help you grow. You end up stuck in the same place, unable to move forward.

This fear can strain your relationships. You might constantly seek reassurance from your partner, friends, or family, which can wear them out. They might get frustrated with your need for constant support, causing tension and conflicts.

In your career, this fear can hold you back. You might avoid taking risks or trying new roles because you're scared of failing. This means you miss out on career advancements and stay stuck in a job you don't like or that doesn't fulfil you.

Physically, the stress from this constant fear can make you sick. You might get headaches, have high blood pressure, or just feel generally run down because your body is always on high alert.

Overall, the fear of uncertainty keeps you from truly enjoying life. You might find it hard to live in the moment and appreciate what you have because you're always worrying about what might happen next. It creates a barrier that prevents you from living a full, happy, and balanced life.

But then…

Overcoming the fear of uncertainty is really tough

Why?

The simple answer is that no one has shown us the practical steps to take when faced with it.

Without a step-by-step process to evaluate and handle uncertain situations, it’s easy to get lost in what-ifs and worst-case scenarios. This indecision can be paralyzing, leaving you unable to move forward.

And this is where artificial intelligence comes in…

ChatGPT to the rescue

We can use an AI like ChatGPT as a mentor.

WHAAAAATTTT!!!

I know…

Me saying you should us ChatGPT as a mentor put a BIG frown on your face.

“I don't want no AI being my mentor!”

I can hear you think out loud.

But bear with me and you’ll understand what I mean shortly.

So…

Occasionally I have an experience that goes something like this.

I meet a new client who comes to me for therapy with a problem that I've never dealt with at all.

And I've been working as a therapist now for over 30 years, right?

But despite that, this client comes with something that totally dumfounds me.

What do I do?

ChatGPT it!

Once I “ChatGPT’d” the problem, I immediately saw how I could use the psychological tools and resources I already had to address this new problem.

Before the ChatGPT, I'll would have had to wait until I have my session with my supervisor (mentor) to get a real confident grasp of the problem.  And that could have been weeks away.

What’s my point?

If low self esteem is deepened by uncertainty about how to cope and manage with different this in life… Then we are lucky to live in an era where AI can help us manage uncertainty and improve our lives so many ways.

For example…

How AI can boost your self-worth by reducing the fear of uncertainty

AI provides quick answers and solutions to problems, reducing the time spent in uncertainty.

Structured Guidance: Tools like ChatGPT can offer step-by-step plans, making complex tasks more manageable.

One of my client’s used ChatGPT to create structured research plan and was able to validate his approaches which naturally reduced anxiety.

This shows how AI can help you organize your thoughts and actions in a logical, step-by-step manner.

Consistent Support: AI is always available, providing constant reassurance and assistance.

Unlike waiting for a meeting with a mentor or supervisor, ChatGPT is accessible anytime, offering you immediate support and feedback whenever you need it.

Learning and Growth: AI can introduce new concepts and methods, promoting continuous learning and improvement.

Interacting with AI allows you to learn new techniques and approaches that you might not have considered before, fostering your ongoing personal and professional development.

Reduced Fear of Failure: With AI assistance, the fear of making mistakes is diminished as users can seek help at any time.

Knowing that you can consult ChatGPT at any moment reduces the pressure of making decisions alone, lowering the fear of failure and encouraging a more confident approach to problem-solving.

Now let’s get real deep with this…

Taping into the power of a curious mind

You see, when we approach a task that we are very comfortable with, the tendency is to have very little to no anxiety. But when we approach a task that we don't quite know, we tend to approach it with one of two mindsets.

One mindset will sabotage you. And the other mindset will help you grow and develop.

The mindset that sabotages you is when approaching the unknown situation as if it is a threat we want to avoid.

The second mindset is approaching the unknown situation with a curiosity to learn from it.

And the key difference here is that the mindset that looks at something with curiosity treats any uncertain situation as an advantage. Like it is an opportunity to grow and be better.

The good news is that using ChatGPT as a mentor when faced with uncertainty naturally places you in the curious mindset.

This is because it is now clear that you could have a practical solution to that problem that has broken you down for so long.

The possibility of a solution that can actually work practically generates a sense of hope and that sense of hope pushes you to move forward with the effort to deal with the problem.

How ChatGPT helps you approach life’s uncertainty with a curious growth mindset.

Let’s imagine you are a new project manager who is anxious because you don’t know what is expected of you in the new company you just joined.

As a new project manager feeling anxious about the unknown expectations in a new company, you can use ChatGPT to systematically address your concerns and foster a growth mindset.

Here’s a step-by-step strategy:

Noticing Uncertainty

• Awareness: Recognize when feelings of doubt, anxiety, or discomfort arise.
• Triggers: Identify specific situations or contexts that consistently trigger uncertainty.
• Physical Cues: Pay attention to physical signs of stress (e.g., increased heart rate, sweating). Use ChatGPT to create a checklist of physical stress indicators and track them in different situations.

Defining Uncertainty

• Specificity: Break down the situation into specific unknown elements.some text
  • ChatGPT can help you list out the various aspects of your new role that you find unclear.some text
  • Example: "I’m a new project manager. What specific elements of my role should I try to understand better?"
• Questions: Formulate questions about each unknown element.some text
  • Use ChatGPT to generate a list of questions that can help you gain clarity on the unknowns.some text
  • Example: "What questions should I ask my new colleagues to better understand my role and their expectations?"
• Documentation: Write down all aspects of the situation that are unclear.some text
  • ChatGPT can help you list out the various aspects of an unknown situation or task that you find unclear.some text
  • Example: "I have a new project. What are the specific elements I should consider to help me understand it better?"

Identifying Threats

• Perceived Threats: List potential negative outcomes and worst-case scenarios.some text
  •  ChatGPT can help you brainstorm and list potential threats, aiding in thorough preparation.some text
  • Example: "What are some worst-case scenarios I might face as a new project manager, and how can I prepare for them?"
• Emotional Impact: Reflect on why these outcomes feel threatening (e.g., fear of failure, judgment).some text
  • ChatGPT can provide a reflective space to explore the emotional roots of your fears.some text
  • Example: "Why do I fear being judged in my new role, and how can I mitigate that fear?"
• Past Experiences: Consider past experiences that may influence current fears.

Using Available Tools/Resources

• Self-Assessment: Evaluate existing skills, knowledge, and past successes.
• Practical Tools: Use resources like ChatGPT to create structured plans and gather information.some text
  • Example: You can use ChatGPT to overcome the blank canvas problem and structure thoughts about training and skills needed.
• External Resources: Identify and utilize books, online courses, or expert advice.

Figuring Out Needed Training

• Knowledge Gaps: Pinpoint specific areas where your knowledge or skills are lacking.
• Learning Opportunities: Seek out relevant training programs, workshops, or courses.some text
  • Use ChatGPT to find and recommend relevant learning opportunities.some text
  • Example: "Can you suggest some workshops or courses to help me with project management?"
• Mentorship: Find human mentors or peers who can provide guidance and support.some text
  • ChatGPT can help you understand how to seek mentorship and support networks.some text
  • Example: "How can I find a mentor to help me navigate my new project management role?"
• Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and update your skills to stay prepared for new challenges.

GOLD! Pure gold. Isn’t it?

I hope you can see how powerful this process is. I know people who willingly pay thousands per hour to get that kind of mentorship.

Can you see how the process guides you through the fog of "what ifs" and helps you pinpoint exactly what’s making you nervous.

Can you see how it sets out little signposts that and turns a bunch of unknowns into familiar checkpoints, so you start to feel more at home in your new role.

So now it’s your turn…

Unleashing Your Full Potential with ChatGPT

You've taken your first steps towards embracing uncertainty, and that's something to be proud of!

Now when faced with the unknown, you can remember that ChatGPT is there to help you navigate through it.

You don’t have to feel embarrassed to use it as a mentor.

So, use its insights and guidance to stay focused on what matters most – your growth.

Don't let fear or doubt hold you back; instead, channel them into constructive curiosity.

This will skyrocket your problem-solving skills and turn uncertainty into opportunities for progress.

Honestly…

Your future self will thank you for doing so!

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More on how to use CHatGPT for self improvement

How to use ChatGPT for maintaining focus under pressure.

Tearing down the fear of Uncertainty  with ChatGPT. (This article)

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