The Morning Mindset

Embrace the Unknown: Transform Uncertainty into Professional Growth and Innovation

• Craig Skelton • Season 1 • Episode 74

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Uncover the power of uncertainty and transform it into your greatest asset with us on the Morning Mindset Podcast. What if embracing the unknown could be the key to unlocking your professional potential? Join me, Craig Skelton, as we explore how entrepreneurs, business owners, and the self-employed can navigate the unpredictability of their careers. We'll discuss how the quest for absolute certainty can lead to stagnation and stress, and we'll share actionable strategies to find opportunities amidst the chaos. From focusing on what you can control to building resilience, learn how to turn the unexpected into a catalyst for growth.

This episode invites you to venture into uncharted territory, pushing your boundaries and igniting innovation. Discover how embracing the unknown not only fosters personal development but also opens doors to new ideas and possibilities. By the end of our conversation, you'll feel empowered to trust your instincts and build confidence in your ability to handle whatever challenges come your way. Let's cultivate a mindset that thrives on uncertainty, encouraging creative thinking and a sense of inner calm in the face of unpredictability. Join me in transforming the unknown from a source of fear into a wellspring of excitement and potential.

Watch the episode on YouTube youtube.com/@themorning-mindset

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Morning Mindset Podcast with me, craig Skelton. Every day, we kick off your morning with positivity, actionable insights and the motivation you need to conquer the day. Whether you're looking to develop a positive mindset, habits or simply starting your day on the right foot, this podcast is your daily dose of inspirational and practical advice. And today, in today's episode, we're going to talk about something every single entrepreneur, business owner and self-employed person encounters I'm talking about dealing with the unknown Today's Friday. So, as we head into the weekend, let's get into this topic, understanding not only what it means to face uncertainty, but why it's essential to embrace it and cultivate a mindset that thrives in the midst of it. So let's start by defining what I mean by the unknown.

Speaker 1:

When you're self-employed or running a business, the unknown can take many different forms. It could be not knowing where your next client or your next lead is coming from, an unexpected shift in the market, new competitors, changing regulations or even personal challenges that affect your work. It's any aspect of your business and life that remains unpredictable and, in many ways, uncontrollable, and, as humans, we naturally gravitate towards stability. We like knowing what's coming next because it gives us a sense of control and security. But let's face it as business owners, we often find ourselves operating without a script. The path isn't always laid out neatly in front of us, and that is okay. It's actually what makes the journey more exhilarating.

Speaker 1:

Now let's consider the other side of this. What happens if you avoid or try to cling to absolute certainty? There are several consequences to this, and they are worth thinking about. First, you may become stuck in your comfort zone. That doesn't allow your business to grow. If you're too afraid to take risks or move in new directions, you limit your potential. Your business could stagnate, which, over time, could lead to losing relevance in a dynamic marketplace. Secondly, avoiding them can lead to increased stress and anxiety. When you resist what's unpredictable, you're constantly fighting reality. It's exhausting. It's like swimming against the tide. Eventually, you're going to wear yourself out. And lastly, avoiding the unknown can prevent you from making those decisions that lead to breakthroughs. Most of the big wins in business don't come from sticking to what's safe. They're taking calculated risks and moving forward even when you're not entirely sure of the outcome.

Speaker 1:

Embracing the unknown is more than just going with the flow. It's about cultivating a mindset that finds opportunity in uncertainty. This is something that you can develop practice and strengthen over time. To begin with, remind yourself that uncertainty is part of the game. Every business, every entrepreneur, every single self-employed individual faces the unknown. It's a shared experience, a common thread amongst us all. Knowing that you're not alone in this can help you make the unknown feel less daunting.

Speaker 1:

Another key element is to focus on what you can control. When you're dealing with the unknown, don't waste energy on things that you can't influence. Instead, turn your attention to the things within your reach. For example, you can control how you prepare, you respond and adapt. By building skills and staying informed, you become more resilient in the face of change.

Speaker 1:

Now let's look at the positives, the benefits that come when you embrace the unknown. First and foremost, embracing the unknown fosters personal growth. Just think about it. Every time you step into uncharted territory, you're pushing your limits, learning new things, building resilience and developing skills you didn't even know that you had. And the more you embrace uncertainty, the stronger you become, both as a person and as a business owner. Secondly, embracing the unknown opens doors to innovation. When you're not afraid to explore new paths, you discover possibilities you would never have considered otherwise. Some of the best ideas and services come from taking the leap into something untested or unfamiliar. If you want your business to stand out, you need to be willing to do things differently, to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. And, lastly, by embracing the unknown, you cultivate trust in yourself and the process.

Speaker 1:

Each time you face uncertainty and come out of the other side, you build confidence in your ability to handle whatever comes your way. You learn to trust your instincts, adapt to new challenges and develop a sense of inner calm amongst the chaos. So how can we build this mindset? The first thing to do is practice gratitude for the journey, not just the destination. When you're self-employed, it's easy to get fixated on outcomes, revenue goals, client numbers, but the reality is that the journey is just as important. Embrace every single twist and turn, every challenge and every surprise. These are experiences that make you more skilled and versatile as an entrepreneur.

Speaker 1:

The next thing to do is reframe challenges as opportunities. Next time you face unknown situation, ask yourself what can I learn from this or how can this help me grow? By reframing challenges as opportunities, you shift your mindset from fear to curiosity. Curiosity is a powerful tool for tackling the unknown because it keeps you open, engaged and willing to explore new solutions. And the next thing is take action, even when you're not fully prepared.

Speaker 1:

A big part of dealing with the unknown is simply taking action. Waiting until you have all the answers is not the way to go. Instead, take the first step, even if it's a small one. Trust that you'll figure things out as you go. Action builds momentum and momentum builds confidence. Then that moves on to developing a daily reflection practice. At the end of each day, spend a few minutes reflecting what you face and how you handled it. Ask yourself what can I improve on? How did I adapt to the unknown today? Reflection helps you learn from the experiences, reinforcing the belief that you are capable of navigating uncertainty.

Speaker 1:

So, just to wrap up today's podcast, remember the unknown is not something to fear, it's something to embrace. Every great adventure, groundbreaking idea and meaningful achievement start with someone willing to take a step into the unknown, and let that someone be you. The beauty of being self-employed is that you have the freedom to chart your own. Yes, that comes with challenges, uncertainties, but also brings tremendous rewards. So, as you're heading to the weekend, I encourage you to embrace the unknown with a sense of curiosity, courage and excitement for what's ahead. Know that you have the inner strength to handle whatever comes your way, trust that each step you're taking is leading you to exactly where you're meant to go, and that's it. That's today's podcast. If you like this podcast, please like, share and review. I really do appreciate your feedback. Have an amazing day, have an amazing weekend. Stay motivated, stay focused, stay positive. Run your own race.