Uncertainty May Be The Driver of Your Fear and Anxiety: Here’s a Simple Mindset Shift (4 Min Read)

Turning Uncertainty into Opportunity: A Simple Mindset Shift for Entrepreneurs

Earlier this year, I faced a work situation that brought an unusual amount of anxiety and fear—something I don’t often experience. As I tried to process these emotions, I realized that the root cause was uncertainty. Not knowing how things would turn out was unsettling, and that got me thinking: How do you combat uncertainty?

You can’t just flip a switch and suddenly be 100% certain about the outcome of your decisions. But I discovered a simple way to work through these feelings, which has now become an essential tool in my daily life and work.

Here’s the approach I developed:

I drew a simple line in my journal:

100% uncertain ——————————— 100% certain

For every challenge I face, I can graph it somewhere on that line. I realized that most situations are neither 100% uncertain nor 100% certain. Once I know where I am on the spectrum, it becomes a question of probabilities: “Will my next decision increase the certainty or probability of the desired outcome, even by 1%?”

This small shift in thinking—just aiming to improve by 1%—helps me feel more in control. It breaks down the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty into manageable steps, making it more like a game I can influence and ultimately win. And as I move even slightly closer to certainty, the fear and anxiety naturally diminish.

This exercise has become a daily practice, both for myself and in coaching others through challenges. It simplifies the process of decision-making by focusing on progress rather than perfection.

Here’s how you can apply this approach to your business and life:

1. Assess where you are. Identify which challenge or decision is causing you anxiety right now. For each challenge or decision, determine what probability you think there is in getting the exact result you want…graph it on your uncertainty scale. Are you 80% certain about your marketing strategy but only 40% sure about your pricing model? Mapping out where you stand gives you clarity.
2. Identify the next small step. Ask yourself, “What action can I take today to move 1% closer to certainty?” It could be as simple as making a phone call, conducting research, or testing a new strategy.
3. Focus on progress, not perfection. Don’t aim for 100% certainty right away. Focus on small, incremental improvements. As you make decisions, you’ll start to feel more confident and capable of navigating the unknown. The probability gradually increases.
4. Reduce fear by increasing control. Anxiety and fear often stem from a lack of control. By breaking your big uncertainties into smaller, actionable steps, you regain a sense of control over the outcome. Reduced stress actually increases your confidence and productivity which accelerates the rate of probability increase.

The Entrepreneur’s Journey: Uncertainty Is Part of the Process

Much like life, entrepreneurship is not about having all the answers or being 100% certain all the time. It’s about moving forward, learning as you go, and making the best possible decisions with the information you have.

When you encounter moments of doubt or fear, try to identify the uncertainty behind them. Then, rather than getting overwhelmed by the gap between where you are and where you want to be, focus on what you can do today to increase your certainty by just 1%. Over time, those small steps add up to significant progress.

Remember, running a business like life is about navigating uncertainty, not eliminating it. By embracing uncertainty and focusing on small, manageable improvements, you’ll reduce the fear that comes with the unknown and turn challenges into opportunities for growth. Breathe…you got this…I believe in you.

Go live life on your terms,

Marcus