Fear and curiosity are opposing responses to the same condition of uncertainty.
Let’s explore this by contrasting two scenarios with similar conditions: finding a job and planning a holiday.
There is a lot of uncertainty that comes with finding a job, particularly after university. You usually need to find a job by a deadline, and you may not have a back-up option available. It’s a really big commitment, and you want to make the right choice. You want to feel excited by the prospects, but you’re primarily feeling fear about the unknown and what could happen.
There’s also a lot of uncertainty when you plan a holiday. There is usually a deadline around your available leave, and you also have a lot of options to choose from. A holiday can require a big commitment, and there are plenty of things that may go wrong. But you’re embracing this uncertainty with curiosity and are really excited to dive into the unknown.
Now, I can just as easily provide the same scenarios and reverse the responses. All I need to do is switch the last sentences from each example and it will completely change the perspective.
So when you are dealing with uncertainty and you are feeling fearful, try to embrace a sense of curiosity instead.
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