The Unexpected Key to Adapting to Change

Editors Note: This essay is excerpted from Maggie Jackson's latest book, "Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure," scheduled for release on November 7 by Prometheus Books. The views expressed in this commentary are solely her own. For more opinions, visit CNN.

Like many individuals around the globe, the pandemic led me to develop a strong affinity for year-round ocean swimming. I familiarized myself with various apps that provide information on wave height and wind velocity along the section of Rhode Island's coastline where I swim nearly every day, accompanied by a group of dedicated enthusiasts. We acquired a profound understanding of local currents and learned when it was best to seek the shelter of a nearby harbor.

Yet, despite all our accumulated experience, every morning swim continues to be a collection of uncertainties rather than certainties. How much endurance can you have while wearing a wetsuit in the freezing depths of a 38-degree January sea? Will the misty shroud of dawn dissipate or render the shoreline dangerously indiscernible? Amidst it all, we are mostly left in a state of unknowing.

Maggie Jackson

Karen Smul

The uncertainty, I have come to understand, is a significant factor in why these challenging yet delightful mornings have been so enriching, benefiting both my body and mind. Through each stroke, I am uncovering the valuable cognitive reward of being uncertain.

Is not-knowing a form of strength? It may seem contradictory. It is often easy to feel overwhelmed by the countless unknowns or what scientists refer to as aleatory uncertainty. Economic and geopolitical uncertainty has been steadily increasing since the 1990s, with notable spikes in recent years, as indicated by analyses conducted by Stanford University economist Nicholas Bloom.

Why should we dwell in uncertainty during unpredictable times? Why should we particularly embrace the uneasy feeling of not-knowing when faced with anything obscure or unfamiliar? Nowadays, we typically crave definite answers.

However, it is precisely during these times that we cannot afford to cling to absolute certainty and overlook the hidden chances for personal development and insight that uncertainty presents. My daily experiences of not-knowing hint at the discoveries being made in the emerging field of uncertainty science: This mindset leads to curiosity, adaptability, and resilience - the very mental abilities crucial in times of transformation.

This mindset is a path to curiosity, adaptability and resilience.

Maggie Jackson

"According to neuroscientist Joseph Kable from the University of Pennsylvania, uncertainty has the power to disrupt our comfort and increase our receptiveness to new information. It also plays a crucial role in priming our brains for learning.

But how exactly does uncertainty enhance our cognitive abilities? Consider the unsettled feeling you experience on the first day of a new job or when unexpected roadwork disrupts your commute. These unfamiliar, ambiguous, and unexpected situations trigger the release of stress hormones and chemicals in the brain. This creates a sense of mismatch between our old expectations and the new realities we face. The state of not knowing, characterized by symptoms of stress like dilated pupils, sweaty skin, and elevated cortisol levels, is uncomfortable for us. However, it is precisely this discomfort that helps us grow and benefit from this mindset.

As human beings, we naturally crave answers and seek to understand. Therefore, being in a state of not-knowing and uncertainty can be unsettling. However, it is through embracing this uncertainty that we can ultimately expand our knowledge and abilities."

As we encounter something unfamiliar, the brain's reception of new information is heightened by powerful neurotransmitters like norepinephrine. These neurotransmitters activate cognitive circuits that adaptively regulate attention and prepare specific regions of the brain for sharing information. In a matter of milliseconds, the trigger of uncertainty disrupts our ongoing actions, prompting the cognitive systems necessary to revise an outdated understanding of the world.

Schools are embracing eco-friendly practices during the holiday season by taking measures to ban non-biodegradable glitter and eliminate the use of Christmas crackers. In an effort to promote sustainability, one school encouraged students to bring in their Christmas jumpers for a swap instead of purchasing new ones. Additionally, another school opted to reuse or recycle nativity scenery and costumes. This initiative comes as eco-conscious pupils, parents, and teachers advocate for greater action in addressing the climate crisis.

The excitement caused by uncertainty places us in the ideal position during times of change, at the forefront of transformation. "Feeling the highest level of stress in the most unpredictable circumstances is desirable," explains Robb Rutledge from Yale University. "It indicates that we are attuned to our surroundings."

A study conducted by Rutledge and colleagues in 2016 found that embracing uncertainty during times of change can be beneficial. In the study, volunteers were shown images of various rocks and were asked to guess where snakes were hiding. The players had the opportunity to earn money by accurately predicting the hidden patterns of the game. However, even if their predictions were correct, they still experienced a mild shock when a snake appeared. The study revealed that the game became more challenging when the rules changed, but some players were able to rise to the occasion during these periods of high uncertainty.

The individuals who had the highest sensitivity to the varying levels of uncertainty in the games made the most precise predictions. Essentially, they acknowledged the ever-changing nature of life. Research indicates that by stubbornly holding onto the notion that a situation is stable when it is actually not, we are less likely to recognize the shifting realities. On the other hand, the most skilled individuals put in the necessary effort to recognize when the world was presenting opportunities for growth and learning. Norepinephrine serves as a measure of cognitive effort.

Research shows that chief executives who are ambivalent in a crisis tend to be more resourceful than the decisive leaders we often admire. By embracing uncertainty, they become open to possibilities. As a result, they are more likely to be curious. According to studies conducted by Todd Kashdan of George Mason University, being willing to explore new, mysterious, or complex situations despite their unsettling nature is a key element of a curious disposition. Paul Silvia of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro adds that curious people are not afraid to feel uncomfortable when trying new things. In the workplace, individuals with a high level of curiosity are more likely to express dissent, seek challenges, and be engaged.

Remarkably, the ability to venture into unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory is also the characteristic of a curious individual that is strongly linked to overall well-being and experiencing positive emotions. Supporting this correlation, a study conducted by Stephanie Gorka from Ohio State University revealed that young adults who demonstrated a higher level of "intolerance of uncertainty" prior to the pandemic struggled more mentally during its peak compared to those who perceived uncertainty as less problematic.

It may be surprising that individuals who are able to cope with and even embrace unsettling unknowns find joy in life. However, it is our capacity to embrace both times of ease and unease that uplifts both our physical and mental well-being. By embracing uncertain surprises and shattered expectations as opportunities for growth and learning, we can fill our days with a sense of awe instead of fear.

By treating opaque surprises and broken expectations as chances to learn, we can spend our days steeped in wonder, not fear.

Maggie Jackson

Today, our fear of uncertainty seems to be growing. According to Nicholas Carleton of the University of Regina in Canada, our constant dependence on smartphones for immediate answers may be reducing our exposure to everyday uncertainties. Through a meta-analysis of data from 1999 to 2014, Carleton also discovered that our intolerance of uncertainty has increased alongside the use of smartphones and the internet.

Furthermore, leaders who take a moment to consider a difficult problem in public are often seen as less competent compared to those who react immediately. It is time to change our mindset and embrace uncertainty, as it is not the problem we perceive it to be. Instead, it presents us with numerous opportunities for growth and success.

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Once, my fellow swimmer Stephen Bird and I approached a massive offshore rock that has become a regular part of our morning adventures. The water was tumultuous, making it uncertain what awaited us on the opposite side of the rock. It was approximately 700 feet away from the shore and fully exposed to the churning Atlantic.

Stephen paused, casting a glance back at me, capturing the intensity of the moment. "This is the moment," he proclaimed, his voice trailing behind him. "Out there, there are 2,000 miles of sheer emptiness – intimidating yet thrilling."

I understood his sentiment. The rugged terrain embodied the boundaries of our understanding, inviting us to push beyond them. Every morning, we eagerly sought out this edge, knowing it would fuel our growth. "Let's embark on this adventure," he implored. And so, we ventured forth.