THE STORY

What Now is an iconic Kids Television show that airs on New Zealand TV. It's been around for years and years, and I even remember it being on even when I was a kid. That's quite a long time ago I can assure you! 

One of the things that they're famous for, and infamous, is their visit to schools and kura around the country. These episodes are always full of fun and mischief, and the kids love to see on nationwide TV the antics that the What Now team get up to in their schools.

I've been very fortunate to be on What Now a couple of times in my role as a school Principal. The second time involved a lot of uncertainty. The What Now crew were scheduled to arrive in the middle of the autumn months and most of the filming for the episode was scheduled to be outside.

The filming for the show also involved a lot of water, a lot of detergent suds, a lot of excited kids, and the infamous What Now Gunge; a green, slimy, sludgy liquid that would be no doubt be poured all over me!

I was mega excited about the whole event. No doubt it was going to be a highlight of our school year, even though it came with so much uncertainty and potential anxiety.

The uncertainty came in many layers:

• There was the weather - the weather forecast was terrible. It looked like rain, and cold!
• If the weather didn't come to the party then much of what had been planned for the filming would need to be cancelled
• The kids were highly motivated to be on the tele! And that's putting it lightly. So there was a lot of uncertainty regarding how the students, and in particular a small group of "certain" students, would behave
• There was uncertainty in my own mind about how I would come across on the tele! How would I be seen? How would I be heard? How would I be judged or perceived?

And this was just the tip of the iceberg of things that no doubt flew through my mind prior to the filming.

I needn't have worried. In reality, even though I was certain that a lot of things would indeed be uncertain, it was all worth it.

The kids had a fantastic time. There was great laughter. All of the filming went to plan. And I had just the best time!

And I got gunged. 

Life is full of these types of experiences (maybe not the gunging part), and they always come with many levels of uncertainty about them. The lesson isn't to shy away from the uncertain, but to find a way embrace it.

So what?

How do we get the most out of Uncertainty?

Embracing and making the most out of uncertainty requires a mindset and a set of strategies to navigate unpredictable situations. Here are some suggestions:

1. Adopt a Growth Mindset:

   • View challenges and uncertainties as opportunities for learning and growth.
   • Embrace the idea that setbacks and failures are part of the learning process.

2. Cultivate Flexibility:

   • Be adaptable and open to change. Rigidity can hinder your ability to navigate uncertainty effectively.
   • Develop the ability to pivot and adjust your strategies as circumstances evolve.

3. Focus on What You Can Control:

   • Identify aspects of a situation that you have control over and concentrate your efforts there.
   • Accept that there will always be elements beyond your control, and work on letting go of unnecessary worry about them.

4. Build Resilience:

   • Strengthen your ability to bounce back from setbacks. This involves developing coping mechanisms and a support system.
   • Learn from challenges and use them to build resilience for future uncertainties.

5. Seek Opportunities in Change:

   • Uncertain times often bring about change. Instead of fearing change, look for opportunities within it.
   • Consider how you can leverage change to your advantage, whether it's in your personal or professional life.

6. Stay Informed:

   • Stay updated on relevant information and developments that may impact your situation.
   • Being well-informed can help you make more informed decisions and feel more in control, even in uncertain environments.

7. Develop Decision-Making Skills:

   • Enhance your ability to make decisions under uncertainty. This involves gathering relevant information, analyzing potential outcomes, and making informed choices.
   • Accept that not all decisions will have guaranteed outcomes, and that's okay.

8. Collaborate and Network:

   • Build strong relationships with others. Collaboration and networking can provide additional perspectives and resources during uncertain times.
   • A diverse network can offer different insights and support.

9. Continuous Learning:

   • Stay curious and commit to continuous learning. The more skills and knowledge you acquire, the better equipped you'll be to handle a variety of situations.
   • Develop a learning mindset that sees every experience, whether positive or negative, as an opportunity to gain insights.

10. Practice Mindfulness:

    • Cultivate mindfulness practices to help manage stress and stay focused in the present moment.
    • Mindfulness can enhance your ability to make clear-headed decisions, even in uncertain and stressful situations.

Remember, making the most out of uncertainty is a skill that can be developed over time. It's about building a resilient mindset, staying adaptable, and finding opportunities within the challenges presented by uncertainty.