Uncertainty can make it very hard to get things done. It’s very hard for us to deal with procrastination because we believe we’ll always have a lot of time to complete projects. The problem is that most people who put off projects often never complete them. If you take immediate action, then you’re more likely to stop procrastinating and finish projects.

Let’s assume that you want to ask for a raise from your boss. Your boss might not like the idea of increasing your pay, so you may end up worrying about getting in some kind of trouble for asking. One way to push through this form of uncertainty is to justify your actions in your own mind. If you know for certain that you definitely deserve a raise, then asking for increased pay shouldn’t be a problem. If you don’t feel that you deserve a raise, then the problem might be that you need to simply perform better at your job. Building your skills will increase your confidence, and you won’t worry about asking for a raise because it’s something you know you deserve.

How to Avoid Putting Off Major Projects

Sometimes we procrastinate because a job seems too difficult to complete. This is certainly a problem for many people when it comes to home design projects. You might worry that you’ll first need to clean up your home or move furniture. Some projects are much easier to complete than most people think. Installing floating wall shelves may first seem challenging, but one of these projects can be completed in just a few minutes. There are certainly much harder home improvement projects that take a lot more time to complete.

One reason we put off big home-remodeling projects is that we worry about working with contractors. If we don’t select the right contractor, then they may end up doing subpar work. If you conduct research, then you’ll feel more confident about working with an expert. Learning to ask the right questions is very important.

Procrastination and Personal Relationships

People often put off improving personal relationships out of fear. Communication is an important element of all successful relationships. Healthy relationships require time and effort. If you aren’t willing to put in the time needed to build a strong relationship, then things may get worse over time. Some uncertainty is always guaranteed, but you can improve your chances by telling the other person how you feel. You should never feel afraid to express yourself. Problems occur when people are afraid to speak their mind and inform others about how they are feeling. This is why many therapists recommend couples occasionally engage in arguments to work through their problems. If you don’t take time to work out your problems, then the relationship may permanently fall apart.

Dealing With Uncertainty

Part of the reason people fear uncertainty is that it makes us irrational. Successful people develop ways to cope with uncertainty. Developing the right strategies can make it easier to take action. Successful people remain positive at all times. It can be very tempting to become negative when it comes time to make decisions, but remaining positive can help uncertain people cope with dilemmas. Successful people deal with uncertainty by accepting the fact that there are some things they cannot control. Many problems might be much easier to deal with than you think. People can also cope with uncertainty by:

• Becoming more knowledgeable
• Taking small steps in the beginning
• Working on controlling their emotions

You will fear uncertainty a lot less if you know as much as you can about the thing you are worried about. Taking small steps is important because you may get overwhelmed by the amount of work that needs to be done. Just completing a little bit of work a day can make a seemingly impossible task manageable. Improving your emotional intelligence can help you reduce uncertainty. Many fears that people have are simply irrational, and people can dispel these fears by regulating their emotions. Try not to take action when you are in a bad mood. Avoid making rash decisions as much as possible. If you carefully design your project, then you’re more likely to know exactly what to do when it’s time to execute your plans.

–Sara Stringer is a freelance writer who most enjoys blogging about lifestyle, relationships and life as a woman. In her spare time, she enjoys soaking up the sunshine with her husband and two kids. Compensation was received for the editing and publishing of this article.

[Photos via Unsplash]