Even though the acronym was coined before Covid-19, the pandemic has brought everyone to a realization that the world is increasingly getting more Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous. Welcome to the VUCA times!

The lack of control that we feel during these times has increased exponentially. Such chaos is observed, not only in the corporate world (which is where the acronym was born) but in all spheres of life. The feeling of uncertainty is not felt only in the stock market fluctuations, but also in job security, media reports, personal conversations, reliability of social support, and even personal relationships. Check out how our brain reacts to uncertain times here.

What Does VUCA Really Mean?

VUCA stands for Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous.

• Volatility stands for the speed at which circumstances, facts, and situations change.
• Uncertainty is the phrase used to define the fact that predictions are less and less reliable. Uncertainty also arises due to the complex nature of the situations that we find ourselves in.
• Complex stands for the numerous infinite variables that we find ourselves considering when we try and predict what will happen next or plan for it. Not only are there a large number of variables to consider, but the relationship between these numerous variables also forms a maze that feels impossible to get out of.
• Ambiguity is used to define our world today because many of us are totally lost about what sense to make of the things that are happening right in front of us.

Do We Really Live in VUCA Times?

One can be sure that almost everyone will agree that we live in complex, volatile, unpredictable, and crazy times. This is the popular mindset due to the exponential rate at which our reality has changed. Some of these include digitization, artificial intelligence, globalization, big data, medical advancements, robotics, financial crises, global warming, environmental hazards, and terrorism.

While there is no doubt that the rate at which things have changed has been faster than ever before, these concerns do not seem to be new. Even when you read the newspapers or business reports of decades ago, there has been reference to the times as ‘an era of rapid change like never before’ or ‘new normal’.

Times have been tough and uncertain before too. Would you consider the World Wars to be times of less uncertainty, less volatility, less ambiguity, or less complexity? It can be argued that many generations have found themselves in such confusing times before us too.

What then has changed? And how can we manage to lead fulfilling lives in such times?

Over the years, the human race seems to have lost touch with it’s inner-self. We are less equipped to handles external turbulences (that were there before in different forms and are present now in their new avatars) because we have looked too much towards the outside.

Blinded by materialism and consumerism, and endlessly running in the hamster wheel to acquire more followers, wealth, power, popularity, beauty, and praise (in the form of likes and comments), we have continued to look outside. Personal truths have been replaced by universally accepted ideas!

How to Manage Your Life in these VUCA Times?

Now that we understand what these VUCA times really mean and why we really feel so vulnerable and susceptible to the volatility, complexity, uncertainty, and ambiguity, we can begin to explore how to change how we feel.

In his article in PsychologyToday.com, Relly Nadler Psy.D., M.C.C. mentions how VUCA is the answer to these VUCA times, except his VUCA stands for Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility. It is clear that the answer to managing the chaos lies ‘within’. We can upgrade, upskill, obtain certificates, followers, acclaim, power, and all that we desire and we still may not feel empowered enough to handle these VUCA times.

However, control over self and a deep understanding of your true self can lead you towards the answers that the external world cannot provide. Here are some practical suggestions to charge up your power bank (so you always have the energy and charge to take on VUCA happenings outside of you).

Start by Spending Time with Yourself

Thanks to technology, no one is ever alone these days. To connect with yourself, it is ideal to switch off your phone or put it on silent and leave it in another room and spend time with only your thoughts. You could do this while sitting at home or taking a walk alone. The idea is to learn to be a witness to your own thoughts consciously.

As you progress in this journey, you will start to talk to yourself (and that is a good thing). You will learn to question your own thoughts, play the advocate (the defense attorney and the prosecuting counsel too), and you will also learn to start to listen to your own voice.

Dig Deeper to Discover Who You are

As you start spending time with yourself and become comfortable with it, start to venture into areas that you may have been consciously or unconsciously avoiding. This is the process of redefining yourself without any external pressures. We tend to define ourselves based on how we have been brought up, what other people said about us, the trends in society, and the things that we end up doing because they seem easier than the tough road.

When you have the courage to go there, consciously shed all previous beliefs and be true to yourself about everything. What do you really like doing? Who are the people who actually give you pleasure? Who do you feel connected with? What activity really energizes you? What questions about yourself have you been avoiding? What would you do if you could do ‘anything’? Knowing yourself completely is a great way to start to love yourself for who you really are. When you open yourself up to yourself, you learn to love the real you and then there is no room for pretense or conflict (at least on the inside).

Allow Personal Truths

When you know and love yourself for who you truly are, you also automatically get the courage to realize your own truths. This means that you no longer feel defined and confined by the things that ‘should’ be done. You are then free to define your own truths and understand life from your own perspective. You are able to then start a spiritual journey into living your life in the way it was meant to be.

You (as a soul) came into this world for a purpose and that purpose will only reveal itself to you when you can consciously be your true self. The understanding comes from believing that there is absolutely no universal truth about how society should function. You create your own truth. For example, I can choose the believe that if I do not dress up in a particular manner, people will not like me. Or I can choose to believe that if I dress up and be myself, I will truly attract the people who actually see me for who I am and not for who I am dressed up to be. (This dress metaphor applies to not just the physical presentation but who you show up as – yourself or someone you think you should be).

Realize your Purpose and Vision

As life becomes clearer, your real purpose in life will become clearer and a vision will develop. While all this seems extremely spiritual and a process of soul-searching, it guides you in everyday life too. When you know these things about yourself, stress becomes a thing of the past, irrespective of the kind of chaos that is happening in the office. There is a deeper and more meaningful understanding of relationships. With such high levels of control over oneself and one’s emotions, you learn how to control your thoughts, direct them towards positivity, and you also learn how to ensure you create the right boundaries that help you navigate.

Most of all, it allows you to live a life that is more meaningful and fulfilling, in a manner that you understand.

PS: A lot of what is written above is a case of ‘easier said than done’. The idea behind the whole article is to start you on a journey that can equip you to handle VUCA times. It allows you to handle all the craziness that goes on in the world because you are ‘sorted’ within!

Get in touch if you want to start your stress-free journey today!

Featured image by ElisaRiva from Pixabay