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Embrace Uncertainty

By Michele, on November 30th, 2010

(Part Four of our series on “Agility Training for the Cancer Registrar”)

Much is said today in business, healthcare and Cancer Registry about change.  In fact, one thing I know for sure is that we, as cancer registry professionals, are undergoing an unprecedented degree of change right now which will continue well into our future.   Thinking about change today or projecting how it will impact our future can settle in on us like a dense fog and cause us to lose our bearings and sense of where we are.  We may not be sure of which way to go when we reach a fork in the road because we can’t see the choices in front of us because of the fog.  Uncertainty can paralyze us with fear or it can thrust us into a world of new possibilities.    

Change brings chaos into our normally well-ordered lives and introduces levels of unpredictability and uncertainty that make us uncomfortable.  Dealing with change is challenging, tiring and even threatening, but the flip side is that it provides the cancer registrar with tremendous opportunities for growth.  Let’s look at how we can focus on accommodating the change instead of railing against it. 

In the first article of our on developing agility in the cancer registry, we introduced embracing uncertainty as one way of becoming agile, or flexible in business.  Agile cancer registrars will drive out uncertainty by developing working solutions and adjusting the registry’s operations in order to accommodate change.  Dealing with uncertainty in a positive manner and being willing to accept things that are unknown or unpredictable are big parts of learning to be agile. 

To help you face the challenges in a positive manner and to increase your agility in the cancer registry and healthcare business, here are four ways you can explore change:

  • Accept reality without fussing about the outcome.  Face reality with no judgment.  Think of the unknown as neutral rather than good or bad.  Let go and detach from any outcome you cannot control.  Keep your options open.
  • Explore the unknown.  Ask yourself these questions:
    • What are all the things that are great about being a cancer registrar?
    • What is the worst that can happen?
    • What is the likelihood that the worse will happen?
    • If the worst were to happen, what do I need to do prepare?
  • Interrupt worry.  The unknown can cause us to worry to the point of doing physical harm, but only if you let it.  When worry starts to creep into your thoughts, interrupt it!  Simply do not allow it to take hold of you.  Here is how you can interrupt worry:
    • Get busy:  occupy your body and your mind will follow.
    • Put it off:  decide to enjoy today and maybe you’ll worry tomorrow – if it feels right.
    • Turn it over:  write down your worry, put it in a box, and turn it over to a higher power.
    • Hum a tune:  it is impossible to worry when you’re singing or humming, even if it is not out loud.  Find a song that gives you strength.  “A Beautiful Day” by India.Arie is a great one.  
  • Trust yourself.  You’ve probably faced change and challenges in the past.  Reflect on those times and remind yourself how well you handled them, even though you may have been uncomfortable at the time.  Trust in your abilities, thoughts and experience to take you through the transition.  

None of us can be certain about tomorrow or the future of cancer registry.  We can fret and fume about it, but no matter how much noise we make, we cannot control it.  What we CAN do, each of us as cancer registry professionals, is make the most of each moment…each NOW….because that is really all we have.  Only you can bring peace and acceptance of the unknown to you.  

Accepting change and allowing uncertainty into our lives can lead us to a higher state of functioning as cancer registrars.  Embracing uncertainty, then, is really just an engaging process in which we let go of control.  Think of this as a spiraling UP in complexity, moving up the ladder of intellectual, emotional and professional growth.  Engage your co-workers, peers and leaders in the process of embracing uncertainty.  Don’t be afraid to network and ask for help and guidance where needed.  By welcoming uncertainty and unpredictability into your life you will be expanding your horizons and developing agility in your cancer registry that will lead to great success and self-fulfillment!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  How are you accomodating change and uncertainty in your cancer registry and life?  Send us your feedback or thoughts on this article and critic topic today.

http://www.RegistryMindset.com.  Michele Webb, America’s Cancer Registry Coach, is a nationally recognized, certified cancer registrar (CTR).  She cares passionately about helping cancer registrars around the world to grow personally and professionally and serves her community as a motivational speaker, author, and educator.  You have permission to repost this article as long as you do not alter it in any way, give credit to the author and link back to her website.        

 

November 30th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , | Category: Analytical Mindset, Leadership, Registry Mindset
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