The Present and The Future Look Uncertain? Turn to Your Curiosity. By Van Lai-DuMone

I have described what I’m feeling during this time – during this global pandemic – as an undercurrent of anxiety. It’s always there. And because of its consistency, it often goes unnoticed. And then, something happens to shift the status quo, and suddenly I am acutely aware of it. I have described what I’m feeling during this time – during this global pandemic – as an undercurrent of anxiety. It’s always there. And because of its consistency, it often goes unnoticed. And then, something happens to shift the status quo, and suddenly I am acutely aware of it. 
Does this feeling resonate with any of you? 
I’ve deduced the source of this particular anxiety to the fact that collectively, we are all facing the unknown. And with uncertainty, often comes anxiety. But along with uncertainty and challenge, also comes possibility! And I’ve committed to myself, that rather than letting the anxiety of the unknown get the best of me; I’m going to use this time to get curious. 
I want to offer all of you reading this, a framework to help you look at uncertainty through the lens of possibility. And to do that, the first thing we need to do is get curious, then ask ‘What if?’, and follow that ‘What if?’ with one small step forward. 
Get Curious.
As human beings, we are all curious. Often times we overlook our curiosities because we are too busy. But I propose that our curiosities are intuitive – and we are meant to follow the curiosities that find their way to us. 
Now that this pandemic has forced us all to pivot away from our norm, we can use our curiosity to create alternate possibilities for ourselves at home and at work, for ourselves, our families, our teams, and our communities. 
For example: ⦁ I’m curious about how having dinner all together can strengthen our communication as a family?  (home)⦁ I’m curious if there is a way to adapt our offerings in a fun way virtually? (work)
The key to following your curiosity, is to first recognize it. Take a pause. Don’t dismiss it. 
What if?
Now that you have recognized that curiosity – ask yourself ‘What if?’. What are all the possibilities that can come from following that curiosity?  
Note: This is no time to think logically. This is where you dream big, set aside judgement and welcome wild and crazy ideas! 
And get other people involved in your ideation. In times of anxiety, collective creativity has the power to substitute fear and panic with possibilities.
Once you have exhausted all ideas – you can now bring in logic and add criteria to your ‘What if?’. Here is where you narrow down your possibilities to one or two that you can take action on. This does not mean the others are irrelevant. This is just your starting point.