Uncertainty audiobook cover - Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance

Uncertainty

Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance

Jonathan Fields

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Categories:
PsychologyMotivation & Inspiration

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

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Key Takeaways from Uncertainty

Learning Tools

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Mind Map

Uncertainty
The Nature of Fear & Risk+
The Value of Embracing Uncertainty+
Certainty Anchors+
The Role of Feedback+
Mental & Physical Training+
Assessment & Reframing+
Conquering Fear of Failure+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
Why did the Harvard experiment find that painters working on commission were less creative?
  • A. They lacked the technical skills required for commissioned work.
  • B. They were forced to match the purchaser’s expectations instead of experimenting.
  • C. They spent too much time negotiating contracts instead of painting.
  • D. They felt overwhelmed by the lack of constraints in their assignments.
Question 2 of 8
According to psychologist Franck Zenasni's study, what is a key characteristic of highly creative people?
  • A. They prefer predictable and previously tested approaches.
  • B. They strictly avoid any form of ambiguity in their work environments.
  • C. They rely heavily on the past experiences of others to solve problems.
  • D. They are willing to accept uncertainty and tolerate a degree of ambiguity.
Question 3 of 8
How do daily routines and rituals, such as going to the gym, benefit the creative process?
  • A. They act as 'certainty anchors' that release us from unimportant decisions and calm our minds.
  • B. They introduce a healthy amount of chaos and spontaneity to spark new ideas.
  • C. They force creatives to abandon their big ideas and focus entirely on administration.
  • D. They provide a necessary distraction that allows people to procrastinate on impending deadlines.
Question 4 of 8
What is the primary purpose of a 'creative hive' in the context of managing uncertainty?
  • A. To isolate an entrepreneur from negative feedback until a product is completely finished.
  • B. To outsource the administrative and process-oriented tasks of a creative project.
  • C. To provide a community of like-minded professionals who offer regular criticism and support.
  • D. To secure financial backing from early-stage investors without risking personal capital.
Question 5 of 8
How does Attentional Training (AT), such as visualization or meditation, help individuals handle uncertainty?
  • A. It eliminates all feelings of fear and anxiety permanently.
  • B. It puts individuals at ease and cultivates mental capacities to better handle challenges.
  • C. It guarantees that a new product or idea will succeed in the market.
  • D. It distracts the brain so that the individual no longer cares about the outcome of their work.
Question 6 of 8
What does the psychological technique of 'cognitive reappraisal' involve?
  • A. Ignoring your fears and anxieties until they eventually disappear on their own.
  • B. Looking at the facts and changing the story you tell yourself about your fear.
  • C. Hiring a professional therapist to evaluate your business decisions.
  • D. Comparing your creative output to that of your most successful competitors.
Question 7 of 8
When dealing with the fear of failure, what is the primary danger of having a 'fixed mind-set'?
  • A. You believe talent is genetic, so you give up easily when facing uncertainty or unfamiliar exercises.
  • B. You become too obsessed with incorporating customer feedback and lose your original creative vision.
  • C. You take on too much financial risk because you stubbornly believe that you cannot fail.
  • D. You constantly change your goals, making it impossible to finish a single project.
Question 8 of 8
According to the book's actionable advice, what should you do when a major deadline is approaching?
  • A. Drop all hobbies and focus entirely on the task day and night.
  • B. Pull at least one all-nighter to ensure the project is completed on time.
  • C. Maintain your social and exercise routines to stay calm and focused.
  • D. Delegate your most important tasks to members of your creative hive.

Uncertainty — Full Chapter Overview

Uncertainty Summary & Overview

Uncertainty (2011) offers us the chance to tackle our fear of failure and the unknown, and discover the steps we can take to be focused, productive, confident and successful.

Who Should Listen to Uncertainty?

  • Creatives who want to make the most of their potential
  • Anyone who has to deal with uncertainty and stress in their profession
  • Anyone who wants to understand the secret of people who seem to have no fear

About the Author: Jonathan Fields

Jonathan Fields is an entrepreneur, author and business strategist. He is the author of Career Renegade and has been featured in the New York Times, Businessweek and the Wall Street Journal. Field blogs on his site JonathanFields.com and for GoodLifeProject.com, covering entrepreneurship and lifestyle.

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