Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt into Fuel for Brilliance

by Jonathan Fields

Jonathan Fields knows the risks-and potential power-of uncertainty. He gave up a six-figure income as a lawyer to make $12 an hour as a personal trainer. Then, married with a 3-month old baby, he signed a lease to launch a yoga center in the heart of New York City. . . the day before 9/11. But he survived, and along the way he developed a fresh approach to transforming uncertainty, risk of loss, and exposure to judgment into catalysts for innovation, creation, and achievement. Properly understood and harnessed, fear and uncertainty can become fuel for creative genius rather than sources of pain, anxiety, and suffering. In business, art, and life, creating on a world-class level demands bold action and leaps of faith in the face of great uncertainty. But that uncertainty can lead to fear, anxiety, paralysis, and destruction. It can gut creativity and stifle innovation. It can keep you from taking the risks necessary to do great work and craft a deeply-rewarding life. And it can bring companies that rely on innovation grinding to a halt. That is, unless you know how to use it to your advantage.
Fields draws on leading-edge technology, cognitive-science and ancient awareness-focusing techniques in a fresh, practical, non-dogmatic way. His approach enables creativity and productivity on an entirely different level and can turn the once-tortuous journey into a more enjoyable quest. Fields will reveal how

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Self Help, Psychology, Personal Development, Personal Growth, Audiobook

240 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Jonathan Fields is a dad, husband, award-winning author, executive producer, and host of one of the top-ranked podcasts in the world, Good Life Project®. He's also the Founder of Spark Endeavors and creator of the Sparketypes®, a set of imprints and tools tapped by over 500,000 people to discover the work that makes them come alive.

Jonathan has written a number of books on human potential and speaks globally to groups and organizations. His work has been featured widely in the media, including The New York Times, FastCompany, Oprah Magazine, Entrepreneur, Forbes, Inc., Elle, Allure, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and more.

Reviews

[Emma Sea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wish I'd read Erica's review before I started this, or I wouldn't have wasted my time. I read the whole thing, hoping it would become the book I expected. And what I expected was something far more about uncertainty on a philosophical level. Instead, this is a generic "own your life" self-help book, aimed specifically at creative entrepreneurs. If you're at all interested in this genre you're read this exact book a dozen times before i.e. foster a "growth mind set," use process visualization, build a supportive community, get feedback, yadda yadda yadda. And meditate. There was a lot on meditation, specifically TM. I guess Fields is a yoga teacher, so that makes sense.

As others have noted, there are no notes. Nada. There is a page of "additional resources." This consists of details of Fields's own online diagnostic tool, pdf workbook, training courses, and a email link to book Fields for speaking engagements. Make of that what you will.

1.5 stars, rounded up.

[Erica · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't even make it to chapter two. I was originally intrigued by this book because there's so much uncertainty in everyone's lives and I thought, "I'd like to find a way to turn something so stressful into something positive." The first thing I noticed was there were no bibliographical resources, no references. When I see that, I often assume the writer is just sharing an opinion, something he's thought long and hard about and put to paper. While opinions are great, I'm not sure they should be foisted off as researched theories and methods. Maybe that's not what this books is supposed to be, maybe it is just opinion and maybe that's ok, but that's not what I'd wanted to read.
I had a difficult time with the writing; there were a few malapropisms and some wonky sentence structure. In some cases, I could not figure out what he was trying to get across. By the end of the first chapter, I felt that a lot of what I'd read was either common sense or general blathering and I was not motivated to read further.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I pick up a new business book, the first thing I do is flip to the back to check out the notes. I have a strong preference for books with lots of notes. It shows the author did his or her research, that the book is based on something other than just one person's ideas. Ideas from just one person, however grounded in experience, just aren't a big enough sample size for me. If there are no or very few notes, I assume the author's more of a motivational speaker than a writer.

I opened Uncertainty, flipped to the back, and noticed the conspicuous absence of notes. I expected a fluffy read, full of personal stories. You can understand my astonishment at the discovery that this reads like a well-researched book. The author references studies, a ton of other books, interviews with other business authors, and real life anecdotes. So where are the notes? He says things like, "A 2006 Dutch study of 19,288 twins and their families that demonstrated that those who exercise were 'less anxious, less depressed, less neurotic, and also more socially outgoing.'" Without notes, we don't know where this was published, who conducted the survey, or anything about its methodology (in other news, Fields, that was not a sentence and should not end with a period). Does Fields assume his readers won't be interested enough in what he has to say to want to read the source material? Worse, is he trying to hide the source material because maybe he was twisting it to what he wanted to say (I wouldn't typically bring this up, but I found it interesting that Jonah Lehrer was mentioned; in Fields's defense, this was published before Lehrer was exposed). No, I don't think Fields had any malicious intent here, but without a Notes section, it's hard to tell. This is, at best, really lazy. I do not like lazy.

Beyond the irritating lack of notes, Fields took a fairly egotistical tone throughout the book. I'm not used to so many Is in books like this. "I learned" and "I did" and "I found." Is Jonathan Fields a big deal? How has he proved that his opinions matter? Now, there are a LOT of biographies and business books written by successful leaders and entrepreneurs that contain a lot of Is. But we want to hear what they have to say to see if we can find the key to success in the somewhere. It's awfully presumptuous of Fields, someone you couldn't call well-known, to speak to his readers like this. What are his credentials?

This isn't to say that the book doesn't contain good ideas or that Fields's thoughts aren't worthwhile. They are but should have been presented differently. I was actually quite enjoying the book until it got all pseudo-sciencey about exercise and meditation. (Again, if you're going to make scientific claims, you need to cite your sources, and anecdotal evidence just doesn't cut it.)

It seems like the purpose of the book was to promote Fields's consulting and speaking business. The book would probably make a great presentation. Unfortunately, as a book, it falls short.

Received through 12books.

[Ron · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a general business book, it falls flat after a few chapters. However, if you are a bootstrapping entrepreneur, creative type, or someone who has been in the kind of high-pressure situation solo targeted in this book, without of course the benefits of support systems, corporate training or the benefits of a support network and your family, this book is a gem. I found myself nodding my head constantly, and although I found that I had already discovered many of the techniques that the author describes, I found myself wishing somebody had given me this book the day I open my business three years ago. It would've saved me a tremendous amount of self doubt, self torture and wealth goose chases. Not for everybody, but perfect for the right reader.

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through First Reads, woo! Now I am obligated to review it, though I would have anyway.

Jonathan Fields has felt uncertain before. As a lawyer-turned personal trainer who launched a yoga center in NYC the day before 9/11, he must have faced fears and falls. They haven't stopped him from writing Uncertainty, though. In this book he delves into the damaging effects of doubt and what we can do to defeat it. He draws from many fields, ranging from cognitive neuroscience, lifestyle reorganization, and more - and brings to light how the negative side of uncertainty can be beaten.

After reading this book, I imagine that Jonathan Fields is a nice guy. From what he's shared, he seems to be practical, down-to-earth, and a great father and husband. He's someone I wouldn't mind having lunch with on a random Wednesday.

He writes well, too. His writing is clear and concise, and it's not difficult to digest. However, I felt like none of the chapters were particularly powerful - the entire book floated by, but did not force me to flip its pages or lose sleep over it.

He covers a lot of topics, including, but not limited to: meditation, business, scientific experiments, fixed vs. growth mindsets, exercise, etc. While I appreciated the scope of his book, it never completely came together. It wasn't exactly all over the place, but the book could have been more cohesive if certain parts were cut out and others more developed.

Overall, an okay read. I wouldn't go out of my way to recommend it or buy it as a gift for a friend, but I wouldn't discourage others from trying it. I am content with my first book won on Goodreads!

*review cross-posted on my blog, the quiet voice.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good enough read on how to not let uncertainty, doubt, and the fear of judgement paralyze you.

Best bit of advice for me: pay attention to my work habits throughout the day and notice when I start to fade and not be keenly engaged in my work. Jot those times down and at the end of a week I have a pretty good pattern to guide me in structuring my day. For me, my best work is done between 7:00 and 9:00 am. After that I'm really only good for about 1/2 hour spurts of focus. The odd thing is that while my best work is done in the morning, and by work I mean grinding out the the routine tasks, my best thinking and strategery comes in the afternoon and late evening. Knowing this and seeing it played out over a span of time has really freed up a lot of time where I would otherwise be (inefficiently) slogging away at a task, not inspired, not making connections. That time I can now turn over to trying to do things a little bit differently, coming at an old problem with a new approach and not feeling overwhelmed by the additional workload.

[Dawn Lennon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up Uncertainty because I was inspired by an excerpt from it in a wonderful compilation of expert advice on expanding one's creativity regimen called Manage Your Day-to-Day by Jocelyn Glei.

Jonathan Fields has walked the walk, coming from a career that includes both business, the arts, law, and yoga practice. He has dealt with the effects of uncertainty, intellectually and physically.

The book starts strong with why uncertainty matters and how it affects the creative process whether it's starting a business, writing a book, or creating an app. He makes a concerted effort to draw creatives of all stripes to his message.

He successfully paints a picture of how uncertainty and fear take us off our game. He summarizes illustrative scientific studies to validate his perspectives. He cites a variety of others who are in his circle who serve as success cases.

The advice he gives about how to overcome uncertainty seemed commonplace, however. (See Ken Montville's excellent review below.)

I was most impacted by a simple quote that he attributed to one of his sources on pursuing creative endeavors: "You do the thing you can't not do."

The book is an bit of a disjointed ride. Too many of the studies are described in much detail. I would have rather seen the study's conclusion made and then footnoted or the details included as notes. Most of the business success stories were tech-oriented. Too often it was clear Fields was promoting the work and achievement of key players in his network. (Sadly, that's often how business books are sold. Promote others in the text and they will buy and promote your book.)

The book ended strong. Once Fields got back to his own passionate voice, his message was compelling. There were moments of lovely writing where he captures nuances of creativity and the struggles we face against fear and uncertainty that had power.

The notion that if you follow his uncertainty interventions you'll feel more in control is a bit of a stretch. Yes, they help but, as even Fields confirms, uncertainty is a perennial bedfellow. Overall, the book, although a good effort, came up a bit short.

[Angela Kidd Shinozaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an audio. I have to admit that the voice on this one threw me just a bit b/c of the constant intonations. But the book itself was wonderful. I think everyone starting a business or artistic project should read it. This concept is the key to making it as a creator. Leaning into fear and judgment. Conducting seemingly wild experiments freely. We must let the uncertainty fuel us b/c it is a necessary evil. Otherwise, what we do is simply derivative. It even talks about what to do after you go to zero, which is the worst case scenario. We can bounce back! But the worst thing we can do is nothing. The part about rituals and envisioning the process and not just the outcome was especially meaningful. Having a hive is also a cool concept. Some sections may feel like a review, such as those about the importance of exercise, balance, and meditation in relation to creative work. But overall, this book is a winner. So take uncertainty and run with it!

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A self help book on how to taking on the uncertainty of making a change or creating something new. Has some good ideas. Free Advance reader copy.

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some interest and strength because it turns 'dreams' and 'aspirations' into a plan. While there is attention to visualization and meditation, more importantly, there is attention to creating a plan, strategy and consolidated effort. The capacity to work hard - and with intensity - rather than long and frequently unproductive hours, is powerful and convincing.

Uncertainty is uneven. But there is excellent understanding of the value and importance of a question and summoning the focus to search for the answer. The book also stresses the importance of being unpopular and operating outside of normative parameters while creating something new.

[Yevgeniy Brikman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't get a whole lot from this book. It's supposed to be about how to navigate uncertain situations (e.g., starting a company), but in practice, this turns out to be a fairly standard business book. It covers all the generic advice I've read in a dozen other contexts: e.g., Google 20% time, treating willpower as a finite resource, following the lean methodology to create MVPs, following mindfulness and meditation practices, and so on.

I take copious notes when reading, but the only new insights I got while reading this book were:

1. Establishing and following a routine throughout most aspects of your life—e.g., when you wake up, when you exercise, when you take time off, when you go to bed, etc—makes it easier to take risks and do crazy stuff in the few uncertain parts of your life (e.g., a job). It's much easier to take excursions into unknown and uncharted parts of the world as long as you know you always have rituals and "certainty anchors" that you can return to.

2. Life has no neutral. There is only "up" or "down." That is, things either get better or worse; they rarely stay the same. For example, if your current job isn't making you happy happy, if you take no action, 5 years from now, you won't be in the same spot. Instead, you'll likely be even more miserable than before. So when choosing between a risky/uncertain path (e.g., leave your cushy but unhappy job to start a company) and changing nothing (e.g., staying at your crappy job), realize that "changing nothing" isn't a real choice. Instead, the real choice is to do the risky/uncertain thing or become steadily more and more miserable with status quo.

That's... about it. I think every other thing in the entire book I had already learned before.

It's not that this is a bad book, but if you're an active reader of business books, there isn't much new here. If you're just starting your career, or considering a major change, and have read relatively little i this genre before, this is not a bad start. Just be aware that it's a lot of generic advice that's useful across a wide variety of business contexts, with relatively little that is uniquely helpful when dealing with uncertainty.

[Ken Montville · Rating 3 out of 5]

(note: I was sent a copy of this book, signed by the author - thanks, Jonathan! - in exchange for an honest review. It was also the January selection for 12 Books - a reading group here on Goodreads)

I first ran across Jonathan Fields on his blog and was impressed by his giving heart and generous spirit. So I was interested to read his take on overcoming the fear we all have when beginning something new.

To his credit, the book is not just a collection of blog posts cobbled together to make a few bucks. Yet, after the Introduction and first few chapters my mind began to wander.

It seems Fields is writing to an audience that wouldn't normally pick up a personal development/self-help type book. The title itself is a bit hyperbolic. Surely, most people would be happy with outcomes less than "brilliant". This continues into the body of the book where he writes about "creators" and their "creations" in the same way most people might think of producers and products. After all, since marketability is a goal isn't most of what we "create" really a product. Surely, even a product of our imagination doesn't have to be couched in such lofty terms.

Jonathan is a good writer but the language makes the book a little inaccessible, at least to me.

His case studies also seemed a little inaccessible. Most of them are what some people refer to as Renaissance Men (or Women). It's not enough that they are clearly successful in one field, they also seem to excel in several others and, of course, they all have the epiphany that there must be something more. They feel unchallenged, unfulfilled. So they go out and start (create) something new. It helps that the success they've enjoyed before starting over has probable given them plenty of money to take chances without worrying too much about paying the bills.

Finally, some of the advice in this book is eons old wrapped in the language of the Web 2.0 twenty or 30 something trying to find themselves. Routine and ritual become certainty anchors, surrounding yourself with positive, like minded people becomes finding mentors, heroes and champions. Even Jonathan's interesting visions of co-creation through feedback loops or co-working environments might be considered as developing a mastermind group. Oh, and focus? You get that through Attention Training (AT) aka meditation.

As I progressed through the book, I began to like it more and more. It does have some interesting ideas and the author has obviously done his research. So if you'd like a book that provides a path on your journey to bringing your creation to market, this is a good place to start.

[Lori Tatar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Uncertainty" is a great companion to help one find a little bit of reassurance when making decisions that may lead to uncertain places. It seems only appropriate at this time to mention Steve Jobs and to ask, where would we be if he had always taken the sure route to where he was going? He revolutionized how we communicate, how we make and watch movies, how we listen to music, just to name a few marks he made on the world. If he had always placed one foot then the other in someone else's footprints, we would be exactly where we were in the 1990s. For anyone who is brave enough to not just think outside the box, but to act outside the box, this book may be just the shoulder squeeze you need. Jonathan Fields has applied his experiences and expertise to writing another winning book whose basic philosophies can be applied by both entrepreneurs and business leaders alike.

[Debra Eve · Rating 4 out of 5]

If we dare to create, fear and uncertainty become bedfellows. So how can we work through those emotions and thrive? Jonathan Fields' uses stories and research to chart an answer. His suggestions don't break new ground, but he assembles them in a useful and inspiring format. He stresses the use of ritual, finding a "hive" (a benevolent feedback network), and training your mind through exercise, meditation and visualization (not "The Secret" gimme riches kind, but the kind where you pre-process your goal).

It's not new information. But Fields connects the dots with individual stories, helps analyze what's holding you back, and inspires you to do something about it. His portrait of "What if I do nothing?" is chilling. He includes chapter summaries, something I wish all nonfiction books would do. All and all, a good read.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a unique topic. I've never read anything else about this topic. I've never thought of myself as a person who is slowed or debilitated by fear or uncertainty. This reading helped me better identify the parts of my creation process that slow me down and gave me clear steps to take to remove those barriers. We are all creators in one sense or another.

Security in life is one of the great myths that we are wired to believe in. True security can never be achieved and thus we must find a way to embrace uncertainty since it will never fully go away. Embracing that uncertainty must be a dynamic process of overcoming the negative effects that it has on us. This book is a practical guide to taking those steps. The author takes something that at first seems quite intangible and adds a practical approach to breaking it down and understanding it.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful book on the topic 'uncertainty'

(1) a very structured, systematic book on the topic
(2) it began by comparing uncertainty to rock climbing where we need to make certain 'crux moves' that will determine the entire route.
(3) uncertainty is unavoidable in all instances but we can learn from Ellsberg paradox/ social judgement, certainty anchor, rituals and routines, environment (hives) and access to certain individuals to make the experience less suffering. we can also train our brain through process simulation, growth mindset and exercise.
(4) the question 'you cannot not do' will serve as an acid test although if taken to the extreme, we may need circuit breaker to pull us back.
(5) lastly how do we reframe our mind to live with uncertainty

Good book for anyone who wants to understand better the uncertainty/ analysis paralysis that lingers within us .

[Kelly Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book to anyone I meet who wants something better in their life. Every one of them who followed through and read it thanked me for the recommendation before they were even halfway through the book. If you are someone who has "potential" but has never quite been able to make a go of it, READ THIS BOOK. Jonathan Field explains that those people we admire who take the big risks and go it on their own, in art, business, music, whatever - they are just as afraid of failing as you and I. But they experience it differently. He goes on to explain actions we can each take to help us change our fear and doubt and uncertainty into the catalyst to realize that potential. I'm not going to recap it here. You need to read the book. Trust me.

[Lloyd Downey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is based on a Blinkist summary of the book. So it needs to be interpreted in that light. Presumable they full book has more detail; more carefully argued sequences etc. But I’ve found the Blinkist summaries to be very good where I’ve had the chance of comparing with the original book. The following includes some snippets from the summary, that I found useful in understanding the gist of the book:

Risk is always associated with the possibility of loss, which is what makes us so scared. When we create something, we need to give it some kind of input, such as effort or money. But if we fail, we run the risk of losing some or even all of this input.
Those of us who have the most to lose, maybe because we have a mortgage to pay or a family to look after, are often the ones who are most wary of taking risks. Others believe that following an unknown path with an unknown consequence could leave us unnecessarily exposed. This judgment may come from the people who support us, our investors or even from ourselves.
But judgment and fear of criticism can be toxic to our confidence and inhibit our creativity.
playing it safe can’t offer you the same advantages that taking a gamble does!
Innovation is found through uncertainty......In one study, psychologist Franck Zenasni discovered that people who were willing to accept uncertainty were significantly and positively more creative.....They were more likely to work well on complex problems, were open to more stimuli and were unsatisfied with anything other than the best possible solution.
Uncertainty leads to novelty and innovation.......If others can observe your commitment and see the possibility of reward, you are more likely to persuade them to support you and your project.
The trick is to come face-to-face with our fears......Rituals and routines build consistency and act as certainty anchors. A certainty anchor, such as going to the gym or having coffee with friends, is a stable part of your life which gives you something to rely on. These routines calm us and release us from unimportant decisions, allowing us to focus on our main task.
But what if you’re a solo entrepreneur, like a writer? Then you have to wear both hats; you’re the idea person and the process person.
The judgment we receive from others is a form of feedback, and this is essential to the creative process, as it teaches us how we can improve ourselves or our product.....There are two useful ways we can get this feedback.
1. The first is by utilizing a creative hive–a community of like-minded professionals who provide criticism and support while presenting their work to one another at regular intervals.
2. The second way to obtain feedback is through a relationship. Regular and consistent feedback from potential customers during the development process will enable better results and diminish risk. Even if feedback means admitting failure, it’s better to recognize this at the beginning of product development rather than at the end!
How can we shape our thoughts in order to enhance our focus and creativity? One technique you can use is Attentional Training (AT), which builds creativity and psychological power....AT can entail physical exercise like running or biking, or mental exercises such as Zen meditation, hypnosis or visualizing your working process......For example, students who picture themselves studying in the library will begin working earlier than students who don’t.
Of course, it’s not just mental techniques that can help our brains. The benefits of physical exercise extend beyond the body, as it also improves our mood, our ability to think and solve problems, and helps us become more comfortable with uncertainty.
Ask yourself if you’re working productively and how your motivation is affecting your work.
You can do this by zooming out, which means looking at your circumstances objectively to help you determine if it’s worth continuing your work.
If you find that you’re chronically unhappy with your life, reframe your situation. This means looking at the facts and changing the story you tell yourself about your fear. This is known as cognitive reappraisal,
For example, creative hives [groups of people thinking creatively], can reframe participants’ uncertainty by stating something like, “We’re in this together and can help one another.”
To break down our uncertainties, we have to develop a growth mind-set......A growth mind-set helps us cope with uncertainties. But what about the fear of failure? Well, this can be managed with a simple exercise.
The three following questions can help you banish your fear: What if I fail, then recover? Sure, failing is painful, but concentrate on how you would recover if you did fail. What if I do nothing? If you’re unhappy now, you will stay that way and also run the risk of losing your last bit of fire, or even becoming depressed. What if I succeed? Think of your ideal outcome and imagine how it will feel. Dwell on it, add details and come up with action steps you can take toward achieving it.
The key message in this book: Uncertainty is something that we all fear, and it’s especially important for creatives and professionals to learn how to deal with it. By practising some specific techniques and receiving regular feedback, we can learn how to face our anxieties and cope with uncertainty.
Actionable advice: When you have a deadline in sight, stick to your routines.
My overall take on the book? Interesting but not really great. Yes, to achieve great creative works one clearly needs to step out of the comfort zone and take a gamble. I guess that’s the underlying thrust of the book. And I have no great argument with that thesis. Is it worth a whole book? I’m not sure. Three stars from me.

[Jennifer Willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had been recommended highly on the UPOD (Under Promise, Over Deliver) freelance group, and I finally got around to reading it myself. I was pleasantly surprised by this book's encouraging take on smart approaches to "living in the question." I especially appreciated the "summation of chapters" at the end of the book to reinforce the important points made along the way.

I'm not an entrepreneur (in the traditional sense), but I am a freelance journalist and indie author, and this book has given me a lot to work with and think about. At the very least, it's gotten me back into my meditation practice.

[Sher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up the audio version of this book from my local library because the title and tag line seemed to speak directly to me... just to discover it was the same book I’d checked out a while back and couldn’t get through then either >.< I hate that I can’t write a review without applying a star rating, because really this is about the audio version’s narrator - his cadence/intonation is incredibly distracting, and dare I say, irritating, to me. I can’t track with the book because I’m too focused on how he ends every sentence. Guess I’m going to have to be intentional about getting a paperback copy to read directly. :-/

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a HUGE fan of this book. I read it shortly after quitting my job and taking off on an adventure to South America and it really helped to fuel my confidence (and re-assure me when I started to think I might be crazy). I'd highly recommend giving this one a read - Jonathan has such a positive way at looking at situations that others might shy away from. He gives some great suggestions for getting more comfortable with uncertainty, and points out how important they are for all of us throughout life as an individual or as a business. Read it, really - do it now!

[Lisa Kavanaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I'd written this book! It brought together so many lessons/tools I've learned the hard way dealing with the discomfort of uncertainty and introduced me to some new techniques I am eager to try. If you're an entrepreneur, artist or someone constantly finding themselves in the deep end of the pool without a floaty- read this book. Not only does it give you tools for helping your body and mind deal with the unknown but it makes you see the struggle in a whole new, inspiring, motivating frame of mind. Definitely going on my "read once a year" shelf.

[Cassandra]

Read the Blinkist summary.

Being comfortable with uncertainty makes one more able to tackle unstructured problems.

Routines give you energy and "uncertainty anchors" to help deal with uncertain (anxious) tasks.

The tasks that you find most difficult to sit down and concentrate on should be scheduled.

Attentional training.

Cognitive reframing.

Exercise and meditation.

Get feedback. Use a support network.

That's all I remember. I had heard some studies before and they may not have been interpreted closely to the data.

[Evan Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. Highly recommended to artists and business people everywhere.

[Jennifer Rumack · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I really enjoy and appreciate all of Jonathan Field's work. His writings and his podcast are thought provoking, well researched and applicable in my own life.

I picked this book up thinking it would give me some directional insights to illuminate my path in this uncertain covid-19 world. It did do that to some extent. But, I also got learn about the creative process and the uncertainty that entrepreneurs and creatives face when embarking on a project. Although I do not identify with this group (yet), I was impressed with the applicability of the tips for my own life.

It ended up being something different than I expected but still in the vein of all the reasons I appreciate the work of Jonathan Fields.

[Mela Lozano · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a perfect business and life 101 guide to conquering the unknown. However, if you are looking to read a book for fun, this may not be helpful. It is a bit of a dense read, though Fields offers amazing examples, and crucial lessons that everyone should learn, I wouldn't recommend reading this book as a vacation read. More like you need a life-changing experience type of reading. I will admit, I had trouble finishing the book, and am sad to say I could not actually finish it, but I do hope to finish this book one day.

[Chad Schultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's another run of the mill self improvement/business book.

I listened to it a week or two ago. I should have reviewed it more promptly because it's hard for me to remember anything that stood out, anything that stuck with me and that I can use going forward...

I think there was something in there about encouraging meditation. And perhaps some general encouragement to take risks and live your dreams.

It certainly wasn't bad. Add it to your queue for a little dash of inspiration to fuel your fire as you work on your passion. But it's certainly not life changing.

[Zuri Hann · Rating 2 out of 5]

The main idea of this book is to embrace uncertainty and initiate something that you have desired for a long time. Some ways to minimize the uncertainty that was introduced in this book were 1) co-creation with customers from feedback 2) set up daily routines so that you don't have to think about what you should do every time. This book is a merge of different case studies and academic research that showed proof of taking action regardless of uncertainty they had in the beginning but was successful at the end.

[Carol Milters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, inspiring and useful content for who is pursuing a creative path and has to face the anxieties from the natural uncertainty of their work. Jonathan shows that our response to the unevitable uncertainty is what differentiates an idea that never becomes action or a success that gets you stuck in fear and shares some useful tools to tame it.

Quick read and good reference, you can find some inspiring things and get good insights with this book.

[Jerry Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

2ish
I almost quit the book but it was so easy and fast to read, I stuck it out.
((With some skimming involved..))

The first 100 pages were garbage, just random anecdotes that were probably blog posts or tweets he found somewhere.

The final 125 or so redeemed themselves a bit to just *bad*

I can't remember how I came to this book, I just know I bought on Amazon so likely a podcast or a blog. Whoever it is owes me $12.