Managing Uncertainty While Under Pressure
How to Stay Calm and Productive
If there were a crystal ball that reveals what the future holds, we’d probably feel a lot less stressed about all the things outside of our control, don’t you think?
Maybe we’d stop worrying because we’d know nothing bad was going to happen. Or we’d stop procrastinating and finally get started, because we’d be certain our efforts would lead to something meaningful.
Since we don’t have that crystal ball, we often default to what we do have—assumptions.
Assumptions help us try to make sense of uncertainty by predicting outcomes based on what we’ve seen or experienced before. They’re not always accurate, but they can help us feel in control—even when we’re not.
A Story About Uncertainty (And a Junction)
When I was learning to drive, there was one particular junction I dreaded. The visibility was terrible. I’d often joke to myself:
“Just go. There wasn’t any car coming at this time yesterday.”
Of course, I didn’t “just go.” I knew better than that. What I did instead was inch forward slowly, watching and listening carefully until I could actually see that the road was clear. Over time, I stopped fearing that junction. Why? Because I’d learned how to approach it. The uncertainty hadn’t gone away, but I’d gained the confidence and process to deal with it.
That approach—check your assumptions, take small steps, and adjust as needed—can be applied to pretty much anything that feels overwhelming or unclear.
But Do We Just Start? Not Quite.
Moving forward blindly isn’t the answer either. Before stepping into uncertainty, it’s worth taking a moment to reflect—especially on the assumptions you’re making and the outcomes you’re aiming for.
That’s why I created the KUBA Pilot Strategy—a personal framework to help navigate uncertainty and pressure with clarity and intention.
✈️ The KUBA Pilot Strategy (my original framework)
KUBA stands for:
Know yourself – What do you already know? What are your skills, fears, habits, or tendencies in this type of situation?
Understand others – Who else is involved or affected? What perspectives, experiences, or expertise do they bring?
Build connections – How do all the pieces (your insights, theirs, and the situation itself) connect? What patterns or possibilities are emerging?
Align decisions – What step makes sense not just for right now, but in light of your bigger goals or long-term direction?
This process isn’t about removing uncertainty altogether—that’s not realistic.
It’s about making thoughtful, informed decisions in the middle of uncertainty.
Putting the KUBA Pilot Strategy Into Practice
Back to that junction.
Let’s say my assumption was:
A car is coming… or it isn’t.
Not exactly helpful when it’s 50/50 and you can’t see.
Instead, a practical next step might be:
Turn around and find a different route, or
Edge forward slowly until you have a better view.
Both are valid options—but they have different knock-on effects. Turning around might mean being late. Edging forward requires more care, but helps you grow as a driver.
Using the KUBA Pilot Strategy in that moment (even before I had a name for it), this is what it looked like:
Know yourself – I was inexperienced and nervous, but learning.
Understand others – I knew some drivers sped around that corner without much caution.
Build connections – I asked more experienced drivers how they handled it. I watched them. I paid attention.
Align decisions – I wanted to be a more confident, capable driver. Edging forward carefully aligned with that long-term goal.
Final Thoughts
Uncertainty is always going to be part of the equation. But when we know ourselves, understand others, build connections between what we know, and align our decisions with our bigger picture—we give ourselves a much better shot at staying calm, staying grounded, and taking action that actually moves us forward.
So next time you feel stuck or overwhelmed, try this:
Then edge forward—carefully, thoughtfully—and with purpose.
Pause.
Check your assumptions.
Apply the KUBA Pilot Strategy
If you’d like to discuss this further or explore how the KUBA Pilot Strategy can work for you, don't hesitate to get in touch! Your journey through uncertainty is important, and I’m here to help.