Book Review: Thriving Through Uncertainty by Tama Kieves

Tama Kieves left a soul-crushing law practice with a six-figure income to become a writer. Thirty years later, in her most recent book, Thriving Through Uncertainty, she undertakes the challenges of how uncertainty can make it difficult to see which path to take in the midst of change and transition. Kieves mixes warm, real, and humorous storytelling with a customized guidance style that is sure to inspire action. From the first chapter, it’s obvious this guidebook is different when her advice is to read out of order and to skip around. “Feel free to leapfrog,” she says. And leapfrog you will into a personalized approach to thrive through the trials of uncertainty.

Why are we reading this book?

We chose this title because it’s not written from a business perspective. While it addresses the impact of uncertainty in our professional lives, it also recognizes feelings of personal, psychological, emotional, and mental uncertainties. Drawing from her own life experiences, Kieves  offers a wealth of effective techniques and confidently asks the reader to “practice what she preaches” with the ultimate goal of making uncertainty “your new best friend.”

Backstory:

After leaving the cushy Manhattan law firm, Kieves admits to questioning her sanity and wondering at every turn if she was doing the right thing. She acknowledges how people generally want to “know everything up front before taking a single step.” Kieves wrote Thriving Through Uncertainty because “successful people can stand uncertainty.” Throughout the book, she empowers others to do the same.

Challenge:

The key to living an inspired life is to “do whatever it takes to discover, connect, and deepen your relationship with yourself.” That means a “willingness to get to know yourself—your hopes, dreams, fears, and who you really are beyond your conditioning or who you think you should be.” Also required is to find your way to whatever belief system expands and comforts as you reach for your true self. Otherwise, Kieves says, “Inevitably the world of limitations will insidiously have its way with you.”

Solution:

A three-part solution is Kieves’ answer to dispel fear and confusion. First, journal about anything that prevents you from moving forward and respond from the viewpoint of a loving parent or what you would say to your best friend. Next, make a daily “win list” that reminds you of what you got right. The third part is freewriting—a method to explore your beliefs, stories, imagery, and memories. “Let it flow,” she writes.

Solution Steps:

• Trust yourself and you will know what to do.
• Follow your rebel brilliance.
• You are more powerful than you know.
• You owe it to yourself to make braver choices.

Summary:

The subtitle of Thriving Through Uncertainty is, “Moving beyond fear of the unknown and making change work for you.” Kieves emboldens the reader to make change favorably work with time-tested techniques and exercises that have helped people worldwide move past fears, confront uncertainty, and successfully shift their mind-set. This could be just the book you’ve been looking for the tools to navigate today’s unusually challenging uncertainties.