In today's world, where answers are expected, embracing the unknown could be the most essential financial skill you develop.

We are experiencing a period of significant financial instability. Weekly tariff changes, persistent inflation above Fed expectations, rapid AI advancements, and mortgage rates projected to stay above 5.8% until 2030 contribute to this climate. The Economic Policy Uncertainty Index reveals that the last five years have recorded the highest uncertainty spikes since data collection began in the 1980s.

Thus, it may seem counterintuitive to advise comfort with uncertainty. However, this is precisely the perspective Simone Stolzoff promotes in his latest book, Finding Meaning in Uncertainty. During a discussion with Jean Chatzky, Stolzoff highlighted how our frantic pursuit of certainty often leads to poorer investment choices, increased anxiety, and ineffective decision-making.

Here’s what we discovered.

Inaction Can Be Risky

Jean Chatzky emphasized a critical point that Stolzoff reiterated: not taking action in investing is its own risk. Failing to invest your money exposes you to inflation risks, time loss, and missed compounding opportunities.

Stolzoff identified two common behaviors among individuals intolerant of uncertainty: excessive information-seeking and hasty decision-making. Both can hinder your progress. He suggests finding a balance: gather enough information without letting it immobilize you.

He recommends making decisions when you feel about 75% ready; waiting until you’re 100% prepared often means it’s too late.

“When I’m consulting everyone from my Uber driver to my yoga instructor about whether to accept job A or job B, if I notice I’m no longer acquiring new insights and just seeking validation for my existing beliefs, I’ve likely gone too far,” Stolzoff explains.

Have Faith in Your Future Self

A key takeaway from the book—especially relevant for retirement planning—is the importance of trusting your future self to tackle upcoming challenges.

Stolzoff shared a poignant story about his friend Emily, whose mother was diagnosed with a terminal illness. An oncologist family friend reassured her: “The version of you who will cope with that tragedy will be born when it happens, equipped with more context and information than you have now. Trust your future self to manage future issues,” Stolzoff advises.

This perspective is crucial for those anxious about whether they’ve saved sufficiently or if their retirement plan is viable. Reflecting on past challenges successfully navigated can provide reassurance. Stolzoff concurs, stating, “Building faith involves creating a narrative that supports your continued progress.”

Three Strategies to Embrace Uncertainty

Stolzoff concluded with actionable steps to enhance your comfort with financial uncertainty.

Establish Your Anchors. “When you feel certain about certain areas of your life, it becomes easier to manage uncertainty in others,” Stolzoff notes. Regular savings, an adequate emergency fund, and automated contributions to an investment account provide a stable foundation.

Opt for Curiosity Instead of Fear. We often fall into the trap of imagining worst-case scenarios. Stolzoff encourages asking: what if everything turns out well?

Believe in Your Future Self. In a fast-evolving economy, Stolzoff emphasizes that the key skill is “the ability to step into unfamiliar situations and trust in your future self's capacity for adaptation.”