The Most Valuable Skill to Learn in 2022

The past two years have shown us that nothing is certain. In 2022, more than ever, the most important skill for us to learn will be: how to navigate the unknown.

Why? Because that's the reality we're living in.

The thing is, it's not easy. As human beings we prefer predictability, certainty and stability. Knowing reassures our nervous system that all is well; not knowing puts us on edge and activates our survival mechanism.

The key, then, is to train our nervous system to tolerate the discomfort that comes with not knowing.

One of the most effective ways of training our nervous system is through meditation.

Meditation has been around for a very long time, though it has only gained mainstream popularity in recent years. Research into the science of meditation has revealed numerous benefits, including:

• Increasing self-awareness

• Promoting emotional self-regulation

• Supporting stress management

• Reducing blood pressure

• Enhancing sleep

In uncertain times meditation helps us to:

• Bring awareness to internal discomfort

• Calm our nervous system so that we don't default to compensatory measures such as over-working, over-thinking or trying to control the uncontrollable

• Take action in the face of uncertainty

Will the pandemic end this year? Can global economies recover? Is there another virus waiting in the wings?

Nobody knows the answers to these questions. The best thing we can do for ourselves is to learn the necessary skills to ensure that we keep moving forward.