October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Everyone’s experience with cancer is unique and that is why Buzzy Rocket co-founder, Victoria, decided to share her journey in a four part series.

It is incredible. This time last week I started my article talking about the destruction that Hurricane Helene brought to FL and NC. Today my community is in the process of recovering from the impact of a second hurricane. Shoutout to everyone cleaning up and navigating the uncertainty that these storms brought into their lives.

When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, my life shifted in to a constant state of uncertainty. Uncertainty is scary. As a very pragmatic person, I operate best with data and information. When definitive data isn’t always available, it’s easy to spiral into a hopeless, lonely place where you mind can be determined to explore all the (negative) outcomes.

While navigating this uncertainty was new in terms of dealing with a deadly disease, it wasn’t my first time living in this state. When I co-founded Gravy Analytics in 2011, uncertainty was the daily special. Would the technology work? Would we get funded? Would anybody want to buy our products? Were we building something of value or just wasting time and energy?  Everyone’s journey is different, but here are a few of my tips for navigating uncertainty:

1. Leverage Experts – Experts possess specialized knowledge, and they can guide you to make informed decisions, eliminating or reducing some of the scariness and loneliness of going it alone.
2. Surround Yourself with a Trusted Community – This community doesn’t have to have experienced what you are going through but they do need to be people you trust. They can help you stay balanced, as there will be other things in your life that will need your attention while on your journey.
3. Put One Foot in Front of the Other – You must keep going. Be productive. Develop a routine. Celebrate small victories. Try to move and get some fresh air. Embrace the present – the good, bad and unplanned. 

There is no magic solution to make it easy to navigate uncertainty. But I can tell you that you are stronger than you know. I learned that firsthand throughout both my entrepreneur and breast cancer journeys. Believe in yourself. You’ve got this!