Increase creativity by learning to dwell in ambiguity longer

Dwelling in ambiguity and uncertainty is uncomfortable. It’s tempting to rush to any answer just to escape the unknown.

But seeking premature certainty kills great ideas. The longer you sit with it, the more space you give for better solutions to emerge.

From an evolutionary perspective, our fear of not knowing makes sense. In the past, uncertainty often meant danger.

Quick decisions when feeling exposed could mean survival. That instinct still lingers today— being stuck on a problem can feel like we're falling behind, making us anxious and fearful of the future.

But here’s the truth: we are safer with ambiguity than ever before. And those who learn to embrace it gain an edge when solving complex problems.

The trick? Create momentum, even in uncertainty. Challenge assumptions. Question everything. Even small steps of progress keeps fear from taking over.

Three ways to build tolerance for ambiguity:

🎯 Get curious instead of anxious. Ask, “What else could be true?”

🎯 Flip the perspective. Ask, “How could the opposite be useful?”

🎯 Use constraints to explore. Ask, "If this isn’t the answer, what else might work?"

Most people treat ambiguity and uncertainty like a burning building. The best problem solvers? They treat it like an adventure.