How much uncertainty can you tolerate?

Are you the type of person who:

feels uneasy at not knowing exactly what's expected of you when starting a new job?
has to have things planned weeks in advance?
generally shirks spontaneity?
likes to eat the same foods every day?
likes doing the same things at the same time every day?
likes taking the same route to and from work every day?
generally avoids unfamiliar situations?

If this sounds like you, you have a high level of uncertainty intolerance (also called ambiguity intolerance). If, however, you prefer to live a bit more on the edge and can't help but change things up every so often -- whether it's your wardrobe, job, or partner, you likely have a low level of uncertainty intolerance.

Those who avoid ambiguity generally prefer a structured, cut-and-dried lifestyle, while people who embrace it tend to like taking risks and thrive in fluid situations.

I think most of us find ourselves somewhere in the middle, though there's always someone at either extreme.

Personally, I like a lot of structure at work. I need to feel that I am in control of my schedule, or else I begin to feel overwhelmed. Throw too many projects and meetings at me when least expected and I'll burn out rather quickly.

I've also noticed I get into the habit of eating the same foods and taking the same driving routes. Then again, I'm always open to trying to new things every once in a while.

At the end of the day, I think most of us relish some degree of consistency in our lives, especially as we grow older.

I tend to liken people with a low level of uncertainty intolerance to those who get bored easily. My best friend tends to be this way. No sooner does he get a job than he is already thinking where he'll hop to next.

Neither is necessarily better than the other. As with everything else, it's probably best not to always be at either extreme. Being in the middle gives you a little of both -- routine with a dash of the unexpected.

Do you have a high or low level of uncertainty intolerance? Do you know anyone who's at either end of the spectrum?

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