2023 is the year and the fear of uncertainty. Here's how to navigate.

The opinions expressed by entrepreneurs contributors are their own.

As we approach 2023, there is a sound of uncertainty, amplified by ominous headlines warning us of an impending recession, or, as one article describes, "a great reset ", a term used to describe a layoff in the technology sector. The latest report from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics only adds to the collective narrative that we are, well, doomed, stating that 263,000 new jobs have been added to the workforce – more than was expected – but the hiring economy remains extremely tight.

The reality is that the uncertainty hasn't really increased, it's always been there. What actually rises is our fear of uncertainty. And we, as business leaders, try to do everything in our power to mitigate it, analyze it and wish for it. But the truth is that the uncertainty will always be there. We can strengthen our supply chain, reduce inflation and vaccinate against Covid-19, but a new health alert may arise, a war may break out or a natural disaster.

As we enter 2023, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to develop a relationship with uncertainty and feel more comfortable with its existence. In fact, according to the Kauffman Foundation, 57% of Fortune 500 companies were founded during a recession, so despite fear of what's to come, there may be a path to success. Here are seven ways to tap into the unknown and find opportunity despite this uncertainty:

1. Identify what is in and out of your control

No matter how much we plan, research and analyze, there will always be forces beyond our control. Instead of obsessing over getting rid of these circumstances, we need to analyze our challenges and categorize them according to what we can and cannot control. For those we can't control, we need to be aware of them, but also not dwell on trying to predict their outcomes. No one could foresee the effect a pandemic would have on their individual business. However, we can now reflect on the lessons learned, appreciate the innovation that has occurred, and reflect on how we can operate faster in the future.

2. Reframe your uncertainty

Our tendency as entrepreneurs is to correlate uncertainty with a negative outcome. We don't know if we'll raise the amount of capital we need, we don't know if our product will be market-ready once launched, we don't know if our business will survive. The truth is, we also don't know if we'll go beyond our wildest dreams, if an out-of-reach event will open a new door for us, or if an unidentified need for our product or service will emerge. As Steve Jobs once said, "You can't connect the dots looking forward, you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to be sure that the dots will connect d 'one way or another in your future." Uncertainty can be your greatest advantage.

Related: How to Protect and Maintain Control of Your Business

3. Listen to what your feeling of uncertainty is telling you

Often, as entrepreneurs, we feel a strong sense of uncertainty or fear about areas that affect us personally, which means that we are particularly sensitive to topics that elicit a sense of prejudice based on the fear resulting from our own life experiences. If you've ever had a bad experience living in a different city, state, or country...