The Upside of Uncertainty

Section Two

Prime

Priming is about getting ready for what’s next. You prime a water pump so it provides a steady flow of water, an engine so it can run, and the walls of a room so that the paint adheres. Psychology research has even demonstrated that we can be primed using tools such as power poses, breathing exercises, imagining an ideal performance, or repeating positive phrases to prepare ourselves for challenging situations, like a negotiation or a presentation.

In this section we describe tools that help you prepare for uncertainty. Whereas the Reframe tools lie along the “thinking,” or cognitive, axis of the first-aid cross for uncertainty, the Prime tools are situated on the “doing” axis, inviting you to start taking steps toward any ...