Luis Gutiérrez Rojas is a psychiatrist and doctor who graduated with extraordinary honors from the University of Granada. He is also a clinical professor at the Faculty of Medicine. Drawing from his extensive experience, he offers a new perspective on the challenge of “How to Face Uncertainty” in a presentation given at the II Meeting of the Responsible Education Centers Network.

1. Emotional Control and Professional Distance

First, Dr. Gutiérrez Rojas proposes a degree of emotional control. While it is important to listen to one’s heart, we must not allow our emotions to dominate us; we must remain in the driver’s seat. Today, we know that cognition and feelings are intertwined—our thoughts are deeply connected to how we feel.

While denying reality is futile, we can maintain emotional control to navigate difficult situations. For educators, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining a certain emotional distance to effectively support students. He suggests practicing active listening rather than talking, ensuring that the professional remains in control of the situation.

2. Awareness of Thoughts and Cognitive Distortions

Secondly, we must become aware of our thoughts and potential cognitive distortions. Dr. Gutiérrez Rojas suggests filtering out distressing thoughts and replacing them with helpful ones.

The key to this shift is thinking of others. Those who focus on the needs of others often stop obsessing over their own problems. He highlights several vital strategies:

• Filter External Inputs: Information that triggers negative emotions leads to negative thoughts and cognitive distortions, turning us into “prophets of doom.”

• Predict the Good: We must change our internal dynamic to forecast positive outcomes.

• Focus on the Positive: What we carry inside is what we transmit. If we constantly consume anxiety-inducing content, finding peace is impossible.

• The Power of Now: Emotionally balanced people focus on the here and now. Since predicting the future is impossible, the ideal approach is to build a creative present centered on helping others.

3. Willpower and Self-Care

Finally, Gutiérrez Rojas offers insights on willpower and the necessity of self-care as a prerequisite for caring for others.

Self-care is crucial during times of stress or anguish. He recommends:

• Structured Schedules: Including time for work, rest, leisure, and exercise to prevent “mental looping” and help the brain disconnect.

• Healthy Boundaries: Distancing oneself from work and not bringing professional problems home to ensure proper rest.

• Finding the Silver Lining: While a situation may be difficult, we should look for the good—improving relationships, spending quality time with family, or rediscovering the joy of play.

“If one is constantly consuming things that cause distress, it is impossible to have peace.”

By guarding our thoughts, regulating our emotions, and focusing on loving and caring for those around us, we can turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth.