Part of Kathy Caprino’s series ‘Building a Better, Happier Career and Future’
When external forces—political shifts, economic downturns, industry disruptions, etc. — shake the foundation of your career and your life, it’s easy to feel powerless. These moments can leave us questioning our path, value, and our futures. I’ve experienced this many times myself – in my corporate career and in my coaching business, as have hundreds of my clients and course members.
These times we’re in today are not easy, for sure. That said, there’s a vitally important principle I’ve found to be helpful during these uncertain times:
While we can’t control these external changes, we can shape and control how we perceive and respond to them, including our mindset, focused action steps, communication, and our self-talk.
Working as I often do throughout the long arch of people’s careers, I see so often that deep challenges we don’t expect can become the very catalysts that push us toward exciting new growth, reinvention, and greater alignment with who we truly are and want to be in the world. In fact, this realization has been a catalyst for me in writing both my current books – Breakdown, Breakthrough and The Most Powerful You – and my forthcoming new book as well (more to come on that!).
If you’re feeling the weight of uncertainty right now, I’d like to share 7 key strategies to help us not just survive, but thrive. These key steps are particularly beneficial in times when key ideals or beliefs we’ve held – about who we are and what we want to focus on – seem to be in question or devalued.
These steps will help you regain clarity, build resilience, and take intentional action to bring more positive energy, hope and potentially, a more fulfilling future. I’ve engaged in these practices often and they’ve been life-affirming for me personally, as well for those I work with and coach.
The 7 key steps are:
1. First, acknowledge and process your emotions
Navigating career upheaval is emotionally taxing. It’s completely normal to feel fear, frustration, and even grief when the work you’ve built your life around feels threatened. Instead of suppressing these emotions, allow yourself to fully recognize, process and move through them.
Journaling, talking with a trusted mentor, or seeking outside professional support can help you move productively and healthfully through these feelings rather than getting stuck in them. Self-compassion is key—it’s important to understand that you’re not failing because you’re struggling. In fact, dealing head on with difficult change (and feeling scared, confused and sometimes unable to cope) is a common human condition.
In my experience through years as a corporate professional, then as a therapist, and now supporting people’s career growth journeys, I’ve seen that so many professionals (including myself) who’ve faced steep challenges in productive, brave ways have come out stronger on the other side—not despite their struggles, but because of them.
2. Reframe the challenge as an opportunity
I know this can potentially sound overly optimistic to some, especially when you’re in the thick of unwanted change, but the process of “reframing” what is happening is a powerful tool to help you through it.
Simply put, the positive reframe is a way to look at the experiences and situations of your life in a realistic manner that fits the facts well, while at the same time allowing yourself to see greater possibility, positivity, hope, benefit, and expansion in what is transpiring. The reframe shifts your “frame” of reference and helps you see your current situation differently so that you can recognize—and act on—new positive opportunities and opportunities that are possible.
And it focuses on what you can personally shape, not what is outside of your sphere of influence. Instead of doubling down only on the dark and terrible about what has transpired, and what you’ve lost, the positive reframe lets you recognize—and believe in—the potential future benefits from what has happened. And it helps you focus on what you can take action on that makes you feel less powerless.
The positive reframe also helps you open the door to greater luck and serendipity to emerge in your life.
Here’s more about that from the inspiring Dr. Christian Busch in my podcast Finding Brave:
Ask yourself: What could this challenge be teaching me? What new opportunities might it be opening up?
For example, for consultants and coaches who focus on one particular area of professional or business growth and success – what new ways can you expand the application of your great talents and experience – new areas you can pivot to, to serve a different target group that needs your core talents and insights?
By focusing on what’s possible rather than what’s lost, you can start to see the situation as a stepping stone rather than a dead end.
3. Reconnect with your core values and vision
When external changes disrupt our careers and professional futures, it’s a perfect (and essential) time to pause and reflect on what truly matters to you.
Ask yourself:
- What are my core values, and how do I want them reflected in my work going forward?
- What kind of impact do I want to make in the world?
- What does success look like for me—not just professionally, but personally?
- What other ways can I apply my talents and experience that I perhaps haven’t even thought of?
- Who can help me expand my thinking about what I’m capable of?
These questions help you realign your career with your deeper purpose, ensuring that your next steps are not just reactive but intentional. (For a deeper dive into understanding fully your talents and abilities, and recognizing the most important learnings and contributions from your entire career journey, download and complete my free Career Path Self-Assessment.)
4. Expand your “inspiration network” and seek helpful new perspectives
One of the most powerful ways to navigate uncertainty is by connecting with others who inspire us. Reach out to colleagues, mentors, friends and industry leaders who can offer guidance, share insights, or simply provide a listening ear. Networking isn’t just about finding your next opportunity—it’s about building a community of support that can uplift you (and you them) for years to come.
Don’t be afraid to step outside your usual circles. Attend new events, join online forums, and connect with professionals in adjacent fields that represent an overlap with what you do. Sometimes, the best ideas and opportunities come from unexpected places.
5. Invest in your growth
When the external world feels unstable, one of the best investments you can make is in yourself. This might mean:
- Taking a course to build new skills or deepen your expertise.
- Hiring a coach or supporter to help you navigate your next steps with clarity and confidence.
- Reading books, listening to podcasts or watching videos that inspire and empower you, and offer new thoughts and ideas that excite you.
Growth doesn’t have to be monumental to be meaningful. Even small steps—such as updating your LinkedIn profile (see free training resources about LinkedIn here) or learning a new tool— can help you feel more in control and prepared for what’s next.
6. Focus on what you can control
In times of uncertainty, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s outside our control. But this only drains your energy and leaves you feeling stuck and powerless. Instead, shift your focus to what you can control, including:
- Your mindset: Practice daily gratitude, affirmations, mindfulness, meditation, or spend time in nature (and engage in other approaches that work for you) to help you stay grounded and centered.
- Your actions: Take proactive steps toward your goals, even if they’re small.
- Your environment: Surround yourself with people, resources, and habits that uplift you. Wherever you can, shift your chronic habits and behaviors that you see are clearly hurting you. (For instance, do your best to effectively manage time on your device, and be extra judicious about the news and information you consume.)
For me, it’s critical to my mental health and wellness to curtail my damaging habit of picking up my phone first thing in the morning and looking at certain apps before I’m even fully awake or up. Our cortisol levels naturally spike in the morning when we awaken, so it’s an important step for me personally to not exacerbate that stress spike by diving into scrolling through my phone. emails and the news right away.
By focusing on what’s within your power, you’ll feel more empowered to navigate the challenges ahead.
7. Embrace flexibility and stay open to new possibilities
Finally, remember that career growth (and personal growth) is rarely linear. The path you envisioned for yourself may no longer be viable, but that doesn’t mean your journey is over or all doors are closed to you. Stay open to new possibilities—even (and especially) those that don’t seem to align perfectly with your original plan.
As an example, I’ve seen professionals pivot from corporate roles to entrepreneurship, from one industry to another, or from full-time employment to consulting, teaching and coaching, etc. with great success and reward. These types of shifts often lead to greater fulfillment and purpose than ever imagined.
Moving Forward with Courage and Confidence
Navigating career challenges in uncertain times isn’t easy – it’s often scary and confusing. But it’s also not insurmountable. I know this from personal experience – having lived through huge changes from 9/11, deep financial crises, being laid off in ways I never expected, and dealing with emotionally jarring transitions that also have had a huge impact on millions of others.
By acknowledging your emotions, reframing the challenge, and taking intentional steps forward, you can turn this moment of uncertainty and fear into an opportunity for growth and reinvention, if you believe you can, and invest time and energy in cultivating a more life-affirming approach to change.
And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s through networking, getting outside support, or simply sharing your authentic story, there’s great power in connection.
Together, we can face these challenges with courage, resilience, and hope, and we can find our way.
If this resonates with you, I encourage you to share with trusted friends and colleagues who might be feeling the same way. And feel free to reach out. Let’s start a new kind of conversation about how we can not only survive difficult, rapidly-evolving times, but also thrive at a new level — no matter what external changes come our way.
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For one-on-one professional and leadership growth support today, work with Kathy in her private, 1:1 Career Breakthrough coaching program and visit Kathy’s Career Help page for resources and help.
For uplifting new training and guidance, take Kathy’s video course The Most Powerful You which helps professionals address and close their confidence and power gaps today so they can rise and thrive through change and uncertainty.
Finally, for instant, 24/7 access to personalized help and answers to your most pressing career questions, subscribe to Kathy’s powerful new digital career coaching tool, Kathy Caprino AI, and get the first month free with discount code “KCFREETRIALAI” this week.
