There's a lot of uncertainty out there, and as the new year got off to a slow start, reality has set for many. The uncertainty led to many layoffs in 2025 and will continue into 2026. Company share prices are down, and the mood is slightly less optimistic.
You'll never be entirely ready for any unexpected curveballs, but you can start thinking, 'What would I do if it happened to me?
Imagine The Following:
Joanna thought her career was immune to the volatility of post-Covid. It wasn't. Instead, it was turned upside down when she found out one morning that her job in a prestigious New York City Law firm had been made redundant. Like countless millions worldwide, the new reality hit home in unimaginable ways. There were no guarantees, and uncertainty was the only certainty in Joanna's world.
Joanna's background hit all the right notes — great schools, excellent grades and climbing the career path set out for her in her firm. However, that didn't matter anymore because what worked yesterday for Joanna didn't serve her well in the new world of work. After a bumpy and frustrating phase, Joanna decides to make changes in her personal and professional life. However, change doesn't happen overnight. Instead, she finds that this is where the real hard work begins.
During her self-reflection and discovery, Joanna learns to take control of her decisions, change her attitude, and shift her mindset. She still doesn't know where the journey will take her, but she's more upbeat about the possibilities. (The Shift by Pervin Shaikh, Adrian Shepherd and James Wahba).
Don't Wait For the Perfect Moment. Just Do It.
So many wait and wait and wait some more to execute on goals/ideas and projects. Don't wait to finish the application form, network, research, read or write your proposal. Try to avoid leaving anything to the last minute because it's straightforward to do. So many also wait for the perfect moment. There isn't one.
Execution is the Name of the Game
You'll never get everything right at the first attempt, but that's the beauty of learning. You're growing as you learn and stretch yourself. Many lose out at the first hurdle, and then retreating into the safe zone is easy. Don't. Keep putting one foot in front of the other. If you must be stationary for a while, then so be it. So long as you don't stall for too long.
Fear Comes in Familiar Guises
You can use fear to hold you back or propel you forward. Once you know your worries, you can identify when they appear, how they impact you and what happens to you afterwards. Self-awareness becomes your secret weapon when you're trying to press ahead.
If you don't know what those fears are, they'll turn up, and you'll react to them and be in a vulnerable position if you're not careful. Try to identify those fears in as much detail as possible. Know what is behind those fears, and you're better positioned to deal with the outcomes.
Here's an exercise for you to do.
- Pick a project/ task you've been putting off or waiting for that one day.
- Commit to taking the first step, whatever it may be.
- Decide when you're going to action it.
- Slot time in your diary to action.
- Now do it — no time like now.
Three Things You Can Do Right Now
- Career Housekeeping — Resume/CV, LinkedIn, SWOT — Skills Audit
a) I don't know about you, but how often do you look at your CV/Resume? As an Executive Coach, I see them every day/week. I'm a Professional Resume/CV writer, and I love to read people's professional stories. Why? I can tell whether they've told their story well in less than 5 seconds. Yes, you read right. Five seconds. Guess what? Experienced employers do the same, too.
Therefore, it pays to do what I like to call Your Housekeeping instead of frantically panicking at the last minute and making elementary-level mistakes. These mistakes can be very costly, especially if your Resume/CV is in the rejection pile.
b) I see LinkedIn as an online shop window. You must 'put' the right' goods' in the right place to attract customers.
As an Executive Coach, I'm amazed how many talented people don't use LinkedIn to their advantage. If you think that having a profile on Linkedin is enough, it's not.
Nowadays, you have to do your bit to create opportunities and waiting around for prospects won't cut it either. You must have a complete profile AND be active to make the platform work. If you do your bit, let the platform do its bit because you never know when and where those opportunities can come.
Create Your Luck
For luck to turn up, you need exposure; to get exposure, you must put yourself out there. How? Think about your online brand, especially LinkedIn
c) Skills Audit — SWOT
Do a SWOT. What's this?
SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Strengths (SWOT).
SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats)
2. Do Your Research
Research and Explore:
- Conduct thorough research on industries, professions, and job markets that align with your skills and interests.
- Identify transferable skills and potential areas where you could apply your existing expertise.
- Look for emerging trends, growing sectors, and regions with a high demand for talent.
- Industry Trends: Investigate the latest trends in your industry or the industry you aspire to move into.
- Job Postings Analysis: Analyse 15–20 job postings in your desired field and list the skills and qualifications they seek.
- Identify Gaps: Identify the gaps and the areas where you need improvement or new learning.
- Check the market and Know your worth, especially if you've been clocking up the years
- Call a headhunter if unsure and find out what the market is doing
3. Upskill
Why Upskilling Matters
The old formula of getting excellent grades at good schools and attending a top university has been turned on. It's no wonder that many feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to navigate these uncertain times.
I see so many talented and competent people struggling to manage their careers. Why? They're feeling the heat under the collar because the only constant in today's fast-paced world of work is change and uncertainty. The fear associated with uncertainty is holding many back because they're still using the old formula to excel. It doesn't work anymore.
If work won't provide the stretch, think of a side hustle.
So, what's the solution?
Turning Your Jam Into Success
I don't mean you have to be an influencer or a celebrity; it could mean turning side hustles into viable business/career opportunities. It's also an opportunity to learn relevant skills
Many have side hustles and have done very well out of it. We've seen plenty of successful stories of people turning side projects into successful projects.
A career backup plan safeguards against potential setbacks and opens doors to new and exciting opportunities.
It encourages you to explore different fields, industries, or areas of interest they may have previously overlooked.
It allows you to pursue passion projects, entrepreneurial ventures, or even a career change. This flexibility to pursue diverse interests keeps your professional journey stimulating and engaging, increasing the chances of finding new avenues for success and personal fulfilment.
Parting Comments
Short-term Thinking is career-suicidal during uncertain times because it threatens long-term career aspirations and present and future well-being. It has a knock-on effect on broader society, too. How? It means missing out on bigger and better opportunities whilst playing it safe. Those who think safe and play safe won't be willing to solve complex problems facing humanity today.
I believe when you get better, the opportunities improve too. It's a win/win. Now is not the time to lower expectations.
Thank you for your attention.
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Pervin
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