How can you stay productive during career uncertainty?

I have studied values in a number of different organisations and courses I have studied. I now wish we could throw the word out of the dictionary as it is too vague and confusing. Instead I believe it is more effective to focus on what your hierarchy of individual life priorities (HILP) really are. You do this by investigating where you have been investing your valuable time, energy, mind and physical resources. This reveals to you a tangible way of processing what you truly desire and where you may be subordinating to external authorities. The more consciously you lead yourself, the more productive you will be in all areas of life. Self-leadership and self-governance skills are your super power!

My experience in such situations what helps is the following: 1) Self-awareness (Feelings, Thoughts, Behaviors) 2) Allowing self to feel and then understand what's causing it, what matters most! 3) Take help, safe spaces to share/vent/ask, Have open candid discussions of navigating through the period to the concern. 4) There is a realization over time, uncertainty can bring in new opportunities, to see the bigger picture of what's there to learn 5) As we grow in the ladder is about embracing change, being agile and learning to navigate through uncertainty, with ease. 6) Be positive, open to the new experience and keep up the productivity to our work commitments 7) Reflect back the previous learnings of similar situations

Everyone is different and that difference awakens inner abilities that may have been clouded or dormant for some time when you were working at a career. If you can step yourself away from the human-designed concept of a "career" and instead look at your intrinsic abilities you will soon become infatuated with developing yourself so that you can soon help others with your worth.

In my experience, you can create opportunities during times of uncertainty by being proactive in adding value to others. Boost your energy, relationship, knowledge capacities by facilitating or participating in group learning sessions, meeting people, and undertaking project activities or collaboration that will recharge your career in the process. Goals and metrics need to be clear so you won’t spread yourself too thin. This is in conjunction with self-care like health, exercise, sleep, spiritual, family time, idle time, etc.

Managing your energy is crucial during times of uncertainty. Here are tips to help you raise your energy: 1️⃣ Be Influencer-Aware: What drains or boosts your energy is unique. Identify blockers through journaling. Spiritual, mental, or environmental factors could be at play. 2️⃣ Master Your Thoughts: Your thoughts shape actions and outlook. Try the Reframe exercise - Stop, Reflect, Refine. Shift perspectives positively. 3️⃣ Chargers vs. Drainers: Pinpoint activities that energize (like training or speaking). Delegate or seek support for draining tasks. Balance your schedule for peak productivity. Remember, "You have the power to decide how you react to what life brings your way and how you show up for yourself and others."

In times of uncertainty, people can spend so much of their energy on catastrophizing that it saps their ability to do other important things. This can lead to a vicious cycle where they don't sleep enough, eat well, or exercise, which in turn increases the anxiety. One thing that my clients have found helpful is mapping out where they spend their energy and understanding what's within their circle of control. They can then develop an action plan to stop doing the things that drain their energy (like doomscrolling social media) and start doing the things that energize them (playing with their kids or pets).

Oh, it's hard, it can be very tough, no joke—career uncertainty feels like you're trying to juggle while riding a unicycle. But here's the kicker: it's also a golden opportunity to power up your productivity. First, give yourself a solid routine. It's like a cozy blanket for your work ethic, keeping you snug and on-track. Then, sharpen those skills. Dive into online courses, or even YouTube tutorials—whatever floats your learning boat. It's like leveling up for the game of careers. Connect with old colleagues, reach out to new contacts, have virtual coffees. These chats could open doors you didn't even know existed. Productivity isn't just ticking off tasks—it's staying lit up about your future, even if the path is uncertain.

Remember that engaging in mental ping-pong is a way a form of energy waster. Every time you ruminate, stress, or worry, you are spending valuable mental resources. It's therefore, crucial to catch yourself during moments like these and consciously redirect your focus to the here and now. Your only control and power exists in the now.

I love how Michelle Obama puts it: "For me, becoming isn't about arriving somewhere or achieving a certain aim. I see it instead as forward motion, a means of evolving, a way to reach continuously toward a better self. The journey doesn't end." There are parts of every day that you're certain you enjoy so take advantage of each of them as they show up. And there are parts of the next iteration of you that you know you want to leverage or improve. So put energy there. The rest will come into focus when they're suppose to.

Face your fear head on! Find a way to work through the uncertainty. If you ignore the your concerns and try to push through you will give, burn out, or ignore important pieces of data around you. If you succumb to the uncertainty, it is game over. When you process your emotions productively, you can focus on what you can control.

What else are you going to do? Ever been in a business you actually owned... I mean a physical business, not this airy-fairy consulting stuff? Have you really felt secure, even when you called the shots? Look, there's no security, no permanence, no fairness. Come to grips with it or sit home and worry. Your choice.

Cultivating mental resilience is the cornerstone that will carry you through challenging moments. While planning is helpful, it is imperative to acknowledge that, to some extent, there will always be elements beyond our control. Having a robust sense of resilience helps you to navigate such situations. So that you emerge not only intact, but wise and stronger.

Are you experiencing that “pit in your stomach” feeling when you think about your career? If so, you’re not alone. Feeling uncertainty about your career is uncomfortable because our careers provide a sense of security and stability, not only financially but also because it’s tied to our sense of worth and purpose. Take a moment to recognize that nothing in life is really set in stone. The only constant is change. You have been able to adapt to change and uncertainty many times before. How did you do that, and what might you apply to this current situation?

When anxiety and fear are heightened, one of the best things you can do is to get support. This can be in the form of emotional support or practical support like revising your resume, building your personal brand, or having informational interviews. You don’t have to sit alone with your worries. There are many resources available to help you.

Emotional support also plays a pivotal role. Our challenge often lies in maintaining positivity, clarity and objectivity. Having a reliable support system during emotionally turbulent periods replenishes our emotional reserves.

Having a community of friends/peers/neighbors you see regularly helps tremendously during times of uncertainty. It's critical to avoid feelings of isolation by staying social and connected.

Taking pause and ensuring thought clarity is essential because during career uncertainty phase when nothing is yielding good results we try to do too many things too fast and without deeper thinking and planning, which often adds to existing confusion. Another essential aspect is about keeping the mind calm, decluttering it. There are ways and means of doing it, depending upon individual needs.

Three pointers that I have seen my coaching clients have found useful ; 1. Have a Microscopic,Binocular and Telescopic time-frame in mind. Mostly career uncertainty impacts microscopic (<6 months) and Binocular (<18 month). In that period focus on skill upgradation and networking which will help you over the longterm career success (Telescopic view). 2. Any change has 3 steps - Hard, easy and messy. Mostly people are prepared for hard and easy part but it's imp to be cognizant that messy phase will come but after that things will get easy. 3. Mental Reframing can help you face the situation much better. Someone could see a situation as a career crisis and another person could see it as a wonderful opportunity to build leadership muscle.

1. While identifying core values is important, one needs to be aware of not overusing them and instead consider alternate perspectives. For instance someone may not value networking and think of it as a waste of time. However, having meaningful and diverse relationships and connections is what helps during uncertainties. So consider being open to take actions which may be uncomfortable as the opportunities may lie there. 2. Acknowledge and accept your emotions. It’s important that we don’t resist how we feel instead embrace our feelings and that helps us make peace with reality and then take logical actions. 3. Write down your plan of action with dates and specifics. This helps to move forward instead of only being In the head

1. Financial Planning: Assess and manage your finances wisely during periods of career uncertainty. Create a budget, prioritize expenses, and build an emergency fund to provide a financial buffer, reducing stress and allowing you to focus on your career transition. 2. Embrace Flexibility: Stay open to alternative career paths and opportunities. Embracing flexibility in your career expectations can lead to unexpected avenues. 3. Health and Wellness: Regular exercise, proper nutrition and mindfulness practices contribute to resilience, ensuring you are better equipped to handle the challenges of career uncertainty. 4. Continuous Market Research: Stay informed about industry trends, job market demands and emerging opportunities.