Here are 6 recommendations to guide you and offer perspective.

1. BALANCE your long term vision with short-term actions. Said another way, stabilize what you need to do now and work strategically towards where you want to be in the future. Set realistic expectations given the current circumstances without short-changing yourself. Maybe you want to adjust your timelines, manage your cash flow and minimize your expenses. If you were hoping for a promotion or significant salary increase this year, recognize that organizational factors may limit the growth you planned, but that doesn’t need to hold you back from your goals. Commit to your dreams and stay the course, recognizing the realities of the moment.
2. LEARN from every experience. How can you make the most of where you are now? What skills can you build to support you in the future? Don’t hold out for things to be perfect, you can still benefit from where you are and whatever you’re doing now. If you’re not working and want to be, what projects could you take on (paid, unpaid or volunteer) that can expose you to new people, areas of interest or things you care about? Consulting, freelance experiences or side projects (either at home or work), can be valuable ways to expand and grow in new areas. Where can you dip your toes into new waters? Find opportunities to get involved in things that interest you (and even those that may not, but compensate you) to uncover new possibilities.
3. YOU NEVER KNOW. Since we can’t anticipate what will happen – to our work, our health, our country – we need to live our lives fully and make the most of the present moment. Building inner resilience and adaptability can help us go with the flow. Emulate bamboo that grows tall and strong, yet flexes enough to bend with the wind. Side hustles can lead to full-time work. Coffee with a neighbor could lead to a referral or an introduction to a new job. Volunteer work can uncover hidden passions and strengths that can help you pivot. You won’t know until you explore.
4. PRIORITIZE what matters. Knowing your core needs, values and interests can help you better manage and direct your energy and resources. You likely have more control over how you spend your time than you realize. Don’t waste effort on obligations that aggravate, find more activities that align with your passions. If you need more flexibility, build buffers into your schedule with time blocking. If you care about friends and family, call them more often. Need more money, cut back on expensive splurges and cook at home more. Do YOU, boo and ignore the haters.
5. GIVE and take. Look for more reciprocity and mutuality. Find the balance, so you don’t burn out or feel you’re always extending and not receiving in return. Over giving can drain your energy, create resentment and lead to overwhelm. Start setting healthy boundaries and practice generosity of spirit. Good karma comes from recognizing our impact on others and our part of the virtuous cycle of life. Also recognize when you might need to ask for help because you can’t do everything on your own, then be grateful for the support you receive.
6. What GOES AROUND COMES AROUND. Life moves in cycles, waves and spirals. Like the Wheel of Fortune in tarot, sometimes we’re up and sometimes we’re down. Change is a constant and you will come through whatever challenge you might be experiencing now. There will be movement as things shift and evolve. Sometimes we can ride the waves, other times we may need to float or paddle a little harder to make progress

Lessons from Surfing

I’ve only surfed twice, but thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I love the water and appreciated riding the waves, which is a practice in patience, presence, balance and unpredictability. Catching your wave and gloriously riding it feels like grace and ease until you wipe out and go under. I never felt so waterlogged in my life, yet challenged to learn something completely new.

Finding a way through choppy waters is an art and a learned skill you can cultivate. Consider reflecting on how much uncertainty you’ve already navigated to get to this point in your life. Can you recall a dip that appeared to be a setback that later turned into a blessing? I know many experiences that seemed distressing at the time, but later revealed wisdom that I couldn’t appreciate until later.

I’d love to hear about your experience. How are you navigating things these days and what helps you to maintain perspective?

If you’re seeking more connected work that aligns with your values and living a life that brings you joy and purpose, let’s connect. I’d love to share some thoughtful strategies to guide you to more meaning and support you in designing life and work that can future-proof your experience.

Some more perspective

I recently had some meaningful exchanges around my book and experiences. I shared how I made the move from the corporate world to having my own business in this Milestone Moments podcast with Sheila Slick where we talked about Tower Moments and rituals for navigating change.

In this Writers@Work interview with Rochelle Melander, I discussed my experience writing the book and creating the Workbook. I also dove deep on how high-achievers can overcome mindset blocks to find soul-aligned success on the Unleashing Potentials podcast on YouTube and Spotify where I discussed the challenges that we often need to address to be our best selves.

If you’re ready for a conscious career change, check out my book, So, What Do You Do? The Authentic Alchemy Path to Find Who You Are and the companion Workbook for meaningful exercises and practices that will help you uncover more meaning.

If you’ve read the book and found value from it, I would so appreciate your positive feedback on Amazon (leave your review here – just scroll down the page to the Reviews section and look for the button that says “Write a customer review” under Review this product). I am grateful for your support!

To riding the waves of change!

Lenore