There’s no question we’re living in times of uncertainty. From our country’s current state of political discourse to the economy to the job market and beyond – certainty is starting to seem like a thing of the past.

 

According to a recent CNBC article (referencing the Economic Policy Uncertainty Index — devised by economists from Stanford, the University of Chicago, and Northwestern), the 2016 presidential election stands as the third-biggest source of uncertainty in the index’s 30-plus-year history.

 

For many, this uncertainty is starting to permeate our own personal and professional lives. I know I’ve had several sleepless nights and anxious moments in the last 6-8 months, and I would be willing to bet a few of you have, too.

 

So, what do we do in the face of such uncertainty?

Do we hunker down in a state of inaction, refusing to move forward for fear of the unknown?

 

This certainly seems to be the choice some professionals are making. Just from the trends in my own business over the past few months, I can see there are fewer people out there taking risks right now. Many people are taking a wait-and-see approach.

 

For some, that might be a good plan. If your personal situation demands a certain financial stability in order to stay afloat (i.e. if you have small children, a large amount of debt, etc.), then it may be best to stay put during times of uncertainty.

 

For many others, however, that stagnation will only serve to delay us and/or prevent us from achieving our ultimate life/career goals.

 

How do we stay motivated to push ahead and take risks, even when we’re so unsure of what the future holds?

 

Business coach and author Greg Faxon says in order to stay motivated and move forward in the face of uncertainty, we need to remain curious. At least then, he says, the uncertainty becomes a part of the fun.

 

Here’s Faxon’s take on certainty (emphasis mine):

 

“Certainty is an illusion. Even if you decide not to change, there will be things that happen unexpectedly. So you can pour your heart into something that might not work, or you can hold back and wonder what might have been, while still being out of control.

 

It’s your choice: risk failure or risk regret.”

 

There’s a certain freedom that comes when you realize that uncertainty is a fact of life, no matter what you do. You can make decisions based on what you really want – not just what’s safe or expected of you.

 

 

Former U.S. Navy Seal Jocko Willink says it’s not motivation we need – it’s discipline. Motivation, he says, is a fickle, fleeting emotion that can’t be relied upon. Discipline, however, is the ability to do what you know needs to be done, even when you’re not motivated to do it.

 

Of course, discipline isn’t developed over night – you have to work at it. But we can get the ball rolling by shifting our focus away from motivation, and being self-aware enough to realize when we’re standing in the way of our own success.

 

The Takeaway

Only you can know the requirements of your situation and what the best decision is for you and your career. But if uncertainty is bothering you in your career, no matter what your situation, there are a few things you can do to take back control and regain your confidence.

 

1. Research Your Industry and/or Company

Find out as much as you can about economic and market trends as they relate to what you do. This will allow you to keep your finger on that pulse of what’s happening around you, and better understand the status of your situation.

 

2. Research Growing/Hiring Industries

Even in uncertain economic times, there are almost always industries which survive and thrive. It’s important to follow these trends and develop a plan for where you may be able to successfully transition, should you ever need to.

 

3. Actively Network

It sounds cliché, and you’ve probably heard it a lot, but networking (the right way!) can open so many doors for your career.

1. LinkedIn – get involved in groups that are relevant to your industry, and ask to “Connect” with other people in those groups.
   1. When you do ask to connect, don’t just use the default LinkedIn form – a personalized note is so much more effective!
2. Company “talent pools” on social media. This is a whole new type of recruiting that companies are getting into, and they’re finding it pretty effective. Staying engaged with the companies you’re interested in (even when you’re not actively looking for a job) is a great way to get your foot in the door.
3. Be sincere and authentic, and always seek to give as much as you get from any networking relationship. Don’t just reach out to people when you want something. Try to really develop relationships with your network, and think about ways you can share information or otherwise collaborate to help them as much as they help you.

 

4. Update Your Resume

And I’m not just saying that because I’m a resume writer. When things are uncertain in your career, one of the first (and smartest) things you should do is update your resume. You never know when the perfect opportunity may arise!

1. If you are considering a career transition, you may benefit from having 2 different resumes, so you can more closely target each of your intended fields.
2. Don’t discount the value of a thoughtful, well-written cover letter. While it’s true that sometimes your cover letter won’t be read, it’s also true that other times it will, and sometimes it can make all the difference!
3. If you’re out there networking on LinkedIn, make sure your profile is up to date, well-organized, and takes advantage of LinkedIn’s search algorithm.

 

5. Remember: Life Goes On

When a big change happens that is out of our control, we often let it grow and consume us until it feels like this uncertainty is a permanent part of our lives. But we have to remind ourselves that it is only temporary. We can’t freeze in place from fear of the unknown. We have to continue putting one foot in front of the other and making the best possible choices for ourselves.