Navigating the Unexpected

How do you navigate change when the waters turn murky and the path forward shifts without warning? You’re more in control than you think.

Clients, colleagues, and friends are adjusting to unexpected changes impacting their lives in immediate and unpredictable ways. If you enjoy life long enough, this is part of the journey. I have been there many times.

I used to believe I had no control over this. Now, I know how I think about these challenges will either slow or speed the arrival of my next opportunity.

With time and intention, we add skills, resources, and different ways of thinking to our toolbox. These skills help you process situations with grace, self-love, and determination. Know that on the other side of uncertainty are opportunities and new beginnings. Keep moving forward.

As Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson says, “We learn to deal with hard better.”

When you find yourself navigating change, drop these two skills into your mental toolbox to guide you to your next opportunity:

Look through the lens of possibility. Revisit your past experiences, capture your milestone moments, and turning points. Look with an eye on the lessons and skills you extracted from both the good and the grind. Write down each skill you gained. What happened, and what skills translate to your next chapter? (Resilience, calm in crisis, project management?)

Adjust your perspective, not focused on an industry, company, or employer. Note all you gained that is useful and sets you apart - communication, problem solving, team leadership, or something else? Craft your unique founder story (Read more on this here.), meaning your foundation story, whether you’re entering a new job, career, or launching a business. Tell your story of inspiration and growth. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, overcome, and learned.

Adopt “yes, and…” thinking, create a path forward. Acknowledge that things aren’t great, recognize you’re in the midst of sadness or challenges, AND that you can take one step forward. Don’t stop at rehashing circumstances; add the “and” to finish with what’s next: And, I can call a friend for help, write the email, brainstorm ideas, or rest. It’s a subtle shift that makes a big difference. You’re not dwelling on the situation; you open a way forward. Catch yourself next time you’re tempted to stop at the crisis thinking, add the “and” to see how it pulls you forward.

This isn’t the time to shrink. Stay the course, be proactive with what’s in your sights that inspires and elevates your thinking. Learning to navigate the unexpected will lead to your next vibrant chapter.