Finding Your Anchor in a Sea of Uncertainty
You see another headline about AI threatening your job, or maybe you're dealing with a difficult teammate. Whatever the source, the result is often a familiar knot of anxiety. When faced with such uncertainty, our minds spiral into an endless loop of "what-ifs." We get stuck trying to manage situations that are fundamentally outside of our control. This process is exhausting and drains the very energy we need to move forward effectively.
In this blog, I would like to propose a way to find calm and clarity, even when the storm is raging around you.
The Shift: From "What If?" to "What Is?"
In my coaching practice, I often see clients trapped in this state. My role isn't to predict the future for them, but to help them find their own anchor in the present moment. This is where a Co-Active technique called "Process" coaching becomes invaluable.
Instead of getting caught up in the story ("I might get replaced, and then what?"), we shift the focus to the client's immediate, internal experience. We gently move from the head to the heart and body.
The questions change from:
"What's your plan if you get replaced?"
"Have you heard any new information?"
To questions like:
"As you talk about this, what are you feeling right now, in this moment?"
"Where do you notice that anxiety in your body?"
"If that feeling had a color or a texture, what would it be?"
Why This Works
This might seem counterintuitive. Why focus on a bad feeling? Because by turning toward the feeling—the knot in the stomach, the tightness in the chest—and simply observing it without judgment, we rob it of its power to control us.
When a client fully experiences and acknowledges their fear, the panic subsides, and the mental chatter quiets down. By grounding themselves in their present-moment experience, they detach from the overwhelming anxiety of the future.
From this centered place, we can begin to ask more resourceful questions:
"Given this situation, what is actually within your control?"
"What small step can you take today to feel more prepared?"
"What’s most important to you right now, regardless of the outcome?"
The goal isn't to ignore the reality of the situation, but to change your relationship with it. It's about finding the calm eye of the storm within yourself, so you can navigate the waves with intention and resilience rather than being tossed about by them.
Moving Forward: Find Your Anchor
If you feel like you're being tossed in a sea of career anxiety, take a moment. Pause, take a deep breath, and ask yourself: "What am I experiencing right now?" Don't judge it, don't fix it, just notice it. That simple act of awareness is your first step toward finding your anchor.
Feeling overwhelmed and need help navigating the uncertainty? Let's connect. A 45-minute chat can help you shift your focus, find your footing, and chart a course forward with confidence.
