How to adapt to uncertain times to find the career you love

We can all be affected by unexpected changes in our careers and jobs. One minute, we may be going about each working day as normal, and the next, we may need to adapt quickly to circumstances we did not choose or plan for.

For some people, adapting to change may be relatively straightforward. For others, it may have a significant impact on their current role and negatively affect their thoughts and feelings about their future career. Many people can feel uncertain, worried or anxious about their career and wonder what to do next.

How do you progress with your career if you were not happy with your old working life and now find yourself facing change?

If you are wondering what you are going to do, I can reassure you that you are not alone. There are many people who feel worried and anxious about their careers, especially when life or work changes unexpectedly.

How can you adapt to uncertain times and find the career you love?

Whether you are struggling to come back from a confidence knock, facing redundancy, considering a career change, actively looking for a new job, returning to work after a break or navigating a different way of working, here is some guidance to help you find your way through the uncertainty.

Look after yourself and your well-being

First of all, be kind to yourself. Allow yourself time to absorb what is going on around you and within you. Allow yourself time to feel the impact. It is OK to feel uncertain, and it is OK to feel worried.

When you are ready, start thinking about the changes you can make to improve your well-being right now. Think about the five areas of well-being: relaxation, contribution, relationships, being active and learning. Perhaps you can concentrate on one area to improve?

It could be finding a book to read, learning something new or introducing mindfulness into your life. Do whatever is realistic and manageable for you. Take one step at a time.

Notice the difference between frowning for 10 seconds and smiling for 10 seconds. Which facial expression made you feel better? A small smile may not solve the situation, but it can help shift how you feel in the moment.

Your career

The next step is to start thinking about your career.

Whether you want to return to work, are facing redundancy or are looking for a career change, how do you find a job that will give you meaning, a challenge and use your skills? Here are some pointers to help you find a career you love:

1. Believe you can make the changes you want to make in your career

Yes, there may be a delay in making these changes as you navigate your current situation. But that doesn’t mean you can’t believe you can do it and start planning how you are going to make these changes. Believe in yourself and believe you can do it. This can help give you the motivation to begin.

2. Think about occasions in your life when you were fully engaged with what you were doing and nothing else mattered

Think of those exciting moments, the times you felt passionate about what you were doing. Think about what was important to you about these moments and use these memories to help you identify which skills and strengths you enjoy using, what environments you enjoy being in, and what motivates you.

These are the factors to take forward when working out what job is going to suit you best. You want to foster your strengths and use your skills.

You aim to find a job that will use your enjoyable skills in a field you are interested in or passionate about. A field that will give you meaning and purpose. It does not have to be saving the world. It’s what purpose and meaning mean to you that is important.

If you would like more support, working with a career coach can help you start creating a career vision to work towards and make positive changes during uncertain times.