During times of uncertainty, we tend to hunker down and cling to the status quo. A kind of myopia kicks in, and we focus on our most urgent decisions: how to keep our families safe and healthy, how to keep our bosses happy, or, if we’ve lost a job, how to find a new one as quickly as possible. When we’re overwhelmed, it can be hard to find the time, motivation, and mental energy to think about longer-term questions.
5 Strategies for Reinventing Your Career in Uncertain Times
Move past fear to explore new avenues for growth.
November 13, 2020
HBR Staff/Mariia Demchenko
Summary.
Uncertainty can make us cling to the familiar — but it’s also an opportunity to expand our mindsets and explore new avenues for growth. Based on their experience as consultants and leadership coaches, the authors offer five strategies to help anyone reinvent their career: First, explore a range of options, including the unthinkable. Second, imagine your best possible future. Third, build up your capabilities. Fourth, start small. Finally, be ruthless about what you need to leave behind. Ultimately, there are no easy answers, but with these strategies, you’ll have the tools you need to deal with whatever the future may bring.