3 answers
Hannah
Student
Ann Arbor, Michigan
1
Question
Asked
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How do I best plan for the future (financially and otherwise) during such uncertain social, economic, and political times? #Spring25
So many of the systems I grew up with seem to be growing rapidly volatile and unreliable. I'm not sure how to adjust my future plans in response to the uncertainty #Spring25
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3 answers
Heather MacDonald
Principal Consultant
24
Answers
Salt Lake City, Utah
Updated
Heather’s Answer
This is such a great question because there is a lot of uncertainty and many of the things that used to be true have shifted. I remember where the advice was always go to school, get a degree, get a job, work at the same company for 40 years, and then retire with your gold watch, house on the hill, and nice cars. These days, things have changed and continue to change at what feels like an unrelenting pace. As someone who's been working for a while now the things I see being most helpful for folks are a strong understanding of yourself and what you want/need in life so you can focus on pursuing the things that align with that, the ability to constantly learn, unlearn, and relearn as needed to reinvent yourself, and a strong community seem to be the most helpful in navigating the world.
The first piece about knowing yourself. If you can take the time to understand what you want and need you can pursue the opportunities that will help you achieve those goals. Sometimes we think we need the designer bags or fancy clothes to be "successful" but success really is what you want it to be. For some folks it's flexibility and freedom to work from anywhere for others it is the big salary and chance to own the things they want. Only you can decide what success looks like and what you need to do to sustain your lifestyle.
The second thing is knowing how to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Adam Grant's book Think Again talks about this. With the pace of change, we can no longer assume what we learn today will be relevant for any length of time. We have to get comfortable not knowing all the answers and knowing how we can find them or build them for ourselves. Build practices that will help you stay up to date on things relevant to your work and find ways to always be learning. It makes weathering change so much easier if you have enough skills to pivot your career as needed.
Finally, building a community of support. I used to hate networking thinking it was just people trading business cards trying to sell each other stuff. What I have found is networking can be a way to make new friends and connect with folks that can be mentors, cheerleaders, or champions for you. You have to be willing to invest in your network but when you do that your network can then invest in you. In markets that are challenging it's often having a referral that will help you get through the application screening process to talk to a human. It doesn't work every time but it definitely improves your chances. Plus when times get tough having people to turn to can help you feel less alone and offer different types of support. I always tell folks start where you are and connect with folks along the way. Cultivate the relationships you value and want to invest in and see your community flourish.
Just know that no matter where life takes you it's never too late to do something different or change your mind and try something new. I hope this is helpful. Good luck to you in life and your career journey.
The first piece about knowing yourself. If you can take the time to understand what you want and need you can pursue the opportunities that will help you achieve those goals. Sometimes we think we need the designer bags or fancy clothes to be "successful" but success really is what you want it to be. For some folks it's flexibility and freedom to work from anywhere for others it is the big salary and chance to own the things they want. Only you can decide what success looks like and what you need to do to sustain your lifestyle.
The second thing is knowing how to learn, unlearn, and relearn. Adam Grant's book Think Again talks about this. With the pace of change, we can no longer assume what we learn today will be relevant for any length of time. We have to get comfortable not knowing all the answers and knowing how we can find them or build them for ourselves. Build practices that will help you stay up to date on things relevant to your work and find ways to always be learning. It makes weathering change so much easier if you have enough skills to pivot your career as needed.
Finally, building a community of support. I used to hate networking thinking it was just people trading business cards trying to sell each other stuff. What I have found is networking can be a way to make new friends and connect with folks that can be mentors, cheerleaders, or champions for you. You have to be willing to invest in your network but when you do that your network can then invest in you. In markets that are challenging it's often having a referral that will help you get through the application screening process to talk to a human. It doesn't work every time but it definitely improves your chances. Plus when times get tough having people to turn to can help you feel less alone and offer different types of support. I always tell folks start where you are and connect with folks along the way. Cultivate the relationships you value and want to invest in and see your community flourish.
Just know that no matter where life takes you it's never too late to do something different or change your mind and try something new. I hope this is helpful. Good luck to you in life and your career journey.
Thank you so much for this advice! It means a lot to have my worries be taken seriously and be given an honest answer instead of just reassurance. I really like the part about learning, unlearning, and relearning. I'm working on becoming more adaptive in response to change and I like how you framed it as a continuation of the learning journey instead of as scrambling to keep up with all the chaos (which is how it often feels to me). So, thank you so much again. I am definitely going to remember your response!
Hannah
Dr. Sudeep Mohandas
Advisor, Board Member, Author, Soccer Coach, Consultant
45
Answers
Cockeysville, Maryland
Updated
Dr. Sudeep’s Answer
Life is full of uncertainties. You have to embrace them and never lose sight of it and be realistic to think it can happen today. Live in the present. Thus, what you should do now is to save money, invest well, save food, do not over spend, do not invest in what you cannot maintain, stay focussed to your ambitions, manage what you have and be disciplined in whatever you do. Keep good friends, do not be among toxic people and learn to share amongst family and do not lose sight of your goals. Tell yourself that you are one day less to your goal instead of saying you have so many days left to your goal. That way, you do know you have move forward. Finally do not leave those who with you behind, bring them along, they are your pillars and strength when the going gets tough.
Chiquria Willis
Loan Processor - Rocket Mortgage
94
Answers
Dearborn Heights, Michigan
Updated
Chiquria’s Answer
It's normal to feel uneasy with all the social, economic, and political changes happening now. Planning for the future might seem tough, but you can take steps to become stronger and more adaptable. Here are some simple steps to help you:
1. Strengthen Your Financial Base
Emergency Fund: Try to save enough to cover 3-6 months of expenses. This can protect you from surprises like losing a job or sudden medical costs.
Diversify Income: Look into different ways to earn money, like side jobs, freelancing, or passive income, so you don't rely on just one source.
Invest Wisely: Learn about investing and think about spreading your money across stocks, bonds, and other assets to manage risk.
2. Invest in Yourself
Continuous Learning: The job market changes fast. Keep up by learning new skills or getting certifications that match your interests and job market needs.
Networking: Build a strong network of professionals who can offer support, opportunities, and advice when things are uncertain.
3. Embrace Flexibility
Make plans that can change if needed. Set goals but be ready to adjust if things shift.
Explore different career paths or industries that are growing and stable.
4. Focus on Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Stress and uncertainty can be hard. Focus on self-care, healthy habits, and building strong support systems. Being healthy helps you handle changes better.
5. Stay Informed but Balanced
Keep up with social, economic, and political news to make smart choices, but don't get overwhelmed. Balance news with positive, useful information.
6. Plan Financially for Different Scenarios
Create budgets for the best, worst, and moderate situations. This helps you prepare for changes without stress.
Additional Resources:
Free online financial literacy courses
Career counseling and mentoring programs
Mental health and stress management resources
Planning during uncertain times isn't about knowing exactly what will happen, but about being flexible, ready, and strong.
Remember, you're not alone in feeling this way. Taking these steps can boost your confidence as you move forward.
1. Strengthen Your Financial Base
Emergency Fund: Try to save enough to cover 3-6 months of expenses. This can protect you from surprises like losing a job or sudden medical costs.
Diversify Income: Look into different ways to earn money, like side jobs, freelancing, or passive income, so you don't rely on just one source.
Invest Wisely: Learn about investing and think about spreading your money across stocks, bonds, and other assets to manage risk.
2. Invest in Yourself
Continuous Learning: The job market changes fast. Keep up by learning new skills or getting certifications that match your interests and job market needs.
Networking: Build a strong network of professionals who can offer support, opportunities, and advice when things are uncertain.
3. Embrace Flexibility
Make plans that can change if needed. Set goals but be ready to adjust if things shift.
Explore different career paths or industries that are growing and stable.
4. Focus on Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Stress and uncertainty can be hard. Focus on self-care, healthy habits, and building strong support systems. Being healthy helps you handle changes better.
5. Stay Informed but Balanced
Keep up with social, economic, and political news to make smart choices, but don't get overwhelmed. Balance news with positive, useful information.
6. Plan Financially for Different Scenarios
Create budgets for the best, worst, and moderate situations. This helps you prepare for changes without stress.
Additional Resources:
Free online financial literacy courses
Career counseling and mentoring programs
Mental health and stress management resources
Planning during uncertain times isn't about knowing exactly what will happen, but about being flexible, ready, and strong.
Remember, you're not alone in feeling this way. Taking these steps can boost your confidence as you move forward.