Striving Through Your Waiting Season
- Candace Amos
- Aug 12, 2023
- 4 min read
Navigating Growth: Strategies to Embrace During Your Waiting Season
So, you’re at a crossroads. The title almost said “surviving,” didn’t it? Let’s inject some positivity into this journey. I know life might have thrown you a curveball – maybe you’ve lost your job or landed in a brand-new city with zero connections. Trust me, it’s okay to take a moment and soak in what’s changed.
Now, when you’re ready to step into your waiting season, I’ve got a bunch of ideas to prep you for that upcoming win. But before we dive into that, let’s get on the same page about what this waiting season is. Because, honestly, you might be right in the middle of it without even realizing it!
The waiting season is when you’ve felt the loss, and you’ve accepted it. Let’s say you lost your job – if you’re still steaming with anger and denial, you’re not quite in the waiting season yet. Or you just ended a long-term relationship, and the sting of shattered dreams is still super fresh. In that case, you’re in the grieving zone.
No rush on the grieving, seriously. We tend to pretend we’re superheroes, unaffected by life’s twists and turns. We slap on that “fake it ’til you make it” grin. But when the faking part stretches longer than we’d like, it stings even more than the original hit.
The waiting season is when you’re facing forward. You’ve put out good vibes into the world – be it through your career or your circle of friends – and now you’re just giving life a chance to send some goodness back your way. It’s like waiting for karma to do its thing!
Ready for some strategies to prep for your big comeback? I got you.
1. Organize Your Life
Finances, anyone? It’s not the most exciting topic, I get it. But guess what? Getting your financial game together is like giving yourself a high-five. With a clear financial plan, you’re prepped for whatever comes next. No more stress about money – you’ve got it under control.
And then there’s the big one – your vision. How often do you sit down and think about how you want your life to look? Probably not enough. Well, now’s the time. Imagine your ideal life setup. What kind of work do you want to do? What activities set your soul on fire? This waiting season is like a gift – it lets you design the life you truly want.
You can prepare to ease into your next job opportunity by entering it with an organized home, well-managed finances, and clarity on how you want your ideal life to be set up.
2. Educate Yourself
How many times have you questioned your career path? You know, the one you racked up thousands of student loans for? You probably daydream about swapping gigs with the finance associate who sits down the hall. It’s a classic case of “the grass is greener.”
A career break could be the perfect opportunity to explore an alternate lane. The internet is rife with educational resources on just about every topic you can think of. Use this time to sharpen your skills in preparation for the next level or the entry level of something totally different.
When your career gears start whizzing again, you’ll be more than prepared – whether it’s a step up or a thrilling sidestep. Your future self will thank you.
3. Give Your Side Hustle a Head Start
After experiencing a surprise layoff, I have vowed to never rely on one stream of income ever again. It is just way too risky to work until the point of mental and physical exhaustion all to make a corporation more wealthy without guaranteed job stability. During your waiting period, you can focus on developing the foundation of your business or experimenting with a variety of side gigs. The gig economy is thriving and the options to earn an income are endless.
You can sign up to service your community on sites like Thumbtack or Handy with something you don’t mind doing for extra cash. Like to build? Help people assemble their furniture. Are you a self-proclaimed neat freak? Test out being a home organizer. Is the Pythagorean theorem still fresh in your brain? How about tutoring students in your neighborhood? The best thing about all of this is that you can set your own hours and work when you want.
4. Practice Stress Management
Stress management isn’t just a buzzword, it is an actual system to handle the burden of disappointment without it completely throwing you off of your game. Depression is real and it’s important that we find options to seek help when things get too overwhelming. If you don’t have a stress-management plan, now is the perfect time to find one. There are tons of ideas to blow off steam from going to church to receive an uplifting word to practicing yoga to stretch all the stress out. It’s all up to you.
5. Expand Your Network
It’s cheesy but the saying is ever so true: “Your network determines your net worth.” Our connections to people have such a massive impact on everything from our mindset and social life to career prospects and business opportunities. You should be using part of this time to conduct live learning a.k.a. networking by way of coffee chats or asking people that you are inspired by to hop on Zoom calls. A simple conversation can be life-changing and all it takes is a kind introduction and a simple request. Aim to speak to at least 1-2 new people per week regardless of career level. Because here’s the deal: every person has a story, wisdom to share, or a door to nudge open for you. Do this and you are bound to meet someone who can have a positive impact on your career.
Final Thoughts
Embrace your waiting season. It’s that rare pocket of time when you can decompress and truly focus on your own growth. And let’s be honest, these moments are like precious gems – they don’t roll around often. When you look back, you’ll see this time not as a pause, but as a pivotal moment of growth. Figure out how to transform yourself in ways that can take you to the next level.
Interested in a deeper dive? Check out some of my coaching offerings and reach out to book a discovery call.
Comentarios