Economic uncertainty is mostly noise
The economy may be spiraling. But you don’t have to.
Markets are shaky. Layoffs are rolling in. Headlines shout recession. People are scrambling to make sense of everything from AI to tariffs. The future feels less secure than it has in years.
If you’re trying to move forward but only seeing fog, there is a way through. And it has nothing to do with economic forecasts… or anyone’s opinion on tariffs.
SEEKER: The economy feels like it’s teetering. Layoffs, AI disruption, market shocks… whatever the latest is with tariffs. I’m working harder than ever, but with all this economic uncertainty it feels like the ground beneath me is crumbling.
SAGE: Then let it.
SEEKER: Let it crumble? That’s your advice?
SAGE: Yes. Let the world do what it does. You’re mixing up two very different things… what happens, and how you respond to what happens. They’re not the same.
SEEKER: How so?
SAGE: Layoffs. Artificial intelligence. Stock markets. Central banks. Trade policy. There’s nothing you can do to change any of these things. But that doesn’t make you helpless. Focus on what is yours. Not the world. Your habits. Your skills. Your attitude. Your relationships. Your contribution. That’s how you tame uncertainty.
SEEKER: But I operate in a bigger world, how can I just ignore that?
SAGE: I doubt you were asking these questions when the economy was humming along. You were chasing titles, believing the ground beneath you was solid. Tell me, what’s different today that wasn’t true this time last year, or 10 years ago?
SEEKER: I’ve seen three rounds of layoffs already this year. Somehow it feels like it’s different this time, and I can’t just turn that off and ignore it…
SAGE: Ah, I see. It seems you’ve only been living under the illusion of certainty. Steady salaries, rising markets, linear careers. But that was never the full picture. You didn’t attribute your success to external forces during good times. So why are you beginning to position yourself as a victim of external forces now?
SEEKER: Are you saying it’s a defense mechanism?
SAGE: Maybe. Maybe when things were going smoothly you forgot to work on yourself. Now there’s some external noise and you’re not ready for what’s coming. You haven’t been taking on the hard projects, developing the new skills, or building the new relationships that will propel you through tougher times.
SEEKER: That’s jarring. You’re saying I’ve been following outdated scripts… chasing status, staying loyal, and hoping for the best. But that won’t help me now…
SAGE: Exactly! I see lots of people that have been avoiding the discomfort of agency. But now is not the time to defer power to others. Employers, politicians, the markets. Make sure you don’t fall into this trap. Those who will excel in times like these are the ones who take ownership and act. People who simply react will get left behind.
SEEKER: But I’m doing everything I can. Working longer hours, crushing my KPIs, trying to be indispensable.
SAGE: And yet you feel more replaceable than ever, don’t you?
SEEKER: Well… yes.
SAGE: Then perhaps you are chasing the wrong kind of security. From one role, and one company. It’s given you a lifestyle and a safe haven. There’s nothing wrong with that, but don't cling to these for safety. They provide none. Instead, use what’s happening in the economy right now and what it has awakened in you as an opportunity for growth.
SEEKER: Growth?
SAGE: Yes, growth. The illusion of certainty kept you asleep. Now you’re using uncertainty as an excuse for playing it safe and staying inside your comfort zone. But you need to flip the script and repurpose this feeling into a positive one. Use the discomfort you feel now as the beginning of your next stage of growth.
SEEKER: But how?
SAGE: You don’t just endure uncertainty… use it. Map the shifting terrain. Study what’s changing. Build rare skills. Position diligently. Build new connections. Plan contingencies. Let it start the next phase of your growth. This is in your control.
SEEKER: Hmm… I guess the stability has felt good. The same job, going rung-by-rung on the ladder. I used to think if I just worked hard, I’d be safe. The idea that I'd just naturally grow new skills was more comforting than the idea that I'd have to consciously think of how to develop myself in new ways.
SAGE: Exactly. The world is not stable. It never was, and it never will be. Remember 2020? Offices shut down overnight. Projects scrapped. Whole industries froze. And yet… here you are. The only thing you can be certain of is your own ability. Economic storms and times of turmoil reveal who has built their career on sand, and who has built on something deeper.
SEEKER: So to stay grounded in the middle of all this…
SAGE: Forget “all this.” It won’t matter in a few months. A few years, at worst. Your career will last decades. So I’ll say it again. Many people chase stability in their job. But true stability is internal. It’s a set of capabilities, repeatable behaviors, trusted relationships, and a mindset wired for learning and growth. Focus on these and you’ll feel grounded in any environment.
SEEKER: But what if I do all this… take control, develop new skills… and still get laid off? My friend just got laid off last week…
SAGE: Then you’ll face that moment as someone who is capable, not panicked. And that will make all the difference if that time comes.
SEEKER: Okay. I’ll focus on what I can control. This phase of uncertainty will pass. But the capabilities I build now... they’ll stay with me.
SAGE: You’ve got it! Real safety doesn’t come from a company, a paycheck, or a title. It comes from capability. From becoming someone who adapts, learns, and leads. So build capabilities that will last decades. That’s your real edge, and no economy can take it away.
If this made you think of a friend or teammate, hit forward and pass it on. It only takes 10 seconds and it might be exactly what they need today.