When Everything Feels Uncertain: 5 Anchors That Keep Me Focused and Hopeful

The past few months have tested so many of us.

I’ve spoken with clients who had to shut down their international manufacturing operations overnight due to sudden changes in tariffs. I have friends who have been searching for employment for nearly a year. And my business has slowed as companies grapple with whether they can invest in their people amid this turbulent economy.

Uncertainty has become our new normal.

And if you’re feeling it, you’re not alone.

Whether you’re a leader trying to keep your team grounded, a business owner unsure about the next quarter, or someone navigating personal transitions, the emotional weight of “not knowing” can feel heavier than any task on your to-do list.

I’ve been there more than once. From being a teenager facing seven years in prison, to leading soldiers in life-or-death situations, to pivoting a business through a global pandemic, uncertainty has always been a part of my story. But so has resilience.

Here are five things I’ve been doing to stay grounded, hopeful, and focused—no matter what the headlines say:

1. Control What You Can, Release What You Can’t

We all want certainty. But chasing control over things we can’t influence—like interest rates, election results, or sudden market shifts—only deepens the anxiety. I’ve learned to focus on micro-wins: the actions I can take today that move me, my family, and my business forward. Sometimes that’s a call. Sometimes it’s rest. But it’s always within my control.

2. Anchor in Purpose, Not Just Profit

In the silence of slower seasons, I revisit my “why.” Why did I start this journey? Who am I here to serve? When business is booming, you may become so focused on execution that you lose sight of the purpose. But when things slow down, purpose becomes a lifeline. Every morning, I lean into a gratitude practice to identify three things I am grateful for having done. Sometimes, it’s as simple as being thankful for getting out of bed and putting one foot in front of the other.

3. Ask for Help—Then Receive It

This one used to be the hardest for me. As a veteran and a business leader, I used to believe I had to have it all together. Now, I’ve come to understand that strength isn’t about bearing burdens silently—it’s about being brave enough to ask for support. Every time I’ve reached out, I’ve been met with more generosity than I expected.

4. Reframe the Season

What if this isn’t a setback, but a setup? A chance to realign? Reinvent? Rest? I’m learning that not every “slow” season is punishment—it’s often preparation. It’s the soil before the bloom. And when I choose to believe that, I start seeing opportunities I didn’t notice before.

5. Stay Open to Possibility

Uncertainty is uncomfortable, but it’s also where creativity lives. Some of the most significant growth in my business—and in my life—has come from moments when nothing felt stable. But because I stayed open, I was able to spot a new door cracking open, just as another was closing.

The Hope I Hold Onto

If you’re reading this, still waking up, still trying, still showing up… you’re not failing.

You’re evolving.

And while the world may feel shaky right now, I want you to know: you still have what it takes. You’ve already survived every uncertain day up to this point—and that’s no small thing.

Keep going and remember that you don’t have to navigate uncertainty alone.

And if you need a space to process, plan, or simply breathe? My inbox is open.

💬 I’d love to hear from you:

What’s been keeping you grounded lately? What’s one small win you’ve had in the past week, even if it’s just getting out of bed? Let’s normalize celebrating all of it.

Jevon Wooden, MBA, ACC💡, CEO and Founder of BrightMind Consulting Group, is a speaker, trainer, certified coach, and business consultant. He specializes in empathetic leadership, emotional intelligence, and workplace culture. A U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient, Jevon is the author of From Functional to Phenomenal: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Transforming Your Leadership and Business, where he introduces his 5Y Framework for clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth and Own Your Kingdom: How to Control Your Mindset, So You Can Control Your Destiny. His work has been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and Fast Company.