The Strategy I Rely on to Break Through Uncertainty

Read time: 4.5 minutes

What do you do when you’re uncertain and unsure how to move forward?

Maybe you’re facing a career shift, a personal change, or a big decision, but instead of feeling excited, you’re overwhelmed. The constant mental chatter, the second-guessing, the fear of making the wrong move. It’s exhausting, right?

I remember how hard my heart was pounding moments before I left my corporate career (after 8 years) to pursue something more fulfilling.

The second-guessing, the emotional tug-of-war, the fear, the excitement. I’m sure you can imagine. There were days when I was certain I was making a huge mistake. Other times, I was filled with excitement, only to be deflated by doubt.

Here’s why this is important.

Looking back on that decision day, I realize it wasn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or hoping the fear would magically disappear. It was about learning how to work with all the emotions that come up when we face change.

And there’s a simple strategy I’ve relied on to break through uncertainty—no matter how overwhelming the change ahead might seem—and it works.

But only if you do the work.

Doing the Inner Work

When you’re in the midst of change, it’s easy to get lost in your emotions. One moment, you’re full of excitement, and the next, you’re paralyzed by doubt. It’s exhausting, but it’s also completely normal.

Change can feel overwhelming because we naturally resist it. It’s human to want stability and certainty, but unfortunately, those things don’t always show up when we need them most.

The trick is to feel all the emotions without letting them take control. Acknowledge that it’s ok to feel uncertain, but don’t let that uncertainty hold you back.

This is the emotional work that lays the foundation for everything else.

Why Most People Never Take Action

Here’s a reality check: Most people never take action on change because they’re waiting for the “perfect moment”—when all the stars are aligned and all the questions are answered.

Waiting for that perfect moment is a waste of time. You don’t have to figure everything out before taking the first step. And one of the filters I use to avoid getting stuck in inaction like this is what I call a Knowledge Check—which is part of my 7-step decision-making process.

Here’s how it works:

As someone who struggles with waiting for the “perfect moment,” I often find myself overthinking and delaying progress. So, I like to ask myself a simple question: Do I have enough information to make a sound and informed decision?

More often than not, the answer is yes. And that’s the reminder I need—I don’t have to feel completely confident to take the first step. I don’t need every answer before I begin.

The goal isn’t to wait for everything to make sense—it’s to gather enough to take action and let the clarity come as I move forward.

A Reliable Approach

Breaking through uncertainty requires a reliable approach that helps you take action even when you’re unsure. This is the strategy I’ve used to navigate change, and it’s simple:

Step 1: Narrow Your Focus

Choose one area in your life or career where you feel ready to make a change. This could be anything from work to personal growth to relationships. The important thing is to narrow it down to something specific.

For example, instead of saying “I want to switch jobs,” clarify why you want to make that change. Are you seeking more fulfillment, a better work-life balance, or a career that aligns with your values?

When I decided to leave my corporate career, I knew I wanted to do something more fulfilling. But what did that look like? It was a career that allowed me to prioritize my values and family time. I didn’t want my life to come second to my work.

Step 2: Break Down the Change

Now that you’ve chosen your focus, it’s time to break it down into smaller, manageable steps.

When I decided to leave my job, I didn’t just quit and hope for the best. I broke the process down into tangible actions—things that felt doable.

Here’s your action plan:

• Write down the steps you need to take to make that change.
• If you’re making a career change, you might take the following steps: researching opportunities, learning new skills, networking with people in that field, and applying for jobs.
• Make sure each step is specific, action-oriented, and realistic.

Here how’s I did it:

• Step 1: Research—I needed to figure out how to turn my passion into a career. I researched opportunities, connected with people doing what I wanted to do, and got clear on my options.
• Step 2: Build the bridge—I planned a slow transition, building new skills, saving money, and earning an income on the side while working my corporate job.
  
  

Step 3: Start Where You Are and Reflect as You Go

Now that you have your steps, start taking action—even if you’re not “ready.” The key is using what you have to build momentum.

When transitioning from my corporate job to working for myself, I started small. I worked nights and weekends until I built up enough momentum to leave my job altogether.

Here’s how to approach this:

• Start with what you have: Use the time, resources, or energy you have now to take small steps toward the outcome you’re after. This is where you either put in the work or don’t—every little bit makes a difference.
• Reflect regularly: After each step, check in to see what’s working and what’s not. Ask yourself:
  • What’s working?
  • What’s holding me back?
  • What are my next steps?
  • Do I need to adjust?
    
    

The Bottom Line

If you’re feeling uncertain about a career shift or personal change you’re facing, I hope you’ll reconsider your approach to moving forward.

Instead of avoiding it or waiting for the “perfect moment” to make a move, break everything down into manageable steps.

The key to breaking through uncertainty is not perfection—it’s progress. The first step doesn’t need to be flawless, and you don’t have to have all the answers. But you do need to start.

Small steps, even messy ones, will always lead to more clarity. And over time, momentum will carry you farther than you could have imagined.

See you next Sunday, my friend.