Ebbs and Flows
If we had our way and the ability to control every aspect of our life, we would look to make it a consistent pattern on positive occurrences. In my field as a Job Search Strategy Coach, it would mean a regular stream of clients, enough to keep me busy, but not so much as to overwhelm me. As the end of 2025 was coming near, I was experiencing a down turn of client appointments. Some of that was gratefully from clients landing their next opportunities. Other slowdowns were occurring when clients with whom I was actively working would not respond to my follow-up calls and emails. Still others were when clients were assigned to me from an outplacement service where I get a good deal of my business, decided they did not want to take advantage of the benefit they were offered.
Unexpectedly, as 2025 was coming to an end, there was a surge in client activity. Some came from reach out by private clients that I had either worked with before, or through referrals from those who know the kind of work that I do. Another outplacement vendor that I have worked with on two occasions in the past when they had overwhelming volume, reached out again to me on Christmas Eve with the need for additional coaching assistance to handle a client influx. My January of 2026 has been my busiest month in a while.
The same thing holds true for those who are my clients, job searchers looking for their next opportunity. Those clients often initially find that when they start applying for jobs that no one is reaching back in response to their application. As time moves forward, they may begin to see a trickle of activity. Some of that may come by learning that just applying directly online is not the only way to find opportunities. They learn the importance of reaching out to those they have worked with in the past to learn of opportunities at companies that they work. Others, learn that family members, or contacts of family members may be of assistance in the search. Still others learn how to improve their presentation tools, both written and verbally, so that others get to know the skills the job searcher possesses and the problems that they solve.
So how is one to manage the ebbs and flows in their life, (whether it is in a job search, or just managing the day to day and week to week existence)? I find what first helps me is having a schedule or calendar with which to refer. What things to I have coming up over the next few days, next couple of weeks, or the next month. Based on that, what am I able to truly take on, and frankly what may I have to put aside to another time. I look to make sure the more definitive I know those items I need to do, that I have them in front of me, (either again on a calendar or a to do list).
One of the other things I am finding is very important is to recognize the distractions in one’s life, and discipline one’s self to avoid them as best as possible. Is your distraction your phone? Perhaps you can put it on silent or vibrate, and only respond to it at certain times of the day. Is it being drawn into internet sites that catch your eye, while you are actively working on something that requires your complete focus and attention. If possible, stay off those sites, or shut them down, and leave up only those resources you absolutely need to complete the work you need to do.
If the flows have you overwhelmed, is it possible to reschedule some of the items to a less busy period, or perhaps use the assistance of a trusted friend, family members, or confidant to help. And, if the ebbs have one disappointed, such as they may never find the type of work that they need to do to maintain their income or lifestyle, one can look at that time as perhaps a time to learn a new skill that will help make them more desirable. This is where an online world of free seminars or webinars becomes very important. Also, look for opportunities to connect with others, be that in person, or virtually at networking events of those having the same needs as yourself.
The world of work 2026 frankly is one, whether you are an independent business owner or even a major corporation, that you cannot completely control the flow of work coming your way to meet the needs of your customers. With that reality in mind, there could be times where frankly you become a candidate to be laid off from your job, or see your role terminated. The ebbs and flows of the workforce will continue to come. And, as such one needs to be prepared to respond to them when they come a calling. Are you prepared for the ebbs and flows in your life in 2026?
