This article is the second in a series called: Transcending the AI Disruption Era

Let's face it - change can feel like a curveball, even if you've seen it coming. One day, you're humming along with regular routines, then suddenly, the ground shifts. Maybe it's the latest news about jobs moving to automation or AI, or it's just that subtle feeling that things aren't as solid as they used to be. Whatever form it takes, uncertainty has a sneaky way of knocking on all of our doors.

So, what actually helps people stay upright - maybe even grow - when life starts getting unpredictable? Two words: resilience and mindset. Not in the clichéd self-help sense, but in real, practical, day-to-day ways.

Why Bother with Resilience?

Here's how I see it. Resilience isn't about acting tough or putting on a brave face. It's about staying flexible, rolling with changes, and finding your footing again - even when it feels like you've been knocked sideways. If AI and automation are reshaping the work landscape (and let's be real, they are), it becomes less about "will I be affected?" and more about "how can I respond - and maybe thrive - no matter what?"

Don't get me wrong: being resilient doesn't mean you never get rattled. It means you build the capacity to get curious - sometimes in the midst of chaos, even when it feels uncomfortable. Throughout history, people have always found ways to adapt and reinvent themselves when the old ways stopped working. There's something quietly heroic about giving yourself permission to do the same.

A Growth Mindset - More than a Buzzword

You've probably heard the phrase "growth mindset" a lot - sometimes almost to the point where it loses meaning. Here's my take: a growth mindset is really about seeing challenges, setbacks, or yes, even failures, not as dead-ends but as part of your process. It's the difference between thinking, "Well, that's just how things are, and there's nothing I can do," and, "Maybe there's something new I could try or learn here."

There's a kind of gentle energy to this approach - almost a spiritual openness, if you want to call it that. It's about staying above the fear and staying in forward movement, however small.

Everyday Ways to Build Resilience (That Actually Stick)

You don't need a dramatic life overhaul. In fact, small, consistent things seem to work best:

  • Jot down what's actually working in your life - even if it's tiny.
  • If there are any habits you with to move away from, write down every time you notice yourself engaging with this habit (don't try to do anything about it other than noting it happened)
  • Give yourself a weekly "experiment" (try something new at work, at home, or just in how you talk to yourself).
  • Practice something grounding - maybe it's taking a walk, maybe it's a breath or two of mindfulness, or connecting with someone who gets you.
  • Find your "tribe" - the folks who help you remember what matters to you, who can listen (or just laugh with you) for a few minutes.

Growing, Even When You're Not Sure

A lot of life's lessons seem to come disguised as stumbling blocks. Instead of beating yourself up, try asking: What can I learn here? Even if it's just, "I learned what didn't work for me." Progress doesn't always look like crossing big milestones - sometimes it's just sticking with the process, noticing when you're being harsh with yourself, and choosing to be a little kinder. Do your best to notice the blessing in every situation, even if you have to look back to find it.

When Uncertainty Looms…

It's natural to worry about what's coming - especially when the news is full of talk about jobs disappearing, industries shifting, and all the rest. But what if, instead of piling on the worry, we ask different questions?

  • "What small step might help me feel less stuck?"
  • "Who can I talk to that's also trying to figure things out?"
  • "What strengths have carried me through before?"
  • "Where can I find inspiration right now?"
  • "Is there a different way I can look at or approach this?"
  • "Is there a hidden opportunity that I am not seeing?"

It's not about ignoring the tough stuff, but about steering attention to what you can shape, even if it's just your outlook for today.

Action Steps (For the Week or Beyond)

  1. Try one new thing that feels like a small risk. Maybe it's reaching out to someone new, taking on an unfamiliar task, or learning a digital tool you've ignored.
  2. Connect with one like-minded person. This could be a friend, a colleague, or even a community that shares your curiosity.
  3. Reflect, gently. At the end of the week, ask, "What helped me feel steady?" or "When did I feel most hopeful?"

Your Story, Your Way

Change has a way of arriving whether or not we're ready for it. But there's good news in that: the chance to rewrite, to experiment, and to discover sides of ourselves we didn't know we had. Every small act of resilience is quietly radical. Every time you choose to learn, to adapt, to reach out - you're doing something powerful.

We don't have to have the grand plan figured out. Every step, however modest, is a vote for your future self. And isn't that what transcending is all about - becoming more than what any system or situation says you can be?

So here's to showing up, being human, and finding momentum in the messy, beautiful process of change.

As always, feel free to share your thoughts - we'd love to hear from you.