Everybody Gets a Reality Check

Hello Friends!

In the past few weeks, I've heard from a number of friends who have either lost their jobs, or know people who have. What's crazy about this is that the people who were laid off are rockstars. They are extremely qualified, and have been in executive positions for a long time. What's even more surprising is how difficult it's been for them in finding a job.

Having been in entrepreneurship for two-decades, I've also witnessed so many who had to close their businesses because it just wasn't working - which is one of the most traumatic experiences a business owner can go through.

We all have had a reality check in life. That leads into today's topic

Intro

Think about the moments when life knocked us flat. Either we are laid off, or a proposal is rejected, or we’re told our services are no longer needed. These reality checks are inevitable. No matter how prepared we think we are, life will never reach a point where it’s smooth sailing all the way through. And that’s not a flaw in the system, it’s the system itself.

The Unpredictability of Life

Despite all our plans and preparation, life has a way of reminding us that control is often an illusion. A steady job today could vanish tomorrow, and a business that seemed promising might hit unexpected roadblocks. This unpredictability doesn’t just test our resilience, it shapes us. This is why we can never be complacent.

Reality checks aren’t reserved for those new to their fields or facing obvious challenges. They happen to everyone, regardless of experience, education, or track record. Research from LinkedIn shows that 84% of professionals have faced career setbacks at some point, whether it’s losing a job, failing to land a role, or experiencing a business downturn.

Acceptance Leads To Confidence

So, what can we do when reality checks come knocking? First, we need to accept that setbacks are part of the journey, not the end of it. Confidence doesn’t mean never failing; it means believing in your ability to navigate challenges and adapt.

I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding failure but about finding the courage to keep moving forward, even when the path gets rough. Personally, I tend to pivot, or learn new skills, or simply take time to regroup, so that every step forward strengthens my confidence.

Feelings

I've lost subscribers to my newsletters, and have had keyboard warriors insult me because they've disagreed with a social media post - resulting in losing followers. It' easy to take these things personally. It’s essential to remember that good things and bad things coexist, and most of it is beyond our control. While we can’t always predict the next hurdle, we can control how we respond to it.

Parting Words

Life’s reality checks aren’t meant to break us; they’re meant to build resilience and perspective. I don’t like when a client passes on my services, or when an interested prospect ghosts me, or when someone believes my services are not the right solution, but that’s what makes life beautiful and frustrating at the same time. The unpredictability keeps me on my toes. When good things happen, I have more appreciation for it. When bad things happen, I know it's just a phase that will cycle through. What should never change is our belief in ourselves, because that’s the foundation that carries us through every storm. 

Thought Of The Week

A weekly thought to meditate, ruminate, and/or ponder on:

"Life doesn’t get easier or more forgiving; we get stronger and more resilient."

- Steve Maraboli

If you are interested in improving your speaking, communication skills and confidence, schedule a call with me or learn more about communication coaching here. And if you haven’t yet, subscribe to The Confidence Weekly Newsletter here.