Friend,

Sarah, a VP at a biotech company, had it all figured out.

Perfect systems. Optimized calendar. Quarter after quarter of exceeded targets.

Until 2023 hit her like a freight train.

Job cuts hit her industry. Her team was reshuffled, and she was fired.

For the first time in her career, her go-to move 'working harder and smarter' wasn't working.

Sound familiar?

Here's what 87% of high achievers do wrong:

They treat personal change like a business problem to solve.

The result? Burnout, confusion, and that gnawing feeling that success shouldn't feel this empty.

The hidden truth about uncertainty:

External chaos is often life signaling it's time for internal transformation.

That industry disruption? Maybe it's highlighting work that no longer fits who you're becoming.

That relationship stress? Could be exposing values you didn't know you had.

That financial pressure? Might be pushing you toward more authentic work.

I used to really struggle with change

Like most people, I used to struggle with change.

My family and I moved around a lot when I was in middle school, and I still remember standing frozen at the lunch pavilion, tray in hand, a nervous knot in my stomach as I scanned for a place to sit, certain every eye was on me.

At some point, I adopted the belief that I didn’t belong.

This kept me from inviting friends to my birthday parties, fearing they’d reject me and not show up.

I’d watch classmates laugh together at lunch, their ease a world apart from my own. I longed to join them but convinced myself I’d never fit in.

It made forming new friendships nearly impossible, so I dove into books to escape the loneliness of childhood and numb the pain of isolation.

I learned that change can tempt us to retreat from life—into books, into ourselves—to avoid the pain of feeling out of control. Over time, I slowly began letting people in, and discovered that connection was worth the risk.

Here's what I've learned working as a coach, helping hundreds of people navigate change in their lives.

Your Change Cycle Compass: Four Stages of Internal Navigation

Think of these four stages as your navigational map when everything else feels uncertain:

Stage 1: The Dissolution (Death and Rebirth)

You know you’re here when familiar approaches stop working, you feel confused about your direction, and your usual identity feels shaky. This isn’t failure—it’s the necessary first stage of meaningful change.

During external uncertainty, this stage often feels amplified. You might think, “Am I having a mid-life crisis, or is the world just falling apart?” Often, it’s both, and that’s okay.

Key navigation tool: Instead of trying to figure everything out immediately, practice what I call “productive confusion.” Give yourself permission to not know while staying engaged with life.

Stage 2: The Dreaming (New Possibilities)

After the fog of Stage 1 starts clearing, new possibilities emerge. You begin seeing opportunities that weren’t visible when you were attached to your old way of being.

This is where external uncertainty becomes an advantage. Disrupted industries create new niches. Changed work patterns reveal new lifestyle possibilities. Economic shifts expose what you truly value.

Key navigation tool: Vision without attachment. Dream boldly about what wants to emerge, but hold it lightly enough to let it evolve.

Stage 3: The Implementation (Hero’s Journey)

You’re taking action on your new vision, encountering obstacles, and discovering what works. This stage requires courage because you’re operating outside your previous comfort zone.

External chaos can actually accelerate this stage. When everything’s shifting anyway, you might as well shift toward what aligns with who you’re becoming.

Key navigation tool: Small experiments over grand plans. Test your new direction in low-stakes ways while keeping your day job.

Stage 4: The Integration (Promised Land)

You’ve found your new rhythm. Life feels authentic and energizing. You’ve developed competence in your new way of being.

This stage provides internal stability regardless of external circumstances. You become less reactive to market volatility because your worth isn’t entirely tied to external validation.

Key navigation tool: Enjoy the stability while staying open to the next cycle. Growth continues.

The Counterintuitive Strategy

Here’s what most high-achievers miss: External uncertainty often signals that it’s time for internal transformation.

This week, one question:

What is this uncertainty trying to teach me about my own development?

The people who thrive through change don't resist it—they learn to dance with it.

And that dance starts with understanding which stage you're in right now.

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Until next week,

Alex

P.S. - Watch the Uncover Your Purpose Talk Now – Unlock Your Why and Live with Passion!

Which stage of the change cycle resonates most with where you are right now? Hit reply and let me know. I read every response.

This newsletter was written for achievement-focused professionals ready to navigate change with more skill and less stress. If it resonated, forward it to someone who might benefit.

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