Navigating the Floundering Waters of Professional Life

Embracing the Chaos of Uncertainty

Do you ever have moments when you feel like a lost sock in the laundry machine? You're spinning, you're tumbling, and you have absolutely no idea where you're going to land, or if you'll even end up with your mate. I’m talking about floundering, my friends.

You're staring at an email request, a project brief, and your brain feels like a browser with 30 tabs open, and half of them are frozen. You have no idea where to start, what to do, or even what day it is. It's like you're in a competitive swimming race, and someone forgot to tell you where the finish line is. Or if you're even supposed to be swimming. You’re just… flailing. Gracefully, of course, because you're still fabulous.

The Reality of Professional Life

I remember when my mum asked if someone "taught me the process" for my job. Unfortunately for many of us, sometimes in the professional world, there is no process. Or at least, not one anyone's bothered to document or train you on. Or the task might be so broad and vague that what would a process even look like? I shudder to consider it.

There are some glorious, sometimes terrifying, "figure it out" moments, which may ring a bell:

• The brand-new initiative: "We've never done this before, but we think you're the person to spearhead it!" (Translation: "Good luck, we'll see you on the other side!")

• The legacy system no one understands: "Just hop into the old database and pull the numbers." (Translation: "Prepare for an archaeological dig, and maybe bring a shovel.")

• The vague request: "It's not quite right... can you just make it better?" (Translation: "The ball is entirely in your court, and we're not sure what game we're playing.")

  
  

It's in these "figure it out" times that you realize your role isn't just to execute a pre-defined task; it's to create the path forward.

The Power of Collaboration

When you're stuck in the mire of indecision, like I often am, especially when there's no clear path, the absolute best thing you can do is engage with others. A quick chat can work wonders.

Think about it: who in your team is great at what? Who's the person who can untangle the knottiest problems with a flick of their wrist? Delegation is a sign of a smart woman who knows her limits and how to leverage the strengths of her squad. And honestly, people often love to help—it makes them feel useful.

Speaking of which, often when you aren't the subject matter expert and you are literally floundering in a brand new space, "useful" is not the first feeling I get! Now, despite perhaps not fully believing that you are the right person to spearhead that new project or dive into the problem, I often find that with some careful delegation, I discover the value I am actually adding. I am not left feeling like a glorified paperweight.

As it turns out, herding sheep (cough your colleagues) is a skill in itself, and not everyone can do it!

You Are the Conductor of Your Orchestra

Think of yourself as the orchestra conductor, even if you can't play every instrument. You're still directing traffic, identifying roadblocks, and facilitating solutions. Maybe you can't write the code, but you can clearly articulate the problem and the desired outcome. Maybe you can't design the graphic, but you can provide killer feedback and define the target audience.

Your value isn't just in the doing; it's in the thinking, the connecting, and the guiding. It's in the ability to take a blank slate and start sketching.

Finding Your Balance

So, the next time you find yourself floundering, remember: it’s okay to not know all the answers. It’s okay to have to "figure it out." It’s okay to ask for help. And it’s absolutely okay to lean on your amazing network.

Because at the end of the day, whether you're strategizing a major project, navigating an unknown territory, or just deciding which font to use in a presentation, you are the key coordinator. And yes Mum, that is a real job that I get paid for!

Conclusion: Embrace the Journey

In this wild ride we call work, it’s essential to embrace the journey. Each twist and turn, each moment of uncertainty, is a chance to learn and grow. So, let’s celebrate the floundering! Let’s turn those chaotic moments into opportunities for connection and creativity.

After all, we’re all in this together, navigating the unpredictable waters of our careers. And who knows? You might just find that lost sock along the way!