When you’re passionate about your work and riding a wave of success, maintaining momentum feels effortless. But what happens when disruption hits—whether it’s economic upheaval, industry transformation, or unexpected personal challenges? How do you navigate forward when your familiar path suddenly becomes uncertain?
My Story | From Information Specialist to Adaptive Professional
For years, I built my career as an information specialist. Companies trusted me to tackle their complex challenges and deliver the insights they needed. This work energized me—I’ve always been naturally curious, and I constantly evolved my investigative toolkit to stay sharp and provide fresh value to clients.
Then 2008 happened. The economic downturn didn’t just slow things down; it fundamentally shifted how businesses operated. Projects that once flowed steadily became scarce. After years of freelance independence, I felt disconnected from traditional employment pathways. The uncertainty was overwhelming.
The Power of Reframing Your Questions
My initial reaction was predictable: Why is this happening to me? How will I survive financially? What am I supposed to do now? These questions only amplified my anxiety and kept me stuck in problem-focused thinking.
But I knew from my Freedom Zone practice that the quality of our questions determines the quality of our solutions. So I shifted my inquiry entirely.
Instead of asking “What’s wrong?” I asked “What’s working?”
- What did I love most about my work? The variety, the constant learning, the unique dynamics of each client relationship.
- What were my strongest assets? Flexibility, creativity, and relentless solution-finding—no matter what obstacles emerged.
What This Reveals: When we’re in crisis mode, we naturally focus on threats and limitations. But our breakthrough moments come from redirecting our attention to strengths, opportunities, and possibilities we hadn’t considered.
This perspective shift changed everything. Instead of seeing myself as a victim of circumstances, I recognized myself as someone with valuable skills navigating a changing landscape. I began collaborating with colleagues, which opened entirely new revenue streams and client relationships.
The Freedom Formula | Adaptation Over Resistance
Rather than fighting the new reality or getting trapped in blame and complaints, I chose adaptation. This wasn’t just about surviving—it was about discovering opportunities that my previous success had obscured.
What This Reveals: True professional freedom isn’t about controlling external circumstances; it’s about cultivating the internal agility to respond creatively to whatever emerges.
Your Turn | Questions for Breakthrough
Are you facing a situation that feels impossible to resolve? Consider these reframing questions:
- What strengths do you possess that you might be overlooking?
- How could this disruption be redirecting you toward something better aligned with who you’re becoming?
- What partnerships or collaborations might emerge from this challenge?
- If this obstacle were actually an invitation, what would it be inviting you toward?
What This Reveals:
The same qualities that made you successful in the past are likely the keys to your next breakthrough—you just need to apply them in new ways.
Your current challenge isn’t the end of your story. It might be the beginning of your best chapter yet.
Want more of these life-changing insights? The Freedom Zone book has been out of print, but we are working on a downloadable version to make these powerful distinctions available to everyone who’s ready for greater freedom. [Get on the list] to be first to know when it’s ready!