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Welcome to Modern Compass. Each issue, I share one topic through the lens of the four directions; Self, Trust, Relationships, and Character so you can decide with clarity where you're going next. If someone forwarded this to you, [subscribe here].

We all face uncertainty at some point in our lives. Whether it’s through new things we try, disruption or instability, uncertainty can hit without notice or grace. During these bouts of uncertainty, it can be hard to focus or be productive.

The two of the most common forces that I’ve seen cause uncertainty are as follows:

Let me tell you about a time when disruption was high and the uncertainty was ripe. I once endured 3 rounds of layoffs within an 18 months period. That first round of layoffs was a gut punch of losing friends and colleagues. Uncertainty was like a visible thick fog in the air that you couldn’t escape. I stuck it out and did what I refer to in my manuscript of “map who you are before deciding who you become next”. There’s too much to tell on that topic (which is why there will be a book on it), but a small sample of that is the discovery that I love coming up with the ideas and I want to be in the room for that. I do not excel , or enjoy as much the execute 100 steps from point a to point b. Product Management became a natural path I wanted to explore because I get to ideate more than I operate.

That uncertainty eventually led to one of my biggest career moves of breaking into Product Management (with some help), which I’ve now had the pleasure of working in that space the past 6 years and currently a Senior Product Manager.

In 2026, uncertainty has arrived again but this time from knocking from both doors. I’ve been working on Modern Compass a year and a half now, and have a full completed manuscript that I’m doing the editing on now and (behind frankly because I have to execute the 100 steps now). The uncertainty comes from second guessing myself now that beyond editing there is copy editing. For the most part, beyond these edits, this is what the world (however small or large scale that ends up being) will see, and I haven’t done any of this before. The 2nd door I mention is now career uncertainty again, this time for different reasons. I won’t go into detail here but I’m faced with uncertainty from both angles.

So what do we do, do we just live with it and continue to let it ruminate? Honestly, a little yes. I think there is a period of time where you let uncertainty run its course, similar to the way we are generally told to let grief in to process it. In the case of uncertainty, let it show you what it believes is the worse possible outcome. Once you spot it, it’s time to move away from it. I propose you do that, thinking about it through the Modern Compass directions (Self, Trust, Relationships, & Character). Following are a few high level ways to tackle uncertainty across the 4 directions:

Self

Self worth isn’t earned the way confidence is, in fact it’s not earned at all. It’s a universal truth that we all have worth. Where the worth lies is we have to find ways to connect with that truth if we lost our connection to it. The sooner you understand that delineation between Worth and Confidence, the sooner you will protect your sense of Worth when uncertainty arrives.

Trust

Uncertainty has a way of exposing where you've been placing trust you shouldn't have, and withholding it from people who've earned it. Take an honest look at both. Where have you been leaning on institutions, relationships, or narratives that haven't held up? Where have you been reluctant to trust someone who has consistently shown up for you? Redirect accordingly.

Relationships

Take stock of the depths of your various relationships, see this past issue for more. If uncertainty is running rampant and you haven’t dedicated consistent time to relationships, whether that be personal or professional, start now. You are operating at a serious disadvantage if you don’t. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned the last few years on the career side of things, connecting is just as important as accomplishments. Accomplishments are a one time benefit, connections can offer a reoccurring benefit.

Character

This one is the simplest yet most telling of all 4. Character is what you display to the world through your actions, effort, and lived experiences. Uncertainty reveals your true colors, your fight or flight instincts, and your determination. Reflect on how you show up when faced with uncertainty, you will often find common themes of how you respond. In times of uncertainty, those connections I mentioned above, they see your Character more than ever here.

I gave you my take on sitting with uncertainty before moving through it, but many find their own way. If something has genuinely helped you navigate uncertainty, hit reply and share it. The best responses I receive I'll spotlight in the next issue.

As mentioned above I am behind on my editing, and it is a slog. It’s not the fun, ideation part, but it’s work that has to be done. I think next time I would hire someone to do more of the actual editing work not just assessment. Additionally, I was so new to the process some of my initial chapters needed a lot of work. So it’s part rewriting and part editing the first 30% of the book.

I have some time off to dedicated towards editing and starting to get back on track with 5am editing mornings (post summer vacation). My plan is to finish these edits hell or high water before the next summer trip end of July (to the Grand Canyon). I’m sure this trip will bring some new fresh perspective seeing one of natures 7 wonders of the world to carry through the rest of execution all year into book launch next year.

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