The past 12+ months have taken their toll on humankind. Isolation due to COVID-19, the loss of a job, a home, or even worse a loved one. The ongoing news reports of social injustice and political divide have left millions of people all over the world in a state of despair and hopelessness. 
In the past, I was quick to retort that hope is not a strategy. When an employee used the phrase “I hope so” while being asked about an expected outcome, I was convinced that hoping equated to a lack of planning or confidence in the plan; a sentiment that is reflected in the words of Benjamin Franklin, “He that lives upon hope will die fasting.” 
My perspective has since changed. I have recognized the importance of hope as a driver to move forward when things are not going as planned. I learned to go with the flow, trust the process, and just be instead of constantly doing. 
What shifted?
Having an abundance of time to reflect while being home alone, and going through the iPEC program to become a certified professional coach. This unintended, unplanned, and extended time-off has connected me to my greater purpose in life. Things shifted, and I am certain that this change will lead to a very fulfilling journey in my career and my life going forward. And trust me, you can do the same. 
If you are feeling that your current, less-than-ideal circumstances define you, let me share some wisdom on how to get to a better place:  

1. Re-align with your purpose

Is the dream you are chasing aligned with your values? If the answer is no, it is time to reassess, reinvent, and reposition yourself regardless of the stage you are in in your career or life. Make sure that your resume reflects what you are looking for, not just what you accomplished in the past. Let your personality shine through!

2. Understand that circumstances are temporary

Life ebbs and flows. It is understandable to become scared or feel hopeless when the ebb phase is a lot longer than you ever anticipated, and it requires you to make changes in your lifestyle and living circumstances. There is no shame in that. Have faith that the next flow is just around the corner. 

3. Don’t let fear be your driver

Instead of assuming that an outcome from the past will repeat itself, take every event such as a job interview as a single event to learn from. You are interviewing your potential employer as much as they are interviewing you. And if it doesn’t work out, look at what you have learned from the experience and move on without dwelling on what might have gone wrong.  

4. Raise your level of energy

I do believe that we attract people with the same level of energy, perspective, and attitude that we resonate with. No wonder you are stuck if you feel like a victim of circumstances or feel you don’t have the power to change anything. The reality is quite different. We always have a choice of what we think, feel, and what actions we take. Imagine what would be possible if you could look at life’s opportunities, feel as if you were one with your environment, and had the power to co-create your life? Guess what? You DO have the power. It’s all in how you show up. 

5. Create a vision board

You are the co-creator of your life. You are empowered to put your desires out there and watch how one dream after another manifests. There is no right or wrong way of doing this. Clip images out of a magazine, use props, or draw. I have successfully used Pinterest in the past to create vision boards and my current screensaver is an image of my dream job, which I know is right around the corner. 
In the words of American novelist Anne Lamott, who by the way married for the first time at the age of 65 (talking about hope!) “Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: you don’t give up.” I hope that you succeed!