The Worst Time to Stop Investing in Yourself

There is a strange tension in the market right now.

On the surface, a lot of the economic data still looks relatively strong. Inside many companies, though, it feels different. Layoffs keep showing up in the headlines. AI is changing how organizations think about work. Companies are restructuring, consolidating, relocating, and pushing teams to do more with fewer people.

In May, employers announced more than 97,000 job cuts, the highest May total since 2020. AI was cited in 40% of those May cuts, and recent layoffs and restructurings have included companies like Google Cloud, Uber, Meta, and others.

Then last week, Samsung announced it is moving its U.S. headquarters from New Jersey to Texas. Samsung is my old company, so that one hit differently. I immediately thought about the people behind the headline. Former colleagues. Families. Careers. Real conversations happening around kitchen tables about whether to relocate, look for something new, or rethink a future they thought was more settled.

That is what gets lost when we talk about “the market.”

These decisions may show up as business headlines, but they land as human disruption.

The people who lose jobs are obviously affected. The people who stay feel it too. They absorb more work. They watch colleagues leave. They wonder whether their group is next. They try to stay focused while quietly asking what all of this means for their own future.

That is where a lot of the anxiety is sitting right now.

It is in the leader being asked to deliver more with fewer resources. It is in the professional who has done everything “right” and still realizes a restructuring, relocation, AI strategy, or decision made several levels above them can suddenly change the game.

When that happens, many people pull back.

They become cautious. They delay investing in themselves. They put off networking. They postpone coaching. They wait to build new skills. They tell themselves they will focus on development once things settle down.

I get the instinct. When the future feels uncertain, it feels natural to protect what you have.

I also think that instinct can work against you.

The worst time to stop investing in yourself is when the future feels uncertain.

This is when perspective matters. This is when relationships matter. This is when leadership capability matters. This is when career strategy matters. This is when you need to become clearer, more adaptable, and more prepared than you were before the uncertainty started.

I have seen this directly with clients.

Some come into coaching after something has already happened. A role changed. A boss left. A reorganization shifted the landscape. A promotion created pressure they did not expect. A job search became more complicated than they anticipated.

Others come in before the crisis hits, and those are often some of the most powerful conversations.

They know something around them is changing. They may not have all the answers yet, but they do not want to wait until they are forced to figure it out under pressure.

That is where coaching can create a real advantage.

It gives people room to think before they are reacting. It helps them challenge assumptions, see patterns, clarify choices, and make more intentional decisions. It helps them move from “How do I get through this?” to “How do I put myself in a stronger position?”

That shift is significant.

In uncertain markets, a lot of people go into defense mode. They wait. They worry. They watch. They hope the next wave misses them.

Others use the same moment differently.

They strengthen their network before they need it. They build skills before they are forced to. They get sharper about the value they bring. They improve how they lead under pressure. They seek outside perspective so they are not making career and leadership decisions from a place of fear.

That is where coaching becomes more than support.

It becomes preparation.

It is not about having someone hand you all the answers. I would run from any coach who promised that.

It is about creating the structure, challenge, and perspective to make better decisions when the stakes feel higher.

You may not control whether your company restructures. You may not control whether AI changes your function. You may not control whether your headquarters moves or whether your organization decides to eliminate roles, combine teams, or change strategy.

You do control whether you are getting stronger.

You control whether you are building relationships.

You control whether you are sharpening your leadership.

You control whether you are becoming more adaptable, more visible, and more prepared.

So if the last few months have made you uneasy, don’t ignore that. Anxiety is not always a sign to panic. Sometimes it is a sign that something deserves your attention.

Have the conversation. Reconnect with the person you keep meaning to call. Build the skill. Invest in your development. Work with a coach.

Do something that puts you in a stronger position than you were in yesterday.

Waiting for things to settle down may feel safe, but it can leave you less prepared for the future you are worried about.

If you have been telling yourself you will focus on your growth once things calm down, I would not wait much longer.

And if you are feeling pressure, uncertainty, or the sense that it is time to become more intentional about what comes next, let’s talk this week.