There’s no getting around it. AI is changing the way we work, and for some people, that change is coming fast. Maybe it’s already hit you. Maybe you’ve felt it coming like a storm front on the horizon. Either way, there’s a right way and a wrong way to respond.
Let’s walk through a few perspectives that will help you not only survive, but come out stronger on the other side.
Don’t Panic
When change happens at this speed, the most natural thing to do is panic. You might feel overwhelmed or even a little burned out by how much is shifting, and how quickly. That’s a completely valid response to what is arguably the most dynamic workplace transition we’ve ever seen. But panicking will work against you.
If you tend toward anxiety or worry, now is the time to invest in learning how to ground yourself. Emotional regulation isn’t just a wellness buzzword. It’s a skill. It determines how well you can act when the pressure is on. You know those old “Keep Calm and XYZ” memes? They’re not wrong. You can’t get to XYZ if you lose your ability to stay calm. It all starts with clear-headedness. That’s how you keep your problem-solving engine running.
Avoid the Victim Mentality
You’re not powerless. That statement might be difficult to internalize, especially if you’ve been negatively affected by recent layoffs or industry shifts. Still, slipping into the role of the victim only cuts your legs out from under you. The more time you spend feeling like the world is happening to you, the less energy you have to make moves within it.
This isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about choosing a mindset that actually serves you. Acknowledge the loss if you need to, but don’t set up camp there. Forward motion is your job now.
Look for New Opportunities
It sounds like a platitude because you’ve probably heard it before, but that doesn’t make it wrong. Opportunities are everywhere right now. If you’re not seeing them, it probably means you need more exposure to the new tools coming out. Or you may just need to work out your imagination a little more. Neither of those things are out of reach. You don’t need to be an AI researcher to start. Just get your hands dirty. Play with the tools. Use them to solve a real problem. Then do it again. Over time, you’ll start to notice the patterns and the gaps. That’s where you’ll find your openings.
Beyond using AI itself, there’s guaranteed to be numerous uncovered opportunities at your workplace. Are you concerned that your experience level (e.g. junior engineer) will put you on the chopping block before others in your team? Spend time learning a system that others don’t understand well, or make your mark with soft skills and leadership. Maybe you’re more experienced (e.g. senior engineer), but are concerned that all the enhanced efficiency in your peer level might make some positions expendable. In that case, start looking for problems in the business from new angles that others aren’t looking from. Speaking of which…
Find Problems and Solve Them
This one is evergreen. Whether the economy is booming or in free fall, finding problems and solving them will always be a marketable skill.
Did you get laid off? If you’re in a tight financial spot, you may need to find the next job you can as fast as you can. That’s fine. Do what you need to do. But while you’re working or applying or rebuilding, keep your eyes open. Notice what’s broken. Ask people what’s frustrating them. What’s tedious? What’s expensive? What’s confusing?
Solutions don’t need to be original to be valuable. Just because one company is solving a problem doesn’t mean there isn’t room for someone else to solve it better, faster, or for a more specific audience. That’s where niching down comes in. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Sometimes you just need to put better tires on it.
Humans Are Problem Solving Machines
It doesn’t matter if you’re an engineer, a plumber, a teacher, or a firefighter. You’re a problem solver. That’s what humans are. The tools change, but the instinct doesn’t.
If you’ve spent your career doing one specific type of job and that job is no longer available or relevant, it can feel like your whole skillset is being thrown out. But that’s rarely the truth. The skills underneath the surface are still there. They just need a new frame.
Return to the mindset of a problem solver. That means asking better questions. It means caring about the outcomes people need and trying to build paths toward those outcomes. Yes, lean into what you’re good at. But also leave room for flexibility. In dynamic times, flexibility produces less friction and more results.
Final Thoughts
AI is going to change a lot. Some things will be better. Some things will get messier before they improve. That’s how disruption works. But through it all, you still have agency. You still have the ability to reflect, adapt, and create value.
Keep your head clear. Choose your mindset. Stay curious. Keep solving.
That’s how you thrive.
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