Mindfulness in Business and Beyond: Holding the Unknown in Your Work, Life and Business

Mindfulness in Business and Beyond: Holding the Unknown in Your Work, Life and Business

Last week, there was an evening in which I cried.

Not because something dramatic had happened, but because I felt the weight of something quieter — frustration, self-doubt, and a sense that the business results I’ve been hoping for just weren’t materialising. Despite my efforts, despite how much I care, it felt like things weren’t working.

I sat with that feeling for a while, allowing myself to acknowledge it.

And then — almost gently — something shifted.

I reminded myself that nothing is permanent. That I have had many clients before, and clearly I’ve already done something right in the past. That perhaps this moment isn’t proof that I’ve failed, but simply a pause, a gap, a stretch of unknown.

The next day, on a train, I was reading Mindfulness for Beginners by Jon Kabat-Zinn. One concept stood out to me:

“Holding the unknown.”

And I thought: this is the real practice, isn’t it?
Not just in meditation, but in business. In careers. In life.

The courage to not know

I’m no expert, but in mindfulness we’re taught to observe what’s here, without rushing to fix it.
To breathe through discomfort.
To allow emotions to rise and fall.
To return, gently, to the present moment — again and again.

That same skill is essential when we’re building something that matters to us, but we’re not yet seeing the results. Whether it’s a business, a career shift, a move abroad, or a new chapter in life… these are all acts of courage. And courage, by nature, involves uncertainty.

It takes no bravery to walk a guaranteed path.
But to stay true to your values, your vision, your sense of what feels right — when the outcome is unclear — that’s a different kind of strength.

Four mindfulness principles that help in uncertainty

Here are four principles from mindfulness that have been invaluable to me — and can make all the difference when you’re navigating the unknown:

1. Impermanence – Everything changes. This moment, however uncomfortable, won’t last forever. Neither will your current success or pleasant sensations. This helps you keep perspective. See the ups and downs as an integral part of the journey.
2. Beginner’s Mind – Let go of the idea that you should already know the answer. Approach your work, career, or challenge as if for the first time, with curiosity rather than judgement.
3. Non-Striving – That's a tough one for me as a businesswoman... Doing less, and being more, can paradoxically create space for clarity and solutions to emerge. Not every moment needs to be about 'pushing forward'.
4. Patience – Growth takes time. Seeds don’t sprout overnight, and rushing them rarely works. The best results come when we allow the process to unfold.

What happens when we can’t hold the unknown

When we’re unable — or unwilling — to sit with uncertainty, we can end up:

• Making rushed decisions just to escape discomfort.
• Abandoning good ideas before they’ve had time to bear fruit.
• Pushing ourselves into burn-out by overworking in an attempt to 'force' results.

I’ve seen this in my own business, and I’ve seen it in clients who jump from job to job or strategy to strategy, never giving themselves the stability to grow. Holding the unknown isn’t always comfortable — but it’s far less costly than the chaos of constant reaction.

A story from the other side

When I stepped down as Chief Executive of the World Fair Trade Organization, I had no clear plan and no certainty about what would come next — or even who I was without that role. I just knew I was exhausted, and that I could no longer see space for myself to grow there.

In the months that followed, I found myself wondering how I could ever become a coach — a role I had absolutely no formal experience in. Would anyone take me seriously? How would others judge my 'success' in moving from a senior, secure position to the uncertainty of entrepreneurship, with its irregular income and unpredictable path?

At first, I felt I should rush into the next job, simply to have an answer when people asked, “So, what’s next?” But deep down, I knew I needed something different — a pause, a moment to rest, and to reconnect with myself.

And when I allowed myself that pause, something shifted. I could breathe again for the first time in a long while. By taking the pressure off to have it all figured out — or to follow some safe, pre-determined path —, I began to sense what was truly important — and to see the possibility of building a career and life more aligned with who I really am.

The beginning still felt awkward and full of unknowns. But looking back, I can see that holding steady in that uncertainty — instead of rushing into the first 'safe' option — was what allowed me to create work I genuinely love today.

Sometimes, the unknown isn’t a gap in your life. It’s the fertile space you need for the next chapter to take shape.

A reframe on timelines

We live in a culture that rewards speed. Quick wins. Fast growth. “Fail fast, move fast.”

But when it comes to building something meaningful — whether that’s a career, a business, or a new life in a different country — the most important milestones don’t always happen on schedule.

Mindfulness teaches us to trust longer timelines. That a lack of instant success is not a verdict on your worth or potential. That there is value in the season of tending to the soil, even before anything blooms.

Try this: A 3-minute 'holding the unknown' pause

Here’s a short practice you can try when uncertainty feels heavy:

1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes.
2. Take three slow, steady breaths. In... Out....
3. Name — silently — what you’re feeling (e.g., “frustration,” “uncertainty,” “hope”).
4. Remind yourself: "This, too, will change".
5. Ask yourself: “If I didn’t need to fix this right now, what might I notice?”
6. For the experts only ;) : Who is doing the noticing and what are they feeling?

You may not leave with an answer — but you’ll often leave with more space to meet whatever is next.

You’re not doing it wrong. You’re just in the middle.

There’s a part of us that wants everything to be clear and linear. How often have I heard my clients say: "When I am 100% sure/clear...."!
But most meaningful journeys aren’t. They involve detours. Stalls. Inner storms.

And yet, what if those moments of apparent 'stuckness' are not signs of failure, but invitations to practise? To stop focusing on doing and return to (human) being?

To return to kindness.
To remember that nothing is permanent.
To trust that your past efforts do count for something — even if you can’t see how yet.
To hold the unknown — not as a void, but as fertile ground.

A quiet reminder — and an invitation

If you're also in a moment where things feel uncertain — where the results haven’t caught up with your efforts, where you’re questioning your path — maybe this is your reminder too:

• You don’t have to have all the answers right now.
• Not knowing is not the same as failing.
• You can choose self-compassion, even when the outcomes are unclear.

But don’t stop there!
If there’s something you’ve been meaning to explore, shift, or ask for support with — take one small action this week. Email someone. Sign up for something. Say the thing out loud. Begin, imperfectly :)

And if it would help to talk things through, I’m here.
I work with international professionals and leaders navigating change, doubt, and growth — and finding ways to align their careers and lives with what truly matters to them. To regain a sense of self-leadership!

💬 Feel free to message me directly or book a free call — no pressure, just a conversation.
Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for yourself… is not to go it alone.