If you’ve ever packed up your life and moved to a new city, country, or even just a different neighborhood, you know the feeling: that mix of excitement and anxiety, the thrill of new beginnings intertwined with the uncertainty of the unknown. Moving is one of the most significant life changes we can experience, and it’s a perfect example of how VUCA—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity—can show up in our everyday lives.

We often think of VUCA in the context of global crises, but it’s just as relevant on a personal scale. Relocating introduces a whirlwind of change that can leave us feeling disoriented, emotionally drained, and unsure of what comes next. But it can also be an opportunity to grow, adapt, and build resilience.

In this post, we’ll explore the VUCA of relocation, why it feels so challenging, and how you can not only survive but thrive when faced with a new environment.

When we hear the term VUCA, it often conjures images of large-scale crises—global events like wars, pandemics, or natural disasters. These are the big, headline-grabbing situations where everything feels volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. But here's the thing: VUCA isn't just about global chaos. It’s also a part of our everyday lives, whether we realize it or not.

As Javier and I reflect on our journey of writing Mindset Wizardry, we both agree that having the right partner made all the difference. This is the seventh and final post in our series of lessons learned from writing our first book, and today we want to emphasize the importance of finding a great partner when writing and publishing a book.

Writing Mindset Wizardry was a learning process filled with trial and error. Both Javier and I had plenty of experience writing reports, proposals, training, and presentations throughout our careers, but writing a book? That was an entirely different challenge.

There are so many steps involved in publishing a book, especially when you’re doing it independently. Unlike with traditional publishers, self-publishing requires you to manage every piece of the puzzle, from writing and editing to design and formatting. After some research, we realized that while we could do many of these tasks ourselves, it didn’t mean we should.

When Javier and I set out to write Mindset Wizardry, we were navigating uncharted waters. Neither of us had written or published a book before, and while we were confident in our ideas, the process of turning those ideas into a book was a bit overwhelming. One of the best decisions we made early on was reaching out to other authors—both traditionally published and self-published—to learn from their experiences.

We quickly realized that while there are many resources available about writing and publishing, there’s nothing quite like hearing first-hand accounts from people who have already been through the process. Every author we spoke to had a unique experience, but each one offered valuable insights that helped us avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions.

Writing a book is a deeply personal and often solitary endeavor, but one of the key lessons Javier and I learned while working on Mindset Wizardry is that feedback from trusted sources is invaluable. Whether it’s during the research phase, the writing process, or the post-editing stage, having a fresh set of eyes on your work can make all the difference.

In this fourth post in the series, we will talk about the value of feedback in the writing process.

One of the greatest tools I’ve always leaned on, whether in coaching conversations or in my own personal learning, is the power of storytelling. Stories have a unique ability to cut through the noise, making complex ideas feel relatable and real. It was no different when Javier and I were writing Mindset Wizardry: The Magic Behind Thriving in a VUCA World—we knew that to make our message resonate, we needed to weave in compelling stories.

This blog post is the third in our series about the key lessons we learned while writing our book. Today’s lesson focuses on The Power of Stories—how we used storytelling to turn what could have been a dry, theoretical book into something more engaging and memorable.

This blog post is the second in a series where we’re sharing some of the key lessons we learned throughout the writing and publishing process. Today, we’ll talk about Lesson #2: From Structure to Success: The Power of an Adaptable Outline.

When you begin a project as complex as writing a book, especially one with the scope of Mindset Wizardry, an outline is essential. It helps you organize your thoughts, set a roadmap for the content, and gives you a clear sense of direction. For us, it was like the skeleton on which we could later build the flesh of our ideas. It provided a sense of control over a massive amount of material, keeping us from getting lost in the chaos of information.

Three years ago, Javier and I embarked on a journey that would challenge us in ways we didn’t expect—writing our book, Mindset Wizardry: The Magic Behind Thriving in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) World. The process was a rollercoaster of excitement, learning, and, yes, we were a little bit overwhelmed. As we immersed ourselves in the research, we realized just how crucial it was to structure our approach thoughtfully.

Over the next several weeks, I’ll be sharing some key lessons we learned during the writing and publishing of our book. This blog series builds on some content we posted previously, but with more depth and reflection on what it truly took to bring Mindset Wizardry to life. Today, we’re starting with Lesson #1: Our Crowdsourcing Secret.

Yesterday, I found myself in the midst of a personal VUCA storm. You know those moments: Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous—the kind of whirlwind where chaos reigns, and control slips through your fingers. This time, the storm took the form of a dying PC that finally decided it had done enough. In the grand scheme of things, this was a small storm, but I thought I’d write about it anyway.

Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. For me, the latest twist came in early July, as I was preparing to move into my new home. Freshly back from Brazil and temporarily staying at my brother's place in New Hampshire, I faced the task of transporting my five furry companions—three cats and two dogs—to my new house. With pet transport services priced sky-high during the summer, I knew I had only one option: to take on this journey myself.

If you follow us on social media and read our blog, you know that I have spent the last couple of years living through my own VUCA experience, moving to Brazil and back to the US. On many days, I felt like I was living with a VUCA hurricane, not a simple storm. I had to put everything we wrote in our book, Mindset Wizardry: The Magic Behind Thriving in a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous (VUCA) World, into practice. Today, I’d like to talk about one remedy that I have found helpful as I regain my inner peace.

During my family’s recent visit to the breathtaking Glacier National Park, I was reminded of the incredible power of nature to reduce stress, restore balance, and spark creativity.

Change often comes with a mix of excitement and uncertainty. My niece recently graduated from Miami University and moved out of her college apartment, preparing for the adventure of graduate school. In the process, her car became a snapshot of life's quirky moments—a doll head and a disco ball among her belongings hiding in the back seat.

This got me thinking about how these objects are a metaphor for transitions and new beginnings. I know, it’s a leap, but hear me out on this one.

If you’ve been following our blog, you know that I’ve been living in a VUCA world for the last year and a half. VUCA—Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous—is the perfect acronym to describe the whirlwind of unpredictability I experienced. My return to the US from Brazil has brought an unexpected sense of calm. I’m no longer under constant stress; I can think clearly and focus. However, as I start making significant life decisions, like figuring out where to live, I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. This feeling is common when emerging from a VUCA storm. Being in crisis mode becomes such an automatic response that our minds struggle to adapt to a newfound sense of stability.

Read today’s blog to understand the three signs that your mind hasn’t caught up with your new, calmer reality. You will also learn about how you can shift your mindset to recognize what's happening and stay in a more normal, productive state.

Embracing New Beginnings: Navigating the Transition after Extreme Change

Change is often a double-edged sword, bringing an end to what we know while offering the promise of new beginnings. As we navigate through life's unpredictable twists and turns, understanding how to embrace these transitions is crucial. In this blog post, we'll explore the emotional journey of change, how our mindset shifts, and a few practical strategies for embracing new beginnings. Let’s dive in by exploring a real-life example that highlights the chaos and subsequent growth that comes with major life changes.

In today's dynamic business landscape, volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) have become the new norm. Adapting to this ever-shifting environment is essential for survival and success. However, amidst the relentless barrage of challenges, it's not uncommon to find ourselves becoming desensitized to the constant whirlwind of change.

I have found myself in this place many times over the past year and wanted to share a few tips.

I’m sure you've probably experienced those moments when life throws you a curveball, leaving you feeling like you're navigating through a maze blindfolded. But what if I told you that amidst the chaos, there's a way to find your calm? In today’s blog, we'll explore how making tough decisions in the face of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) can actually bring a sense of clarity and peace.

I was at a party recently and my attention was drawn to a curious sight – strange, mutant-looking fruits that seemed plucked from another planet. Their bizarre shapes and peculiar textures intrigued me to take a closer look.

Despite their unconventional appearance, these fruits were deliciously sweet with a flavor that was unlike anything I had experienced. In a world filled with the comfort of the familiar, it's easy to overlook the beauty of the unknown.

In the stormy seas of organizational transformation, trust stands as the sturdy vessel that carries teams through tumultuous waters. As a seasoned HR consultant witnessing firsthand the challenges of organizations undergoing radical change, I've come to appreciate the pivotal role trust plays in such turbulent times. This week, I draw inspiration from a client who embodies the essence of trust-building amidst chaos.

When the ground beneath our feet seems to shift with alarming frequency, it's natural for individuals within an organization to experience fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Amidst layoffs, restructuring, acquisitions, or strategic shifts, employees look to their leaders not only for guidance but for reassurance. Trust acts as the adhesive that binds teams together, fostering resilience, and galvanizing collective efforts towards common goals.

Today’s blog was inspired by observing a CHRO client as he guides his team through volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA).

Today, we will embark on a journey filled with twists and turns, and a touch of reptilian mischief. Picture this: a cozy living room, three curious pets, and a dash of paranoia – a recipe for comedic chaos, wouldn’t you agree?

It all started with a harmless glance at what seemed to be a serpent lurking in the shadows of the living room sofa. Cue the canine detectives and their feline sidekick, sniffing their way through the mystery like furry detectives. My husband was away on a business trip, so I had no choice but to confront this scaly specter on my own.