The Waiting Room

Hello there. Molweni, Molweni :)

In last week’s post, I shared some thoughts on pivoting in your career. But one blog post can’t capture the full depth of what a pivot truly involves, especially not the moments of frustration, doubt, and emotional strain that often accompany it. That’s exactly why these conversations matter. Career changes don’t just happen, and they’re rarely as seamless as they might appear online. I never want to give the illusion that navigating your career, especially through major shifts, is easy. One of the biggest issues with sharing experiences online is that we rarely get the full picture. Most people don't document the lows, and understandably so. I’m not here to encourage oversharing, but I am here to create space for honesty. Because whether you’ve just finished school and are struggling to land your first job, recently left or lost a job, or are sitting in a role you’ve outgrown, that “in-between” season can feel overwhelming. It can bring frustration, anxiety, low morale, and at times, deep discouragement. I call this space The Waiting Room. You can’t skip it but you can learn to navigate it. So let’s talk about how to deal with the discomfort of being stuck between your now and your next.

When we find ourselves in the waiting room, most of us just want to wish it away. If it were up to us, we’d skip the entire experience altogether. I found myself in the waiting room for some time and it was not an easy period to navigate. I’ll be honest, God was probably tired of hearing the same prayer from me every day 😂. In that season, all I wanted was for someone to wave a magic wand and teleport me to the next chapter of my life. I can laugh about it now, but at the time, it was no joke. That season was marked by intense anxiety, and if I’m being completely transparent, I was functioning on the outside but quietly battling depression on the inside. I had done everything right in my role. I had accomplished what I set out to do, proved myself in every way that mattered to me, and I was ready, deeply ready, for my next opportunity. But it wasn’t coming. What made it even more frustrating was the contradiction I was living in: professionally, I was thriving, even excelling. But emotionally, mentally, and physically, I was unraveling. That kind of dissonance can be exhausting. And in those moments, it’s tempting to give up; to show up, do the bare minimum, and shut down emotionally just to get through the day. While that reaction might feel like a form of self-protection (and sometimes, a necessary survival strategy), it may not serve you in the long run. That’s why it’s so important to understand the role of the waiting room; not as wasted time, but as preparation.

The waiting room is a training ground. A place where your mindset, discipline, and character are shaped. You have to choose to wait proactively. What that looks like will vary depending on your situation. If you’re still employed but actively looking for your next opportunity, commit to maintaining high standards in your current role; not for recognition, but out of integrity. You’re still being paid, still trusted with responsibilities, and how you finish matters. Your professional brand is being built every day, even when it feels like no one’s watching. One reason I never dropped my standard of work, even after I had decided to move on, was because I had come to understand that my work ethic wasn’t performative. It wasn’t about applause or visibility. It was simply how I work. That mindset has become one of the most valuable tools I carry into every new chapter. It also ensures that when you do leave, you leave well; with respect, a good reputation, and relationships that can support you later on. You never know when you’ll need to tap into that professional network again. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Don’t burn bridges” and that advice holds true in the workplace as well😊.

If you’re in-between jobs or waiting to land your first one, use this season intentionally. Start by getting clear on what you want next. Without clarity, it’s hard to make progress. Take the time to map it out. Once you have a vision, ask yourself: What do I need to learn or develop to get there? Focus on technical skills, yes, but also pay attention to soft skills. These matter just as much. Then, build an actionable plan. What can you do weekly, monthly, or even quarterly to move closer to your goal? It won’t all unfold at once. In fact, many breakthroughs don’t happen as a single, dramatic moment. They often come in quiet, incremental steps, moments that don’t seem significant until you look back and see how they built the bridge to your next chapter. That’s why it’s so important that your opportunity finds you doing. Not everything you do in this season will directly connect to your next role, but trust me, it will matter to the bigger picture (hindsight often reveals it).

The truth is, waiting seasons are a natural, and sometimes necessary part of life. We will all find ourselves in them more than once, whether in our careers, relationships, or personal growth. The key is not to avoid them, but to develop the tools to navigate them well. The Waiting Room may feel frustrating, but it’s also a space where clarity, character, and direction can be shaped; if you let it. Just don’t make the mistake of settling there. You weren’t meant to live in the waiting room; you’re just passing through. So reflect, yes, acknowledge where you are and how you feel but don’t stop there. Ask yourself what you can do while you wait. What habits can you build? What skills can you sharpen? What mindset do you need to develop for where you’re going? Progress doesn’t always look loud or fast; sometimes, it looks like quiet consistency. Take the next small step, however imperfect, and keep moving forward. Your future self will thank you.

Have an intentional and blessed week.

Lots of love,

Zizo