Building a business takes time, requires lots of different skills, has ups and downs, and challenges my belief in me, my abilities and my business on the regular.

It often feels like the things I am doing are not working. I wonder if there is anybody out there that wants what I have to offer. I feel like I am not making any progress towards my goal.

Do ya feel me? Job searching is not that different than building a business.

It can feel like hiking up a mountain while carrying a 50-pound box of wet towels.

It’s hard. It’s draining. It’s uncomfortable. It steals your self-confidence and belief in yourself, your abilities and whether there is even a company out there that wants what you are serving up.

And sometimes, it feels like there’s no end in sight.

There was a point where I was ready to give up on my dream of my coaching business like you might feel like slowing down or pausing your job search is a good idea. I was going to my backup plan and was going back to recruiting. If it wasn’t the almost instantaneous feeling of dread I might have.

Then I figured something out.

One of the things I have had to learn as a CEO of my business is that there are many things that are not in my control.

Being able to recognize what is and is not in my control has been a game-changer for me. It has built my belief in myself, my coaching business and the value I bring to my clients.

So how do you keep moving forward and know you’re making progress—especially when the outcome (landing the job) hasn’t happened yet?

The key is to shift your focus from what’s outside of your control to what’s within it.

Step 1: Identify What Is in Your Control

Here are some examples of actions you can control in your job search:

• How many jobs you apply to each week
• How many days you dedicate to job search activities
• How many people you connect with on LinkedIn
• The number of networking events you attend
• When and how you engage with job search tasks
• How often you comment on LinkedIn posts or share relevant content
• How many people you’ve told about your job search
• How you’ve set up your job search workspace
• How well you’re taking care of your physical and mental health
• What classes or skill-building activities you pursue
• Whether you’re showing up consistently in your search
• #1 – What you’re thinking and believing as you search

Step 2: Acknowledge What’s Not in Your Control

Here’s what you can’t control:

• The number of open jobs that match your qualifications
• The state of the economy or job market
• If—or when—someone replies to your outreach
• The political climate affecting hiring
• The fact that you do not have an MBA or that sexy tech skill (yet)
• When (or if) an offer will come through
• How transparent a company is about their process
• Other people!

Step 3: Take Action on What Is in Your Control

When your energy dips or your thoughts start to spiral, ask yourself:

“Have I done everything I can do today that’s within my control?”

If the answer is no, pull out your list—and pick one thing to take action on.

The Golden Rule of Job Searching: Consistency Wins the Game

If you’re taking consistent action and consistently managing your mindset, you will see results over time.

Consistency lets you:

• Track what’s working (and what’s not)
• Build momentum
• Feel in control, even when the outcome isn’t immediate
• Consistency = WHEN, Inconsistency = IF

If you haven’t created a consistent schedule for job search activities, it’s no longer a matter of when you’ll apply or network—but if you’ll do it at all.

And if leads to decision fatigue, missed opportunities, and slower progress.

Here’s Your Next Step

Make your two lists:

✅ Everything within your control

❌ Everything outside of it

Then commit—daily, not perfectly—to focusing on what you can do.

Because even if the job hasn’t arrived yet, every consistent action you take brings it one step closer.

Your job search doesn’t need you to control the outcomes—it’s just asks that you consistently show up and do what is in your control.