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From Surviving to Designing
Survival Mode Is Costing You More Than You Think.
Glen Patterson
October 28, 2025
As Peter Drucker said: “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
Most professionals don’t have a career, they have a paycheck.
They wake up, go to work, complete tasks, repeat. They’re surviving the week, not building a future.
But the people who rise – who build options, command offers, and shape their careers intentionally – think and operate differently. They don’t react to work they design where their work is taking them.
Why Mindset Makes the Difference
Before any promotion, any salary jump, or any pivot, there is a mindset shift first.
You cannot build a strategic career with a survival mindset.
Survival mindsets ask:
“How do I keep my job?”
Design mindsets ask:
“How do I use this job to build my next move?”
The difference is not effort, it’s perspective.
Here are 5 Mindset Shifts That Move You From Worker to Career Designer
1) From Doing Tasks → To Creating Value
Survivors complete assignments.
Designers ask: “What impact am I creating?”
2) From Waiting for Opportunities → To Asking for and Creating Them
Survivors wait to be noticed.
Designers pitch ideas, volunteer, and initiate.
3) From Job Identity → To Skill and Identity Portfolio
Survivors define themselves by titles.
Designers build transferable skills that outlive any job.
4) From Avoiding Risk → To Taking Calculated Bets
Survivors optimize for safety.
Designers optimize for growth even if it feels uncomfortable.
5) From “Work Is My Path” → To “I Design the Path”
Survivors believe the company controls their career.
Designers build leverage: network, reputation, side income, capability.
Start Designing Your Career Today
Take these steps to shift out of survival mode:
✅ Choose one skill to build that makes you more valuable in 12 months (AI literacy, storytelling, leadership, product thinking, etc.)
✅ Schedule one strategic career action each week (networking chat, ask for feedback, pitch a project, post thought leadership)
✅ Document progress and wins — proof builds confidence, confidence drives momentum
Jobs
The New Payment System.
Onsite or remote • New York City • Remote (Everywhere)
Manychat.
Onsite or remote • New York City • Remote (Everywhere)
Austin
Palo Alto
New York City
Barcelona
Find your North Star.
Stay positive. Stay focused. Keep learning. Stay connected.
Thank you for being a part of our community. We look forward to bringing you more valuable insights and resources in the future.