When I read Peter Thal Larsen’s "Risk and Resilience Are the Watchwords for 2025," it struck a chord—but also raised questions. Larsen paints a picture of a world battered yet standing, economies surprisingly resilient despite years of turmoil. But as I thought about it more, I couldn’t shake the feeling: are these concerns really enough? Are they the ones keeping you and me awake at night as we step into 2025?
Let me tell you how I see it.
Resilience Isn’t Just a Buzzword
Resilience gets thrown around a lot. We talk about it like it’s some magic shield, as if enduring is the same as thriving. But here’s the thing—what good is resilience if all it does is keep us stuck in survival mode?
Take my own experience. A few years ago, when the pandemic turned everything upside down, I was leading a team of ambitious professionals. Overnight, our plans were shredded, our stability gone. But what struck me wasn’t just the challenges we faced—it was how different people responded. Some clung to what they knew, hoping to ride it out. Others saw it as a reset, a chance to ask, What’s next?
And maybe that’s where my worry about 2025 comes from. It’s not whether we’ll survive more turbulence—it’s whether we’ll use the lessons of these last few years to step forward, instead of just bouncing back to where we were.
The Elephant in the Room: Uncertainty
Larsen talks about Trump’s return and his unpredictability as a key anxiety for 2025. And I get it. Whether you’re a business leader or someone just trying to keep their career on track, uncertainty is exhausting.
But let’s be honest: Trump is just one part of a much bigger picture. We’ve all felt it—this nagging instability, like the rules we grew up with no longer apply. Economies fluctuate wildly, industries transform overnight, and the job market? Well, it’s a jungle.
Last year, I worked with someone—a talented UI designer and a mother—trying to break into remote work. She kept asking me, “Why would they choose me over someone local?” That question was rooted in fear, but also in a deep uncertainty about her place in the world. It’s not just Trump or interest rates causing this—it’s the shifting ground under all of us, making us wonder: Where do I stand?
AI and the Future of Work: A Double-Edged Sword
Larsen highlights the billions being poured into AI, with tech giants betting big on its potential. And as someone who works closely with software engineers, I can tell you, this isn’t just a corporate game. It’s deeply personal.
I’ve seen engineers pour their hearts into upskilling, learning AI tools, only to feel like they’re still playing catch-up. And then there are those quiet fears no one says out loud: Will I still have a job when this tech takes over?
For me, AI isn’t just about opportunity or threat—it’s about choice. How do we choose to position ourselves in this new landscape? I’ve told countless people: Focus on what AI can’t do. Show your value as a human being—a thinker, a problem solver, someone who brings insight and creativity to the table.
And yet, even as I say it, I feel the tension. It’s not easy to swim in these waters when the currents change every day.
My Personal Concerns for 2025
So, what keeps me up at night as we step into this year? It’s not just the macro-level risks Larsen outlines—it’s the deeply human ones.
I worry about the people trying to build careers in a world that feels like quicksand. The ones who’ve been told to "be resilient" but have no map for what that looks like. I think about the mother trying to balance learning new skills with raising her child, or the mid-career professional wondering if it’s too late to pivot.
And I think about myself. I’ve learned a lot in the past few years—about adaptability, about navigating uncertainty—but even now, there are moments when I pause and think, Am I doing enough to prepare for what’s next?
How I’m Approaching 2025
For me, 2025 isn’t just about resilience—it’s about intentionality. I’ve stopped trying to predict what’s coming. Instead, I focus on what I can control: building skills, strengthening relationships, and staying curious.
I remind myself—and the people I mentor—that it’s okay not to have all the answers. What matters is showing up, every day, ready to learn, ready to pivot, and yes, ready to take risks. Because if there’s one thing these past years have taught us, it’s this: Fortune really does favor the bold.
So, if you’re reading this and feeling overwhelmed by all the talk of risks, resilience, and uncertainties, let me say this: Start small. Ask yourself what you can do today to build the future you want. The world will keep throwing curveballs, but you don’t have to face them unprepared.
Conclusion: Risk and Resilience with a Purpose
Larsen’s article is a great starting point, but it only scratches the surface of what 2025 will demand of us. Yes, resilience matters. But so does purpose, and so does taking action—even when the path ahead isn’t clear.
For me, this year is about more than just staying afloat. It’s about creating a life—and a career—that feels meaningful, no matter what risks come my way.
And for you? I hope it’s the year you stop just surviving and start thriving. Because if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that we’re all stronger—and more adaptable—than we think.
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