Navigating an Uncertain Economy with Power and Grace By Brett Baughman

There’s no sugarcoating it,  we’re in a season of uncertainty. From Wall Street to Main Street, the landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Economic growth is slowing, inflation remains sticky in certain sectors, and consumer behavior is unpredictable. Entrepreneurs, founders, and executives are being asked to lead through what feels like fog, all while maintaining clarity, confidence, and performance.

Recent data from the American Psychological Association shows that more than 70% of adults report feeling significant financial stress, and 68% say the economy is a top source of anxiety. In the entrepreneurial space, this pressure is amplified. Decision fatigue, burnout, and emotional reactivity are becoming more common  and they’re costing businesses more than just peace of mind.

But here’s the truth: how you lead in uncertainty defines the future you create. The greats don’t just survive seasons like this — they grow. And they do it by learning to navigate pressure with power and grace.

Let’s break this down.

Pressure Is Inevitable. Performance Is a Choice.

When the markets shift, when cash flow dips, or when your clients pull back — your nervous system kicks into survival mode. Fight, flight, freeze. This is biology. But if you live in that state, you’ll start reacting instead of responding. And reactionary leadership is expensive.

In these moments, it’s not your strategy that will save you — it’s your state.

You need to become the calm in the storm — the steady hand on the wheel. And that begins with a simple mindset shift: You don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your habits.

So the question becomes: What habits are helping you lead with clarity and strength right now?

If you want to make better decisions under pressure, you need a practice that resets your nervous system, activates your intuition, and aligns your actions with your highest values. Here’s a powerful three-step process I teach my clients — and it works.

Step 1: The Breath Break — Reset Your Nervous System

Before you send that email, schedule that meeting, or make a high-stakes decision — pause.

Close your eyes. Inhale slowly through your nose for 4 seconds. Hold for 7 seconds. Exhale through your mouth for 8 seconds.

Do this 3 times. (Yes, just 3.)

This is known as the 4-7-8 breath, and it signals to your brain and body: You are safe. You are in control. Within seconds, it reduces cortisol, activates your parasympathetic nervous system, and brings your prefrontal cortex — the decision-making center — back online.

Step 2: Ask the Power Question — Shift Your Perspective

Now that you’re calm, ask yourself:
“What is the most powerful move I can make right now?”

Not the most comfortable. Not the most popular. The most powerful — the one that aligns with your integrity, your mission, and the impact you’re here to make.This question cuts through fear and brings you back to purpose.

Step 3: Take Aligned Action — Momentum Over Perfection

Once you’ve identified the move — make it.

Not perfectly. Not when the stars align. Now.

Text the client. Send the proposal. Speak your truth. Build the system. Launch the product.

The key to thriving in chaos is momentum. And momentum comes from consistent, aligned action — not waiting for the perfect time.

What the World Needs Now: Grounded Leaders

Look, anyone can lead when it’s easy. But when the economy tightens, when pressure rises, and when certainty vanishes — that’s when real leaders emerge.

And the ones who rise are the ones who have trained for it.

They’ve built their routines. Strengthened their mindset. Rooted their power in something deeper than quarterly numbers. They’ve learned to lead from faith, not fear. From vision, not validation.

So here’s your reminder: You don’t have to fight the storm. You can become the lighthouse.

Slow down. Breathe. Ask the powerful question. Then take the next step. The market might be uncertain, but your clarity doesn’t have to be.

Your ability to grow right now — in this economy, in this moment — isn’t about what’s happening out there.

It’s about what you choose to do in here.

Remember: Extraordinary is only a thought away.