Blog · 2026-10-20
How to Stay Steady Through the Next Few Years of AI
Preparing for change is wise, but preparing out of panic usually backfires. The steadiest people in uncertain times tend to do three things well: they take a few sensible practical steps, they build their sense of self on character rather than a job title, and they invest in their relationships. You can do all three without letting fear run your life.
A survival guide, and what sits underneath it
This week I watched a YouTube video called "How to Survive the Next 2 Years of AI" by Nick Saraev. He runs a business that helps companies use AI, so he spends his days close to this technology. His video is a quick, confident rundown of what he sees coming and what he would do about it.
He breaks the risks into three groups. In the short term, he talks about physical and digital security. He suggests keeping about two weeks of food and water on hand, some cash, a first aid kit, and stronger account security. In the middle term, he focuses on jobs and income. He encourages people to try AI tools on their own work, to own something rather than relying only on a paycheck, to build a network, and to consider work that involves the physical world. In the long term, he talks about beliefs and identity.
I want to be clear about what this video is. It's one entrepreneur's opinion, shared in a fast and fairly dramatic style. Some of his predictions are big and hard to check, and his money tips come with his own warning that they aren't financial advice. I'm not a tech forecaster or a financial planner, so I won't weigh in on those parts.
What caught my attention as a counselor was his closing message. After all the talk of risks, he lands on two very human ideas. First, your identity is not your job. As he puts it, "Define yourself by the beliefs, principles, and thoughts that you have." Second, invest in people. He says that "people with strong relationships do better" in every scenario he can imagine. I've seen that play out in my office again and again.
What the research actually shows about jobs
The video mentions a Stanford study, and I looked it up because numbers about jobs can stir up a lot of fear. The Stanford Digital Economy Lab tracks payroll data, and its August 2026 update found that employment for workers ages 22 to 25 in the jobs most exposed to AI was about 19 percent below where it would be if it had kept pace with less exposed jobs.
That is a real concern, especially for young adults starting out. But the same report also says the researchers "do not see widespread, economy-wide job displacement associated with AI." They found no similar gap for experienced workers. The change shows up mostly as fewer new hires, not as mass layoffs. The authors also say they cannot yet prove how much of it is caused by AI.
I share this not to dismiss anyone's worry but to put it in proportion. Anxiety loves the scariest version of a story. A clearer picture usually helps you act with more calm and better judgment.
Healthy preparation versus anxious preparation
There's a difference between preparing and spiraling. Healthy preparation has a clear end point. You take reasonable steps, and then you return to your life. Anxious preparation never feels finished. There's always one more headline to read, one more scenario to plan for, one more thing to fear.
Here are some signs that worry may be steering the ship:
- You check AI or economic news many times a day and feel worse each time.
- You're losing sleep running through worst-case scenarios.
- You feel pressure to make big, fast money or career decisions out of fear.
- You've become short-tempered with your spouse, your kids, or your coworkers.
That last one matters. In my work with anger, I often see that irritability is fear in disguise. When a man feels his job, his income, or his role as a provider is under threat, he may not say "I'm scared." Instead, he snaps. Naming the worry underneath the anger is often the first step to calming it.
Practical tools for staying steady
Here are some tools I use with clients, drawn from mindfulness-based CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy, often called ACT.
1. Prepare once, then let it rest. If a few basic steps would give you peace of mind, such as a little extra food and water or stronger passwords, make a short list, take care of it, and cross it off. Then remind yourself that you've done your part.
2. Notice the "what if" spiral. When your mind jumps to disaster, pause and name it: "I'm having the thought that everything will collapse." That small shift helps you see a thought as a thought, not a fact. Then bring yourself back to the present with a few slow breaths or by noticing what you can see and hear around you.
3. Separate what you can control from what you can't. Draw two columns. In one, list what's in your hands: your skills, your effort, your spending, how you treat people. In the other, list what isn't: the pace of technology, the economy, the headlines. Put your energy into the first column.
4. Build your identity on your values. Nick asks a great question: What kind of person are you really? Are you curious? A caretaker? Someone who loves solving hard problems? Values like honesty, patience, and courage don't get automated. When your sense of worth rests on who you are, a job change becomes hard, but it doesn't erase you.
5. Learn with curiosity, not dread. Trying new tools or skills can lower anxiety, because the unknown becomes more familiar. Approach it like an experiment, not a test you're afraid of failing.
6. Invest in your relationships on purpose. Call a friend you've drifted from. Learn your neighbors' names. Put the phone away at dinner. Repair a conflict you've been avoiding. Strong relationships help you weather hard seasons, and they make good seasons richer too.
How counseling can help
Sometimes it's hard to calm worry on your own, especially when the headlines keep coming. Counseling offers a steady place to sort through what you're feeling and decide how you want to respond.
In my office, we can work on the anxiety that keeps your mind racing at night. If stress is coming out as anger or irritability, we can build practical skills to cool down and communicate in ways you won't regret. If your identity has been closely tied to your work, we can explore what gives your life meaning beyond your job title. And if your marriage or family is feeling the strain, we can work on staying connected while you face change together.
Counseling can't tell you what the next two years will bring. It can help you meet them with a clearer head and a steadier heart.
Moving forward with your feet on the ground
Nobody knows exactly how fast AI will change our world. But the people who handle change best usually aren't the ones with the most supplies or the boldest predictions. They're the ones who know who they are, keep their worry in proportion, and have people around them.
If you're in Franklin or anywhere in Williamson County and you'd like support finding your footing, I'd be glad to help.
Frequently asked questions
Is it normal to feel anxious about AI and my job?
Yes. Big changes with an unclear outcome are stressful for almost everyone. The goal isn't to stop caring. It's to keep worry from running your decisions and your days.
How do I know if I'm preparing or just feeding my anxiety?
Healthy preparation has an end point and leaves you feeling calmer. Anxious preparation never feels complete and often leaves you more on edge. If you keep checking, planning, and worrying without relief, worry may be in charge.
Why am I more irritable when I think about the future of my career?
For many people, especially men, work is closely tied to a sense of worth and the role of provider. When that feels threatened, fear can come out as anger. Recognizing that link can help you respond more calmly.
Can counseling help with worries about technology and the economy?
Yes. Counseling won't change the economy, but it can help you manage anxiety, handle anger, strengthen your relationships, and focus on what you can control.
This post is for general information only and is not therapy, medical advice, or financial advice. If you are in crisis, call or text 988 or call 911.
Research: Stanford Digital Economy Lab, "No Widespread Displacement, but the AI Employment Gap for Young Workers Has Widened to 19%" (August 2026).
Source: Nick Saraev, "How to Survive the Next 2 Years of AI" (YouTube, Oct 15, 2026)
Related at Navigate Life Counseling: anxiety counseling in Franklin, TN.