Pivot

1. Pivoting Is the New Normal: Embrace Change as a Constant

Pivoting, as we will refer to it in this book, is an intentional, methodical process for nimbly navigating career changes.

Adapt or get left behind. In today's rapidly changing economy, career pivots are no longer the exception but the rule. The average employee tenure is now 4-5 years, and many jobs are becoming obsolete due to technological advancements.

Embrace the pivot mindset. Rather than fearing change, successful professionals view pivots as opportunities for growth and innovation. They develop the ability to:

• Identify when it's time for a change
• Leverage existing skills and experiences
• Explore new opportunities methodically
• Take calculated risks to advance their careers

By adopting this mindset, you can transform uncertainty into a competitive advantage, staying agile and relevant in an ever-evolving job market.

2. Plant Your Pivot: Identify Your Values, Strengths, and Vision

Your values create boundaries and benchmarks for big decisions.

Start with self-awareness. Before making any career moves, take time to reflect on your core values, natural strengths, and long-term vision. This foundation will guide all future decisions and ensure your pivot aligns with your authentic self.

Key elements to consider:

• Values: What principles are most important to you?
• Strengths: What skills come naturally and bring you joy?
• Interests: What topics or activities captivate your attention?
• Vision: What does success look like for you in one year? Five years?

Create a compelling vision. Craft a clear, motivating picture of your desired future. This vision will serve as a North Star, helping you stay focused and energized throughout the pivot process. Remember, your vision may evolve as you gain new insights, so remain open to refinement along the way.

3. Scan the Horizon: Explore Options and Build Your Network

Networking. Is there any term that gives more people hives when it comes to career change?

Expand your sphere of influence. Successful pivots rarely happen in isolation. Actively cultivate relationships and expand your network to uncover new opportunities and gain valuable insights.

Effective networking strategies:

• Identify "one-off mentors" for targeted advice
• Join or create mastermind groups for peer support
• Attend industry events and conferences
• Engage in informational interviews
• Leverage social media platforms professionally

Become discoverable. In addition to reaching out, make it easy for opportunities to find you. Develop a personal brand and share your expertise through:

• Writing articles or blog posts
• Speaking at events or webinars
• Creating valuable content on social media
• Contributing to industry publications or forums

By consistently adding value and showcasing your knowledge, you'll attract potential collaborators, mentors, and employers who align with your goals.

4. Pilot Your Ideas: Test Small Experiments to Reduce Risk

Piloting is critical because it gets your momentum snowball started.

Start small and lean. Instead of making dramatic leaps, test your ideas through a series of low-risk experiments. This approach allows you to gather real-world data and refine your direction before committing fully.

Examples of pivot pilots:

• Take on a side project in your area of interest
• Volunteer for a related organization
• Enroll in a relevant course or certification program
• Freelance or consult in your target field
• Create a minimum viable product (MVP) for a business idea

Evaluate and iterate. After each pilot, assess what worked, what didn't, and what you learned. Use this information to adjust your approach and design more targeted experiments. Remember, "failures" are valuable data points that help refine your path forward.

5. Launch with Confidence: Make the Big Move When Ready

Your choice, today and in the future, is to pivot or get pivoted.

Recognize your launch criteria. While there's never a "perfect" time to make a big move, certain indicators can signal you're ready to launch:

• Financial benchmarks (e.g., savings runway, side income)
• Skill development milestones
• Market validation of your idea
• Strong support network in place
• Gut feeling of readiness and excitement

Embrace calculated risk. Launching a pivot will always involve some uncertainty, but by following the previous stages, you've significantly reduced your risk. Trust in the preparation you've done and the resilience you've built.

Separate decisions from difficult conversations. Often, the hardest part of launching is communicating your decision to others. Break this process into steps:

1. Make the decision based on your research and intuition
2. Craft a clear message explaining your choice
3. Choose the right time and setting for important conversations
4. Deliver your message with confidence and empathy
5. Be prepared to address concerns and follow up as needed

Remember, you can't control others' reactions, but you can control how you communicate and respond.

6. Lead Through Pivots: Foster a Culture of Continuous Growth

People leave managers, not companies.

Create a pivot-friendly environment. As a leader, your role is to nurture a culture where pivots are seen as opportunities for growth rather than threats to stability.

Strategies for fostering pivot-friendly leadership:

• Hold regular career conversations separate from performance reviews
• Encourage internal mobility and skill development
• Implement mentorship and reverse mentorship programs
• Celebrate employees who take calculated risks, even if they don't always succeed
• Provide resources and support for personal and professional development

Lead by example. Demonstrate your own willingness to pivot and grow. Share your experiences, both successes and challenges, to inspire and guide others through their own career transitions.

7. Celebrate Complexity: Find Joy in the Journey of Change

Hitting a career plateau is not a problem, nor is it a crisis. It is a captivating knot waiting to be untangled, in exchange for accelerated growth.

Embrace the adventure. Pivoting is not just about reaching a destination; it's about the growth and learning that happen along the way. Approach each challenge as an opportunity to develop new skills, gain fresh perspectives, and discover hidden strengths.

Cultivate resilience. The path of an impacter – someone who prioritizes growth, impact, and continuous learning – is not always smooth. Develop strategies to bounce back from setbacks:

• Practice self-compassion
• Seek support from your network
• Reflect on past successes and lessons learned
• Maintain a growth mindset
• Focus on progress, not perfection

Find meaning in complexity. Rather than becoming overwhelmed by uncertainty, learn to appreciate the richness and possibilities it brings. By embracing change as a constant, you open yourself to a lifetime of growth, discovery, and meaningful impact.

Last updated: October 25, 2024