Ready to Pivot? Pause First
When you start feeling the urgency of a pivot, your first instinct might be to start looking and applying for jobs.
I get it. I actually think looking and applying for jobs can provide great clarity. When you’re intentional and embodied in applying for new jobs, you can really learn a lot about who you are and who you truly want to become.
But then there’s also the less intentional version. In the early days of return to work after COVID lockdowns, I saw a lot of people jump from one frying pan to another. Ouch. Not only did that leave them grieving the career they left but then also grieving and dealing with regrets.
I think some of that urgency and applying came about to try to avoid the more internal and existential discomfort they felt (which was often compounded by toxic work environments and colleagues).
You may be in a similar place right now–feeling the urgency of pivoting your career. Instead of immediately starting the job search, work through these steps first:
Pause and Reflect: Slow down and tune in to what’s really driving this urgency. Take time to identify whether you’re running from something or moving toward something. What do you want more of in your career—and what do you want to leave behind?
Honor Your Career Grief: The feeling that something’s missing or broken often has roots in unmet expectations or dreams that didn’t pan out. Take time to honor this grief before acting. What parts of your past roles brought disappointment? What hopes feel left behind? Recognizing these can give you a clearer sense of what needs to change.
Reconnect to Your Values and Identity: A pivot isn’t just about the job; it’s about who you want to become. Identify the core values and passions that shape your identity. What kind of work genuinely resonates with my values and sense of purpose?
Build Embodied Resilience: Job changes are taxing. Practice body-based techniques to stay grounded and reduce reactivity so that you grow your window of tolerance. Learning how to rebuild resilience regeneratively will give you the strength to face uncertainty without feeling like you need to leap at every opportunity. What are your strategies for resetting your nervous system? And then what are your strategies to grow your resilience and window of tolerance? These are two different but important parts - one is reactive and one is proactive. You need both.
Create Your Bridge Forward: Rather than impulsively applying to jobs, think of your pivot as building a bridge—one board at a time. Each step should feel intentional and aligned. Who can you do informational interviews with? What’s a good way to explore career paths that align with your values but put you exploring outside the box? Engage in low-stakes ways to test new roles or environments without committing to immediate change.
So before you open up the job boards, try slowing down. The more intentionally you build this bridge, the more confident and grounded you’ll be in your next chapter.
This Friday, I’m holding a free workshop where you’ll learn more about the process I mentor folks through to help them slow down, clarify their values, build their resilience, and map out a path forward. I’d love for you to join us! If you’ve already signed up, then share this with a friend or colleague.
