The Freedom In Pivoting: Rerouting Doesn't Mean Quitting!
I’m not quite sure where I first heard the term “Pivoting”, but I like it. I know on the “Great Girlfriends” pod cast, they use this word “Pivoting” often. When I heard them use it, it was in the context of making changes in a career. They don’t know, but this word added so much freedom in my thinking about career changes or rerouting, it gave me flexibility in my head.
I played basketball in high school and a “Pivot” was simply that, a change in direction. When I modeled in college we used the term “Pivot” and again a change in direction. It doesn’t mean the change is huge, but it can be a slight change. A “Pivot” can win a game, add attitude to a walk. In addition a “Pivot” can give you time to slow down to see what’s next. So why not make a “Pivot” in your career? For me there has always been some form of stress or careful decision-making when it came to a change in my career. I don’t know why, God always provides for me. My family is always supportive, but for some reason it’s not an easy decision for me to make a change when it comes to my career. When I left the pharmaceutical industry I remember stressing over the decision to leave. I was trying to figure out what the outcome would be and thinking about what I thought my responsibilities were and wondering how I was going to take care of them. Was I making the right decision, constantly ran through my mind. I remember talking to my grandmother about it and she said that I needed to live my life and not worry about anybody or everything else. Her words were so comforting and gave me the confidence to leave Corporate America.
A change in career to me sometimes says I didn’t finish what I originally started and the way I’m built, I must finish what I started. It’s a little silly when I think about it. If I got a promotion to a new position I wouldn’t feel that way. So why is it so hard to make a “Pivot” when it comes to entertainment? I questioned myself on that many times. The truth is, it makes me feel like a quitter, like I wasn’t being a person of my word. The interesting thing is that I have many things that I want to do or that I’m currently doing within that industry, but because my nature is very rigid/structured when it comes to how I think my life in the entertainment industry should unfold. I struggle with pivoting, I have to give myself permission to change my mind or make a detour. Silly I know, because in the entertainment industry you need to be fluid. Especially now when as an actress you also need to be your own writer and producer. Also you have to think of different ways to have multiple streams of income. The truth is many successful entertainers have pivoted many times in their career and they wear many hats.
As I stated earlier the word “Pivot”, has given me so much power, flexibility. It’s a work in progress to give myself permission, but I’m doing it. I don’t see pivoting as being a flake or quitting anymore, I now see it as opening up my opportunities and listening to the direction God is leading me. So I want to thank the “Great Girlfriends” for their pod cast on “Pivoting”. I also want to encourage anyone else who is out there and may be like me and is a little rigid or hold himself or herself extremely accountable for everything they said they were going to do. It is ok, give your self-permission, free yourself of the boundaries you have placed on yourself. I promise everything you will learn or go through in your “Pivot” is for a greater destiny. Greater than what you could have ever planned for yourself. Just stay connected to God and trust that he is leading you.
Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.