THE CAREER PIVOT
It’s being called The Great Resignation. Millions of professionals are leaving their jobs, and many more are strongly considering it. Some are just so burnt out that they need a real break. They’re the ones taking a year off to travel the world or live on an exotic beach. Others are disillusioned with the companies they work at for so many reasons and are looking for an employer that more closely aligns with their values. And then there’s my favorite group of professionals taking part in the Big Quit: the ones who have decided to pursue their true passions. They’re quitting in order to start a business, take on an audacious project, or otherwise totally redesign their lifestyle and livelihood. I call it the Passion Pivot.
I’m intimately familiar with the passion pivot. The first time I witnessed it up close and personally was with my mother. Well into her 50’s, my courageous mom went back to school to study occupational therapy with a bunch of kids at least half her age. She sold her house, rented out a MIL unit near the school and trained for two years to become a COTA. This was a huge pivot, to say the least. Prior, she’d had a long career in mortgage banking. When the 2008 recession hit, she was laid off and it looked like lights out for her profession. Many of her colleagues were devastated, but not my mom. The mortgage industry had always been a terrible fit for her. She was passionate about quality, in an industry that had turned towards heavy automation and low human touch. She was open, candid and giving, and therefore totally inept and playing office politics.
The industry meltdown was an important opportunity for her to evaluate her strengths and passions, and choose a career that fit those. Instead of letting it choose her. She’s creative and playful. She comes alive when serving and connecting with others. The healthcare setting was a perfect fit for her, and working within it, she just blossomed. She could go to work and be entirely herself. She enjoyed her patients and came home tired but happy. My mom found her passion and never looked back.
Many years later, I followed my mom’s example with a passion pivot of my own. Like her, I didn’t really choose my first career. It happened mostly by chance and circumstance, at a time in my life where I was still figuring out who I was. Who really knows in their twenties? I stumbled into corporate HR and hung out there for more than 15 years. I was heads down, working my way up the ladder. I didn’t have time to think much about whether this was the right ladder, or even whether I actually wanted what was at the top of it. When I got to the top and looked down, I thought wow, this really sucks. I wasn’t laid off; I was disillusioned and totally burnt out.
My pivot was to take up the career that I had been dreaming about for nearly a decade, and always thought had to be later down the road. I decided to become a coach. I knew that it was time to pursue my passion for supporting women in leadership and that I never wanted to work for anyone else. Ever. Again. What I found in that pursuit was work that didn’t feel like work at all. It felt like joy and connection, things that I never even thought to expect of my career. My passion pivot was one of the very best decisions I’ve ever made.
I’m very happy to be in a position today to help others with their passion pivot. It’s inspiring to witness and support women who are no longer resigned to a career that feels meaningless, and ready to go after what matters most to them. I’m amazed at what these brave women have pursued in place of their former jobs: bold career changes, creative small businesses, fulfilling new roles. Here are some of the things I’ve learned about the passion pivot, based on experiencing it myself and witnessing it in others:
It takes time to make the decision. Just because you haven’t decided yet, it doesn’t mean you’re indecisive. I spent six months considering my pivot before I pulled the trigger. When I made the decision, I didn’t have all of the details figured out, but I did have a gut sense that it was the right thing for me.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I quit my job outright. This is not for everyone! I’ve seen many people successfully dip their toe in the water and try things out before the big resignation. It can be tough to straddle a full-time job and a second interest, but it can work. There’s usually a clear tipping point along the way that will tell you when it’s time to pursue your passion full time.
People are so ready and willing to help. I’ve found that people are so gracious when I ask for help. I talked to so many experienced coaches as I was starting out. They were able to share their experiences and offer invaluable advice. Use your networks for support. You don’t have to figure everything out on your own!
The key ingredient is patience. A good friend and successful entrepreneur told me early on that it always takes much longer than you expect to get things off the ground. I took that to heart and have reminded myself of his advice in moments of impatience. Give yourself some grace when things aren’t going according to your timeline. If you stick with it, these things will come and it will be even better than you hoped it would be!
Are you considering your own passion pivot? You don’t have to go it alone. A coach can be a great partner as you work through the process. Reach out for an exploratory coaching conversation!
