Life Hacks: How To Quickly Pivot Your Life in a New Direction

From the time you were old enough to be verbal, adults have posed the question, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” So it makes sense that you would grow up with the mindset that you need to make a decision and stick with it. This thinking sets the stage for resistance to change.

Many of us work hard to maintain stability when our efforts would be put to better use by learning to adapt and even embrace change since that is the true constant in life. Build a tool kit of self help techniques to improve your readiness to pivot when you need to.

Allen’s book was published in 2001, and his original framework involved paper and physical folders. Leverage today’s technology to utilize a system-based repository, such as an Outlook to-do list or calendar. This avoids the need to remember details and due dates. When the system takes over for your memory, it frees your mind to focus on whatever you need to do right now. If you get nothing accomplished each day except your top one to three priorities, pat yourself on the back because you have succeeded in diverting away from lesser important activities.

This approach reduces procrastination and provides peace of mind that important emails have not been missed and that no one is fuming because you haven’t responded to an urgent matter. As a word of caution, though, this practice can become addictive. Some people get so consumed by this exercise that they neglect doing their work in favor of organizing it.

If you are delegated responsibilities out of sync with your goals, sense that your skills are devalued in the company or marketplace, experience the telltale signs of burnout or simply feel bored, it may be time to pivot.

Goal # 1: Continuous Learning

Reassess your career objective, and check if you are on track. Do you have the attributes to move in a linear direction, cross over into another industry or migrate to a lateral position? If there are any gaps in your knowledge or skills, set a goal to identify and enroll in relevant classes. If your current or targeted role lends itself to a certification, do some research to learn how to become certified.

Goal # 3: Stay Informed of Job Requirements

Set a goal to keep abreast of technical, leadership and people skills in demand for your profession. Visit job boards to read job descriptions of the job to which you aspire, and see how your knowledge and skills lineup. If your company provides access to an internal job board, take a peek at that too. Review the requirements for new incumbents in your position to check if your company has expanded their criteria.

Goal # 4: Refresh Social Media

Keep your social media profiles current and consistent. If possible, arrange to have your photo taken professionally and saved in a digital format. Every time your resumé is updated, be sure your profiles on social media and industry-specific websites convey the same image and level of professionalism. If you are not already a member of a professional organization, research your industry for opportunities to join a group of peers.

Many people have credited their professional network for their success. Set a goal to build and nurture your network, not only to take your career to the next level but also to share your expertise and to be present in the groups you find relevant. This should not come across as self-serving. Participate in the groups you join, and make constructive comments on member posts.

Adam Grant is an organizational psychologist and business professor at Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also the author of a book entitled, “Give and Take.” In his book, he establishes three categories of workers: takers, givers and matchers. Takers are interested in what you can do for them. Givers want to know what they can do for you. Matchers are more interested in quid pro quo, meaning they will do something for you if you return the favor. Grant spearheaded a study that concluded most people are matchers, but givers are the key contributors to the organization.

Givers can pivot a team in a positive direction, and Grant proposes how to facilitate this. “If we can weed takers out of organizations, if we can make it safe to ask for help, if we can protect givers from burnout and make it OK for them to be ambitious in pursuing their own goals as well as trying to help other people, we can actually change the way people define success. Instead of saying it’s all about winning a competition, people will realize success is really more about contribution.” Grant believes that the most meaningful way to succeed is to help others succeed.

Defining growth is personal. A pivot can lead to great career growth. Other times, it can simply bring you to a better place in your life. In an article about Jenny Blake’s book, “Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One,” one of the tenets stated is that “changes are usually for the best.” When Blake conducted interviews for her book, she did not encounter one person who said the pivot resulted in making their life worse. Some people were more positive, saying that those changes were for the best and worked out eventually. For some people, that is growth.

Once you have met your goals, consider joining a mentoring program. Research high schools and colleges that offer mentoring opportunities. Many of these institutions greatly appreciate partnering with the professional community to provide students with guidance on corporate life and other employment scenarios. Volunteering as a mentor allows those entering the workforce to benefit from your learnings.

Through the many tragedies brought on by the global pandemic, maybe we can find a teachable moment, which is to always be ready to pivot in response to events that manifest in unimaginable ways. With the power of creativity, innovation, resilience and tenacity, human beings continue to reinvent themselves and guide others toward solutions, helping people help themselves.