Sometimes in work - and in life - you need to alter your course aka pivot. This can apply to a writing project, a marketing initiative, or something entirely different. How you embrace change, whether by choice or by circumstance, can make all the difference.
I had a wonderful conversation on pivoting - aka left turns - last month on GoalChatLive. My guests were Matt Bailey, founder of SiteLogic; Cheri Ruskus, whose company is Business Victories' and Jennifer Watson, co-founder of Twister Twins LLC.
Matt, Cheri, and Jennifer discussed how they’ve made left turns … and in some cases have come full-circle. They also talked about how to avoid the advice abyss, pitfalls when pivoting, strategies for success, and more.
What is a pivot?
Matt says whether it's actually a pivot depends on how far you are turning. Cheri believes pivoting involves getting out of your comfort zone. This is a good thing, just be sure you are making a change for the right reasons. Adds Jennifer, pivoting can be as simple as following your heart.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Cheri: When you are exploring new things, people may try to throw a safety net over you and dissuade you; stay away from the safety net people. Use your instincts
- Jennifer: Trust your gut. And, trust the process.
- Matt: You can take a left turn and still stay in your area of expertise.
Pivoting Goals
- Matt: Read a story to your children. Kids don’t remember the grand gestures. They remember the quality time. Don't have kids? Spend quality time with yourself
- Cheri: Get out in nature. Cheri has a morning momentum practice
- Jennifer: Start reading a book that can inspire you. Reach out to someone you’ve always wanted to meet; get out of your comfort zone
Watch our conversation.
Final Thoughts
- Jennifer: Just do it!
- Cheri: Trust yourself, trust the journey you are on. Be the happiest person in the room!
- Matt: Sometimes left turns happen to you; be aware of the opportunity!
If you think you need to make a change, you are probably right. Whether it’s a big change or little, personal or professional, embrace who you are and what drives you, so you can start heading in the right direction.
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For more inspiration and motivation, follow @TheDEBMethod on Facebook, Instagram, and Linkedin!
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How do you embrace or seek change? What tips do you have for pivoting? Please share in the comments.
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12 comments:
Thank you, Debra, for your continued motivational articles. They get me moving!
Happy to hear it! Thanks, Linda!
Deb, I think you pivoting definitions are related to a little story I like to tell on one of my Marketing friends. She was founder and ran her own marketing firm for suppliers in the retail industry for many years and she says, “most people don’t know when an opportunity comes and sits right on the bridge of their noses!” I figure that often that reaction is out of fear, but probably more often it’s just a natural reticence or an under-practiced process of following one’s own instincts. I used to follow through with every project I started. Lately I notice I am more willing to jump off of one project for another. A very obvious one was a book and I was writing on utilizing Twitter as a marketing tool for authors. I had already written many articles on it, so I was going to borrow from those to make it an easy project and then, lo and behold, it came under the ownership of Elon Musk! There were so many changes I would have had to start again, anyway. That was an easy pivot to make, but it’s an example that most people can relate to—that is, a book that has reached a dead end alley for whatever reason. Thank you for giving me food for thought.
Best, Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Thanks for your comment, Carolyn! As you know, I am all about embracing change, whether it's by choice or circumstance. As long as you know who you are, what makes you unique, and how you help - the D in The DEB Method is Determine Your Mission - you are able to assess opportunities and pivot, if need be.
Deb, pivots come in all shapes and sizes. In 2000 I left being an assistant controller for a manufacturing company to write. While that was a big pivot in my career, I did have smaller ones in the genres I wrote in. Whether big or small, pivots can give us a new direction. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing your pivoting experience, Karen! And good for you! - Deb
Thanks Debra! Encouraging subject & great interviews ... Embrace change and go forward.
Deborah Lyn, it's good to hear from you. I have missed you. Hope all is going well.
Best,
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Thanks, Deborah Lyn! It was definitely a fun and informative conversation!
Debra,
Thanks for the reminder about pivoting.
So many writers think they have to figure everything out about a writing career or writing business from the start.
And when things don't go well the first time round, they give up.
I always tell my clients, the people who succeed are the ones who ar willing to fail the most.
They try something, then pivot if it doesn't work.
Look at Harry and Meghan. Everyday we read how they are pivoting. They refuse to fail.
Suzanne
Suzanne, thank you for the suggestion. I'll have to pay more attentions to the Harry and Meghan's marketing tactics. It seems to me that those in the spotlight may get accused of "flip-flopping," "pivoting," or some such thing so why not use to our advantage. LOL. We could also use a motto, "I reserve the right to change my mind." A little humor never hurts when we run into career roadblocks.
Best,
Carolyn
Great example and fabulous advice, Suzanne. A lot of people say that failure is the jey to success. Thanks for your comment!
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