Life doesn’t hand us a neat, straight road to success.
It’s more like a winding path with surprise exits, construction zones, and the occasional storm.
Sometimes, you choose to pivot. Other times, life makes that choice for you. And when that happens, it’s tempting to label the pivot as failure — to believe you’re off track or falling behind.
But here’s the truth: a pivot isn’t punishment — it’s positioning.
I’ve had my share of pivots.
From working in mental health, to stepping into radio, to teaching high school, to running my own business, to corporate training — every shift brought its own challenges. Some pivots came by choice. Others came with an HR meeting and no choice at all. But looking back, each one pointed me toward the next opportunity I couldn’t have seen from where I started.
The danger is getting stuck. And people stay stuck because:
They fear starting over.
They worry about being judged.
They’ve tied their identity to a title, degree, or career path that no longer fits.
But if you’re clutching the past like those baboons in the salt-hole story, you’ll never get to the water — the life-giving next step.
Think about it:
Netflix started as a DVD mail service.
Marriott began as a root beer stand.
Nintendo made playing cards.
Samsung exported noodles and dried fish.
If they can pivot, so can you.
Here’s how to pivot without guilt and keep moving forward:
Release the guilt. Reframe “I’m behind” into “I’m in transition.” Write it down — there’s power in the pen.
Define a new target. Clarity kills confusion. Even if you’re unsure, choose a direction. Life has a way of rerouting you if you’re listening.
Take one small action. Shift from reaction to creation. Don’t just drift — move with intention.
Remember: the path you started on was for who you were. The pivot is for who you’re becoming. Changing direction doesn’t erase progress — it recalibrates it.
So here’s my challenge to you:
Stop punishing yourself for the pivots. Own them. Let them propel you. And surround yourself with people who will build you up when you’re in the messy middle.
Because the only thing worse than a pivot is staying stuck in a place you’ve outgrown.
🎥 Watch the full episode for the full stories, brand examples, and mindset shifts that will help you pivot boldly and realign with purpose.
