BAUU 53 - Simple Strategies For Evaluating And Pivoting Your Career Path

Welcome back to the Business As UnUsual (BAUU) TL;DR solutions for leaders. This edition focuses on a critical yet often overlooked aspect of professional growth: evaluating your career path and knowing when (and how) to pivot.

Careers are no longer linear. Whether driven by personal growth, changing industries, or a desire for renewed purpose, leaders must learn to assess their career alignment regularly and make confident, strategic pivots when necessary.

The format is:

• Problem
• TL;DR Solution
• Try This
• It’s a Wrap

"The key to growth is the introduction of higher dimensions of consciousness into our awareness." — Lao Tzu

Problem

Many professionals find themselves at a crossroads in their careers. They might feel:

• Stuck in a role that no longer challenges or fulfils them.
• Disconnected from their purpose or misaligned with organisational values.
• Uncertain about making a pivot, fearing failure or the unknown.

Research shows that 49% of professionals have considered changing careers, but only a small percentage take actionable steps. Without a clear evaluation process, opportunities are missed, and dissatisfaction grows.

How can leaders effectively evaluate their career paths and confidently pivot when change is needed?

TL;DR Solution

Successful career evaluation and pivots rely on the ALIGN Framework, a structured approach to ensure clarity, direction, and meaningful action.

A = Assess Your Current Position

Best Practice: Take an honest inventory of your current role, responsibilities, and satisfaction.

Practice: Use a reflective journal to identify areas of alignment and disconnection.

Impact: Provides clarity on what’s working and what needs to change.

L = Look at Long-Term Goals

Best Practice: Define your personal and professional North Star.

Practice: Write down your 5-year vision and reverse-engineer smaller milestones.

Impact: Keeps career decisions aligned with your long-term purpose.

I = Identify Gaps and Opportunities

Best Practice: Recognise skill gaps and emerging opportunities in your industry.

Practice: Perform a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis.

Impact: Highlights areas for improvement and potential growth directions.

G = Gather Input and Support

Best Practice: Seek advice from mentors, peers, and industry professionals.

Practice: Schedule feedback sessions with trusted advisors or colleagues.

Impact: Provides external perspectives and reduces blind spots.

N = Navigate the Pivot Plan

Best Practice: Create a step-by-step roadmap for the transition.

Practice: Set actionable goals, timelines, and checkpoints for progress.

Impact: Turns uncertainty into a structured path forward.

"You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward." — Steve Jobs

Try This

1. Career Alignment Self-Assessment

Action: Take a structured assessment to evaluate alignment with your current role and long-term goals.

Frequency: Annually

Impact: Creates self-awareness and identifies areas for recalibration.

2. Pivot Experimentation

Action: Test potential career directions through side projects, volunteer roles, or temporary assignments.

Frequency: Quarterly

Impact: Low-risk way to explore new opportunities without immediate commitment.

3. Build Your Pivot Plan

Action: Develop a transition plan with actionable milestones and timelines.

Frequency: As needed

Impact: Provides clarity and reduces anxiety during career shifts.

"Change is hard at first, messy in the middle, and gorgeous at the end." — Robin Sharma

It’s a Wrap

That’s it for today, see you next week.

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As always, be happy, healthy, joyful, and wealthy.

/Rick

Need Personalised Guidance?

If you're considering a career pivot or evaluating your next professional step, I’d love to help you gain clarity and confidence in your journey.

Feel free to reach out for a coaching session, and let’s map your next steps together.

?? This edition aligns with Business As UnUsual: How to Thrive in the New Renaissance.

Get your copy for more on thriving in uncertainty here: https://www.rickyvanovich.com/books

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