How unexpected pivots can lead to unimaginable opportunities
Michelle “MACE” Curran
Professional Speaker, Thunderbird Pilot ‘19-‘21, Combat Veteran, Fighter Pilot, Author, Outdoor Enthusiast ?? I can help you get unstuck by empowering you to face your fears and take calculated risks ?? Let's connect!
For better or worse, our path in life is dictated by a series of unexpected events, outcomes, and circumstances. And regardless of how carefully we plan, things rarely work out as expected.
But I believe this is a good thing.
When we embrace uncertainty and lean into unexpected changes (from both internal and external sources), the results can be extraordinary.
Did you ever have that gut feeling that you needed to pivot and shift course quickly?
When we feel it, what holds us back from making that pivot?
My life is full of great examples of how unexpected changes, which shook up my plan, proved EXACTLY what I needed at the time.
In this issue of Inverting Your Mindset, I'll demonstrate how staying flexible and adapting to life's uncertainties can help us make discoveries about ourselves and unlock incredible opportunities.
I'll share my journey from dreaming of a career in federal law enforcement to strapping on a fighter jet in the U.S. Air Force and then transitioning into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship.
Read time: 3 min. Let's dive in!
From FBI Agent to Fighter Pilot
Unlike many of my fellow Air Force colleagues, I did not grow up in a family of pilots and wasn't introduced to the world of aviation during my childhood.
Instead, the carefully planned trajectory of my life focused on a career in federal law enforcement, which included the following steps:
Each step followed a predictable routine - so far so good.
Until everything changed…
Two years into college, I visited an Air Force base and watched a flight of F-15s blasting off for a training mission in full afterburner - a completely new experience for me. I was in awe.
The sight of the afterburner's orange flames illuminating the sky, accompanied by the incredible noise and raw power changed me instantly - it was a defining moment in my life.
My experience that day led to a complete shift in my goals and put me on the first of several new trajectories.
After graduating college and receiving my commission in the U.S. Air Force, I was selected for a pilot slot and entered a several year-long competitive training program that I would need to excel in if I was going to make that dream a reality. Against the odds, I was eventually assigned to fly F-16s and was headed to a combat squadron in Japan.
The transition involved rigorous training, a high level of competition, and an unwavering commitment to excel in a field completely different from my original plan.
Years later, my time in the F-16 would open the door for me to become a member of the elite Air Force Thunderbirds - another wild and unpredictable adventure.
If I ignored my gut feelings on the flight line that day, who knows where I would be today?
From Thunderbird to Entrepreneur
As a Thunderbird, the flying was incredible, as you can imagine, but it was my interaction with the crowd after the shows, especially the young girls, that was even more rewarding.
I remembered those moments during the meet and greet with the fans and how it made me feel. I could see the positive impact that my story could have on others.
My time with the Thunderbirds left a significant impression on me and helped me discover passions outside of aviation.
I felt inspired to help others, albeit in a different capacity, which motivated me to make yet another pivot.
After leaving military life, most pilots choose a somewhat predictable career with the airlines, but I knew that wasn't for me. At least not yet. I felt pulled in a different direction.
I decided to dive head-first into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, which is what I'm focused on today.
Running my own business feels like paddle boarding in the ocean - some days the seas are calm, while other days, there can be violent storms.
But having learned the value of just riding out the storms has served me well and bolstered my resilience, arguably the most important trait in all successful entrepreneurs.
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This decision has afforded me the opportunity to deliver keynotes to audiences around the world, sharing my story and inspiring others.
None of this would be possible without a willingness and eagerness to step into the unknown despite my fear. And it wasn't just a change in my path but a newfound ability to embrace the ever-changing nature of my dreams and aspirations.
Adaptability is Everything
Throughout each change in my life, from college to the Air Force, to becoming a fighter pilot, and now moving forward as an entrepreneur, time and time again, despite my best efforts to plan, unexpected opportunities arose.
It demonstrates how important it is to be flexible, open-minded, and willing to adapt.
My brief life story isn't solely about transitions but about how being willing to adjust your goals can lead to a more rewarding journey.
Life in the military was structured and stable, but entrepreneurship offered a chance to explore, innovate, and inspire.
The contrast between a structured military lifestyle and the unpredictable journey of entrepreneurship teaches us a valuable lesson about adaptability.
Our ability to recognize unexpected opportunities and embrace the unknown that comes with pursuing them is a superpower.
What's the Lesson?
Life is unpredictable for everyone.
Each challenge, failure, and success on this path highlighted the value of resilience and adaptability.
Each twist and turn in life adds value to the overall experience and teaches us lessons that only make us more adaptable for the future
My roller coaster ride has made me better in ways I could never have imagined, planned, or designed. It has led to countless pinch me moments where I have a second to soak in the experience with gratitude.
Key Takeaways:
Remember: Success and fulfillment can come from the most unexpected places.
If we learn to adapt, pivot, and recognize these moments, life becomes more enjoyable and opens up endless opportunities.
Interested in Learning More?
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Head over to my website to learn more.
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Thanks for reading! I hope this was helpful.
Until next time,
Inspiring story and very well presented. Thank you for sharing.
Project Manager at Heart ? People First | Seeking a Construction Management Role | Veteran & Proud LEO Wife | Currently Booking Individual, Group and Corporate Travel
1 年I couldn’t agree with this more! Pivoting in my career journey has been an extraordinary experience. While I haven’t been inverted, I’ve experienced some very influential moments around the world. Pivoting has taught and instilled in me adaptability, integrity, compassion and how to open my mind to creative thinking and solutions. It has helped me with my interpersonal skills, listening skills and how to truly understand people from diverse backgrounds. Pivoting has brought me to where I am today and extremely grateful. Love this post Mace thanks for sharing! ??
KPMG US Federal Sales lead for DoD to help transform organizations, technology, culture & processes. Views expressed here are my own and not those of my employer
1 年Michelle “MACE” Curran recently learned that anxiety and gratitude reside in the same area of the brain. Due to absolutely unexpected, and at the time, undesired series of events everything changed. Realized that hard doesn’t mean bad. Hard is what shapes us. What makes us who we are and will become. Being able to be grateful for the hard has changed my entire outlook. I’m happy. Truly, deeply happy. Embracing the hard with gratitude kicks out all anxiety, second guessing and other negative feelings. I now believe that being grateful opens myself to new opportunities that were there - couldn’t see them in the blast zone of hard. Once out of that zone everything looks and feels different. Pivots change us for the better if we can just embrace them.
Professional Wallpaper hanger at Affectum inc
1 年Hi Michelle Thank you for sharing your life good experience , I am new followers Thank you ?? Ernesto.
Empathetic Builder of Things that Matter | Normalizing Bipolar
1 年"For better or worse, our path in life is dictated by a series of unexpected events, outcomes, and circumstances. And regardless of how carefully we plan, things rarely work out as expected." So perfectly put Michelle.