Trapped? Time to Pivot

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the incredible stories of women who not only aimed high but also embodied a unique entrepreneurial spirit. These stories aren’t just about success; they are blueprints of resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. This is the 32th lesson, and today, we’re tackling a subject about if you are stuck, PIVOT! Regardless how hard it is!

You know that feeling when you’re looking at your life and it’s supposed to be “perfect,” but deep down, you’re stuck? Like, really stuck. One of my closest friends, Emma, was there not too long ago. You’ve met someone like her—on paper, she had it all figured out. Solid finance job, a comfortable salary, and a life that seemed Instagram-perfect with the caption “Living the Dream.” Except that dream? It was suffocating her.

Behind the spreadsheets and meetings, Emma’s real passions were buried deep under the weight of obligation. The grind had become unbearable, and the thought of living that same routine for another 10 years? It made her want to run far, far away.

What do you do when the life you’ve worked so hard for turns into a cage you’ve built for yourself? Emma had to face this head-on, and honestly, I’ve seen it happen to so many others—myself included. It’s that moment when you realize the “success” everyone else sees isn’t making you feel successful at all.

Recognizing the Signs (AKA, the Warning Bells You’ve Been Ignoring)

For Emma, it didn’t just hit her overnight. It started with that gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. You know, that quiet voice asking, “Is this really it?” She tried to ignore it at first. After all, she had a good job, a steady paycheck, and from the outside, her life was picture-perfect. But the whispers turned into full-on sirens, the kind that’s impossible to drown out, no matter how much you tell yourself you should be grateful.

Then one late night, hunched over yet another never-ending report, it hit her: she couldn’t even remember why she chose this path in the first place. The excitement, the ambition—it was long gone. Instead, it was just a crushing weight of responsibilities and expectations. That’s when she knew—it was time to pivot.

Of course, the second she realized this, the real fear kicked in. Because let’s be honest, the unknown is terrifying. What if she failed? What if she tried something new and it didn’t make her happy? But at that point, she knew—staying in this role felt like its own kind of failure. She wasn’t about to spend another decade trapped in a life she didn’t even love anymore.

Facing the Fear of Change (AKA, Realizing “What If” Isn’t a Plan)

We’ve all been there—staring at the unknown and deciding to stay where it’s familiar, even if that familiarity is suffocating. For Emma, leaving her comfortable, well-paying job for something completely different was terrifying. But here’s the kicker: the idea of staying where she was, grinding away in a life that didn’t serve her anymore, felt even worse.

At that point, she knew she had to do it. No guarantees, no safety nets. But Emma was ready to risk it because staying stuck wasn’t an option. She took a deep breath, leaned into the uncertainty, and decided it was time to pivot.

Did she storm into her boss’s office and quit on the spot? Not quite. She started small—took a few classes, explored new interests, and connected with people in different industries. Each baby step made her feel a little more like herself, a little more alive. With every tiny pivot, she started to see new possibilities, new paths she hadn’t even considered before.

Making the Pivot (AKA, Moving Toward Something That Doesn’t Suck)

Here’s the thing about pivoting—it’s not about throwing everything away. It’s about moving toward something better, something that fits. For Emma, that meant leaving the finance world behind and diving into sustainable fashion—an industry she’d always admired but never thought she could actually work in.

It wasn’t smooth sailing. She had to learn new skills, navigate a completely different industry, and yes, take a financial hit at first. There were sleepless nights, moments of doubt when she wondered if she’d made a massive mistake. But you know what she found in all of it? Purpose. The fire she had lost in finance was back, and it was burning brighter than ever.

When to Know It’s Time to Pivot (Spoiler: You Probably Already Know)

So, how do you know if it’s time to pivot? Here’s the thing—if you’re reading this, you probably already know the answer. But just in case, here’s your checklist:

• Listen to Your Gut: That sense of dread you feel every morning? That’s your inner voice telling you something needs to change. Don’t ignore it.
• Explore New Possibilities: Pivoting doesn’t mean throwing away everything you’ve built. Start small—take a class, explore new interests, talk to people outside your current circle. You never know what new doors will open.
• Assess the Risks: Sure, change is risky. But so is staying stuck in a life that no longer serves you. Weigh the risks of both options and remember—growth almost always involves stepping into discomfort.
• Take Action: You don’t need to overhaul your life in one day. Start with one small step. Even a tiny pivot can lead to a massive shift.
• Trust the Journey: Pivots are messy. They’re filled with doubts and second-guessing. But trust the process—the discomfort is where the magic happens.

The Power of the Pivot

Emma’s story is a powerful reminder that feeling trapped doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever. The courage to pivot, to embrace the discomfort of change, can open doors you never knew existed. It’s a chance to take control, to create a life that aligns with who you are now, not who you thought you had to be.

So, if you’re sitting there, feeling trapped, ask yourself this: is it time to pivot? Trust your gut, lean into the unknown, and watch as your life transforms in ways you never imagined.

When was your pivot points?

#PivotAndThrive #CareerPivot #BreakingFree #PersonalGrowth #LiveYourBestLife #TrustTheProcess #EmbraceChange