In this week’s Sunshine Inbox, we look at the highly relatable topic of pivoting new pathways. When reading the response received, something stood out from the member’s sharing about the biggest stressor. Can you spot it? 😊

‘Professional, making a career pivot is both exciting and challenging at the same time’

I like the use of the word “challenging” instead commonly used alternatives eg scary, problematic etc.

When we use the word “challenge” versus “problem”, our mind reacts rather differently. The first invites us to find ways to overcome it whereas the second generally depletes our energy.

Small tweaks of our choice of words can make a whole lot of difference to how we look at and manage stressors in our life. In fact, it was an intentional choice to use the words stressors instead of stress.

In last month’s The Good Life Sessions, I shared about the BANI World termed by futurist Jamais Cascio in 2018. You can read more about it here.

Increasingly, your ability to pivot new pathways will be essential to professional freedom and to living the good life.

Some observations about pivoting that you may find useful:

It is gentle prompts for exploring new directions and it can be manifested in diverse ways: portfolio careers, entrepreneurship, sabbaticals, life change, moving to a different city/ country etc.

I call it gentle prompts because should you change your mind about the pivot decision you made, you can change your mind. For example, I know of friends who left well-paying jobs to pursue their entrepreneurs’ dreams. Then years on, decided to return to the employment route. Yet others who decided on a sabbatical which became a pivot to new directions. There is no shame and it is certainly not a failure to decide a shift of your pathway. The fear of failure and having to change one’s mind is a barrier for many to pivot a new path.

Pivots are not escapes, they are expansions. When I decided to leave the non-profit sector to return to the corporate work to stabalise and shore up my finances which was in disarray at that time, a friend at work said, “I pray for you that you are not influenced by the devil to make this choice.” Truly, you must ignore others who may never comprehend your move. It is okay to be misunderstood.  

It takes courage to pivot repeatedly. And why I invite my clients to celebrate all movements even micro-ones that take them closer to the intended change. So do celebrate all steps that you are taking to actualising the dream that you want.

When you are pivoting, it is useful to let go of old narratives that no longer serve you for example, “if I change my career, I am wasting my degree” or “if I move to that country, I will be starting over from nothing.”

During my travels in Scotland, I found a great massage therapist. I learnt that she left a banking job in Russia to settle down in Scotland. When her marriage failed, she decided to stay on with her daughter and enrolled for courses in beauty and therapy. Today, she runs a thriving massage & beauty business. Her ability to reframe her past experiences as threads in her life tapestry allows successful pivots to new life and beginnings.

Another observation is when we decide to pivot, we may need to navigate the tension between who we have been and who we are becoming. Such as my client whose story I shared in an earlier Sunshine Inbox.

She always saw herself only as a salesperson and for her to take a mindset leap that she can be a leader was a huge breakthrough. Glad she did because she was offered a managerial position in another company shortly after her breakthrough. Six months later, she became the General Manager and thanks to her capability, she enabled her team to thrive during the pandemic. What this client failed to see was that in her life, she had already pivoted so many times. Paramedic to private detective to salesperson. Each took courage and willingness to learn new skillsets.  In our life journey, our identity is expansive and not fixed especially for multi-passionate souls.

Pivoting can also sometimes feel like standing at the edge of a new chapter. Where you are sensing the stirrings of change but unsure how to name or navigate it.

An awakening where you may be longing for something more aligned, more alive, more you. Awakening is not about fixing or striving. It’s the return to your inner compass and the reclaiming of your voice.

By the way, the fact that you chose to be in this club highlights that you are awakened and know that there is a more to you and to life. Yes, a few of you joined to support my new initiative yet that act of support comes from one who is awakened with appreciative hearts. Thank you for encouraging me to pivot by starting this club.

Whether it’s a career pivot, a shift into entrepreneurship, or a reimagining of your life’s rhythm and beginnings, awakening invites you to walk a path that is yours.

In closing, I like to share a serendipitous meeting that happened last month.

I was travelling in Scotland and decided to visit Brodie Castle where the Historic Wheels Club was holding a rally for classic vehicles. While walking abouts and busy taking pictures of the beautiful classic cars, someone asked, “Are you a Singaporean?”

When I heard it, my heart swelled with joy and such a surprise too as I wasn’t expecting to meet fellow Singaporeans there. Haren by sheer chance decided to visit the rally and he was equally surprised to hear a Singaporean accent.

He and his girlfriend Nerine are on a riding adventure across continents, living their dream one dirt road at a time. Trading professional titles for the vastness of possibility. Their story isn’t just one of adventure. it’s a gentle testament to what becomes possible when professionals have the courage to pivot and follow their hearts.

I had the opportunity to spend some time with them. They shared that at some point, they will yet again pivot to another pathway. For now, they are glad they made the decision to go on this epic adventure. I wish them all the best for the rest of their trip!

Instagram: All Terrain Over Landers
Facebook: All Terrain Over Landers
The Straits Times article: ‘Complete freedom’: Singaporean couple travel 38,000km on dirt bikes and they are not done yet
CNA article: Dear Singapore, be brave, be kind, be a kampung

If you are in a discernment stage right now, may you take heart and explore the new pathway(s). Speak to others who are already on that pathway, research more into it, prepare for it but more importantly, avoid being discouraged by naysayers.