What Nobody Tells You About Career Pivots

What nobody tells you about career pivots is that there’s often a hidden phase: a period of time where you’re simply getting ready to be ready.

Looking back at my own career pivot, I realise now that I’d wanted to make the shift long before I actually did. What held me back wasn’t just fear or uncertainty—it was that I was unknowingly spending time getting ready to be ready. This readiness wasn’t about logistics or planning; it was about letting go.

For me, a significant part of letting go was releasing an old identity. I had to shed the attachment to a specific job title, to the praise and recognition that came with it. Letting go of a career and lifestyle that, on paper, was ideal but no longer aligned with me. I had to let go of the comfort of the known and face the fear of the unknown. And with that, I experienced grief and sadness.

Letting go isn’t easy. It’s hard to close the door on something that has been a core part of your life for so long. But letting go is part of the natural cycle, just like autumn asks the trees to release their leaves.

Three Things That Helped Me

1. My Future Self: I imagined my future self, the one living the life I wanted, and used her as a mentor. What would she advise me? What would she tell me to focus on now? It’s a powerful tool to stay grounded in your long-term vision. How might your future self guide you through your own pivot?
2. Self-Compassion: This has been a game changer for me. Just taking five minutes to pause, become mindful, and acknowledge what’s coming up emotionally. Recognise the difficult emotions, remind yourself that these feelings are a part of being human. If a friend were in your shoes, how would you support them? Extend that same kindness to yourself.
3. Coaching & Accountability: Coaching has played a huge role in my journey, especially during times of letting go. It’s not just the space for reflection and new perspectives that helps—it’s the accountability. Having someone there to check in with and encourage progress made all the difference for me.

If you are considering a career pivot check out my What’s Next Programme.