Introduction
There may come a time where you need to make a career change.
What is the best way to do this, and are there any consequences in doing so, especially if you make the wrong choice?
Within her book, “Pivot”, Blake points out there are four major components when looking to make a career change.
These components include:
- Plant
- Scan
- Pilot
- Launch
- Audible Audiobook
- Jenny Blake (Author) – Jenny Blake (Narrator)
- English (Publication Language)
- 09/06/2016 (Publication Date) – Gildan Media, LLC (Publisher)
These ideas are discussed thru three major points, which are:
1) Step back and define your values so you know what you want to achieve
2) Successful pivoters rely upon a network of mentors and advisors
3) Before pivoting properly, pilot your ideas with small, low-risk experiments
Lesson 1: Step back and define your values so you know what you want to achieve
Too often, when people want to make a change, they go directly to the launch aspect of the change, rather than start with the Planting and Scanning portion of the change.
When this occurs, change can seem overwhelming.
The best way to start is by evaluating what your own value are.
You don’t need to figure out when or how you will pivot initially.
Once you have determined a pivot needs to be made (Plant a Pivot), figure out the most important factors you want in a career.
After determining those factors, you can then pursue (Scan) opportunities which will lead to a more fulfilling career.
Lesson 2: Successful pivoters rely upon a network of mentors and advisors
The lesson here is quite simple – you do not have to go thru this process of pivoting alone.
In fact, it is encouraged that you find someone, or a group, who is like minded and can help you process and talk thru any situation.
When finding a mentor, you should never approach the person by looking for a long-term arrangement.
Rather, approach someone with the mentality it’ll be a one-off conversation.
If it develops into something more naturally, then great. If not, then the advice should still be considered valuable.
If you are having trouble finding someone, there are various avenues on the internet to find like-minded people.
This kind of group should be very open and allow you to ask any kind of question necessary to navigate thru your pivot.
Lesson 3: Before pivoting properly, pilot your ideas with small, low-risk experiments
Once you have Planted and Scanned, the third step is to Pilot.
The reason you pilot first, rather than launch, is to ensure what you want to do will bring the fulfillment you think it will.
By taking low-risk steps, you can see what works and doesn’t work, and adjust accordingly.
For example, if you want to write a book, you can start by writing short stories and see how they are received. Based upon feedback, you can continue on this path, or go back and revisit your Plant and Scan.
There is nothing wrong with going down a path and noticing it is not what you expected.
Retreating and evaluating is always better than making a pivot and realizing too late it was a mistake.
Once you have piloted your pivot and you are still excited about the opportunity, then you are ready to Launch.
My Personal Takeaway
I recently finished my summary on Managing Up, which also is a book with many good career advices, and I thought I would continue on the same topic with this summary of Pivot.
I think one should start with Pivot, and then proceed to Managing Up to get some really good insights on how to change the trajectory of one’s career.
After reading Pivot, I can definetly see how it can be valuable to many and it contains many actionable advises which can be implemented in your life. By using a MVP or piloting approach in changing your career or anything else, you can take baby-steps and adjust your strategy and approach after receiving feedback. This strategy can be used in almost any situation in life, which is why I really like it!
Put it into action
- Very simple, but very important. Figure out what you want and why you might be unhappy with something in your life, then strategize your next move.
- Talk to people. Try to scan for good mentors by having conversions and if it progresses naturally you have found a mentor that works for you.
- Take small steps and adjust your strategy along the way, rather than go all in and realise that you made a mistake.
🤙 Your Next Step… 🤙
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