Artist: http://hueyhaque.blogspot.com/

If you grew up in the 90s like me, the first image that may pop up for you when you see the word ‘pivot’ is that scene from the show Friends, where Ross, Chandler and Rachel are seen trying to haul an unusually large couch up the stairs in an iconic scene. Of course, the couch never makes it up the stairs but the scene itself became iconic for years to come. 

Unlike the couch, however, we as humans can pivot. But given the repetitive nature of our everyday lives, we often forget that we literally have the ability to pivot. To change the narrative. The trajectory of our lives.

We forget that there is no actual rule that says your routine before and after your 9-5 has to look the same. That your day job can’t have elements of newness to it. 

There comes a point in every adult’s life where we get so engulfed in our defined roles and responsibilities that we literally forget that we could wake up the next day and sign-up for a trapeze lesson if we wanted to. 

And like most. I too forgot that I could pivot.

I’ve reached that point of the year where I’ve been forced to introspect the uneasiness that I’ve been feeling as of late.

It took a while to acknowledge the fact that as much as I crave routine and stability, I also thrive under the chaos of newness.

I live for the late-night swims at the beach and crave the adrenaline hit that I get from learning something new. 

But we all know that pivoting in a day and age where prices make you want to start an OnlyFans account is not always easy. 

But it is feasible. 

If you do it in small doses.

So here are my tips on how you can pivot your life, without creating complete havoc:

1. Do something out of character

It doesn’t matter what it is. You could literally wake up one morning and decide that you want to go shark diving (Sea Life Sydney does accomodate for this by the way), or go to your nearest beach and enjoy a night swim. Do something that will take you out of your everyday loop/routine and something that will have your friends saying ‘that is so out of character for you’. 

2. Curate your media intake 

We all know that energy flows where attention goes. And we now live in a day and age where we are flooded with so much information that sifting through the garbage is nearly impossible. But it is necessary. 

Take the time to filter out the news and apps that don’t benefit your mental health and where possible limit your time on social media. I know it is easier said than done (because lord knows I have an unhealthy relationship with TikTok). 

But at the very least. At least trick the algorithm to work in your favour. 

3. Give yourself 30 minutes 

Give yourself 30-minutes a day to spend on a new skill. It can be through YouTube. It can be through a free course online. Heck, it could be through a podcast. Take some time out of your day to consume and learn a new skill.

Whatever you do make it fun because you will hit a point where all motivation will leave the building. And when that does happen, you will have to rely on your curiosity. So make sure whatever it is that you are consuming. It is something that you are curious about. 

4. Meet new people

I can already hear you sharpening your pitchforks as I say this. But hear me out.

As an extroverted introvert. I crave and thrive in my alone time. But after having attended my share of Meetups over the years I have to admit that meeting new people in small doses and building new relationships opens up your world in a major way. 

5. Fail forward

As we get older we tend to avoid making changes because we are scared that it will disrupt the stability that we have in place. And the truth is. It probably will. But only if we learn nothing from it. 

In my 20-something years of existence on this rapidly combusting planet, I have learned that you never truly fail in life, if you learn something from it. It might be a tough pill to swallow, but I can say with surety that every ‘risky’ decision I’ve made has always forced me to grow in one way or another. Which has ultimately led to me failing forward. 

6. Lean into the process 

 Pivoting any aspect of your life (wether it be health, work or finances) is going to take time. It is going to be a journey. So in the moments when everything feels tense and out of place, take a moment to remember why you did it in the first place. 

Your ‘why’ will ground you and your purpose will fuel you.

7. Celebrate the small wins

Throughout your journey, you will encounter small wins. It may be in the form of passing your first technical interview, it may be in the form of receiving feedback from a publishing agency, or it may be in the form of you doing your first yoga pose with ease.

Whatever it is, I guarantee you, if you look hard enough, you will find your small wins.

And when you do. Celebrate them, the way you would with your big wins.