Career: Dare to Pivot: Moving Forward With Purpose

There comes a moment in many people’s lives when the familiar no longer feels fulfilling. The job that once offered security, routine, and even pride begins to feel tight—like a coat you’ve outgrown but keep wearing because it’s warm and predictable. And then quietly, almost gradual at first, a question arises:

“What if I did something different?” or “Should I be doing something different?”

For someone standing at the edge of a potential career change, getting back into the workforce, or needing affirmation you are at the right place- these questions can be both exhilarating and terrifying. Moving forward isn’t always about speed or confidence; sometimes it’s about courage—the quiet kind that whispers, It’s okay to want more.

The Weight of Staying Still

Before the leap comes the pause—a season of contemplation. You start noticing the parts of your workday that drain you more than they inspire you. You watch coworkers thrive in roles that no longer spark anything inside you. Your kids are growing up and headed to school. You begin wondering if your best years should be spent wishing you were somewhere else or staying where you are.

Staying in place often feels safer than stepping into the unknown. But stillness comes with its own cost: untapped potential, untried paths, and a growing sense of “what if.”

The Shift Inside

Career change rarely starts with a dramatic revelation. It begins quietly—an idea that keeps resurfacing or a new chapter in life begins. You start imagining yourself in new environments, doing work that aligns more closely with who you’re becoming, not just who you’ve been.

You research. You take notes. You make lists.

• What skills do I have?

• What skills do I want to learn?

• What would I do if fear weren’t a factor?

And slowly, those questions turn into possibilities.

The Courage to Move Forward

At some point, contemplation becomes decision. Not necessarily a fully formed plan, but a willingness to take the next step.

Moving forward might look like:

• Taking a class after work.

• Updating your résumé for the first time in years.

• Reaching out to someone in an industry you’ve admired from afar.

• Allowing yourself to imagine a life that feels more aligned, more purposeful.

Career change isn’t just about switching fields—it’s about giving yourself permission to grow. It’s acknowledging that ambition, fulfillment, and happiness aren’t selfish goals; they’re signs that you're evolving.

Growth Over Guarantees

No one can predict perfectly how a career shift will unfold. But here’s what is certain: choosing to explore a new direction is itself an act of self-trust.

Every skill you’ve gained, every challenge you’ve faced, every moment you doubted yourself but kept going—those experiences don’t vanish. They come with you. They shape your resilience, sharpen your perspective, and fuel your confidence as you step into something new. The hard part might be taking those character traits and making them tangible skills for the workplace.

A New Chapter Begins

Moving forward doesn’t always feel like a triumphant march. Sometimes it looks like tentative steps, late-night reflections, and small but meaningful changes. But each step is movement—momentum toward a life that feels more aligned with your values, your passions, and your dreams.

And in that journey, the bravest moment isn’t when everything becomes clear.
It’s when you decide to take the next best step. It’s finding your firm footing forward.