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What is Pivoting? Pivoting is not a term you hear often because change is not promoted in our society. Sure, you all see the Instagram quotes and some of you read inspirational books. However, in general, you are conditioned to stay in your lanes, which essentially means keep doing what you're doing. Think about it: How many people do you know who have radically changed their lives? Completely swapped their careers? Gone back to school or re-educated themselves mid-life? Moved across the globe? Not many, in consideration of the entire pool of people.

This is why school leads to university and university leads to a career in which you are intended, by traditional standards, to continue on until retirement. And this used to work.

However, in your new world, things move fast. Industries are not just evolving; entirely new ones are born, and others are dying off. Skills are becoming outdated, and many are beginning to be pulled in new directions of interest. The menu of opportunities available for what was once considered "work" has blossomed! “Work” can now look more like “creating.”

But this is a new trend in society—there aren't a lot of manuals on how to swap your life—how to pivot. As Annie Duke says in her book, Quit, quitting is associated with and connected to being a loser. Think about it: if you say, "Oh, you're a quitter," it is essentially the exact same as saying to someone, "You’re a loser." The word quitting has been linked to "giving up."

Deciding that you no longer wish to do something does not necessarily mean you are giving up. Yes, this is how it is framed and referenced in our society, as if changing means you're “quitting.” This is just another form of being boxed in life. In fact, changing lanes or shifting into a new direction could be the smartest move in your Game. If you are asking yourself the question, "Is it time to quit?" you are really asking yourself, "Is it time to pivot? Is it time to change lanes?"

Annie reframes how you should view grit, aka hustle. Hustle is great, and it helps you accomplish and stick to the hard things in life that are worthwhile. However, before implementing hustle in life, one first must be able to distinguish if what is being worked on is worthwhile at this point in time. It could have been at one point, but is it now?

Hustle and grit of sticking with that which matters is amazing—but is it still worthwhile? Often in life, if you have the feeling it's time for a change, it's time for a change. Think about it: you don't get the feeling you should move if you love your house. You don't get the feeling of looking for a new partner when you love your current partner. If the feeling is there—it is a sign—and although you don't have to follow it—you must examine it and decide what you will do with it.

If you don't, it will begin to haunt you. As soon as these feelings arise in life, deal with them immediately. And no, I'm not talking about the kind of thought you get when watching a cool reality show, for example, Selling Sunset, "Oh, that could be cool instead." No, I mean the, "I'm not doing what I'm meant to do in life," or "I'm not happy with what I'm doing in life," kind of thoughts. These types of thoughts are warning signs that should be listened to because they come up out of nowhere. They're feelings that often, once they start coming up, start coming up more and more.

When it comes to a question such as "Should I pivot?" these decisions should only be made after extreme thought.

It’s hard to level up because people and systems try to hold you back. However, your Game and life become easier as soon as you level up. You can modify your roles and change your character entirely to help you level up in your Game. Doing this helps you build a stronger Game. You are in control. You have the power to make radical changes if you want to. Anything is possible!

In basketball, when a player pivots, they look like they are headed in one direction. Then, they move their feet suddenly and point them in another direction. It’s a surprise move. No one saw it coming. It allows them to make a move on their target, the hoop.

What does it mean to pivot?

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