The Bloom Report Vol 16 [Bloomology]

Welcome To Friday! 📆

In the ever-evolving, Walmartish economy and job market (just ghetto), staying on your toes and being adaptable is not just a valuable skill—it's a necessity. Whether you're early in your career or have decades of experience under your belt, understanding and embracing the art of pivoting is one of the most important keys to unlocking new opportunities, achieving your goals, and finding true fulfillment in your work.

Listen, its never too late for a remix. Ask Sean Puffy Diddy Combs!

A remix is just a strategic change and it’s really never too early or too late for a change. This could not be further from the truth! Let's get into career pivots and why I will forever run this play.

What do I mean by "pivoting"? A career pivot simply means making a major change in your professional trajectory, bringing a little bit of your future into your now. This could be switching industries, taking on a totally new role, starting your side hustle, taking a certification in a new field, or any number of these pivots combined. While the idea may seem drastic let me explain. Pivoting can spark new passion, new meaning, challenges, and impact. I think we need to unlearn that pivoting, trying and failing is a bad thing or a setback. It’s actually the thing that can help you find and refine your purpose!

Here’s a little quick pivot play that I run… 💎💎💎

Whenever I'm feeling bored and not challenged in my role or career, I'll look at some of the recommended or "top applicant jobs" on LinkedIn and read through whatever parts of the job description that may be new to me or interesting to me. Then I Google those job duties or skills and see whatever other titles are similar or related to this. Whenever I can, I'll see how I can learn more about those job duties or skills and practice them in my day-to-day. You never know when your pivot might come, so I’m never waiting for the company to provide opportunities to learn new skills. Instead, I’m mastering new skills to set me up for my next pivot. I’m literally at minimum my 10th life right now ( I will reinvent myself in a minute!). Pivoting throughout my career has taught me to look beyond the ceilings or the cap someone else created for me, because there is always more room to go and grow!

By definition, to pivot is to adapt and evolve based on new information. A pivot is often a critical breakthrough point.

Here are a few powerful benefits of embracing career pivots:

✅ Aligning work with true passions and talents. Pivoting allows you to be intentional about what energizes you and builds on your innate strengths.

✅ Gaining new skills and perspectives. Stretching yourself and learning new things. This leads to tremendous growth.

✅Expanding your network. Pivoting intelligently enables you to tap into new networks and access new opportunities.

✅Increased motivation and fulfillment. Doing work you find genuinely meaningful and beneficial is a self-care practice. You are more aligned with yourself, your desires, and your values.

In today's marketplace, careers aren't linear. Sis, it’s never a straight line, pivoting builds ownership, which builds confidence and also an empowered mindset to navigate the workplace from a place of power. Pivots really boost your self-belief because you are constantly stretching and proving to yourself that you can do new and hard things.

Here are a few tips to get started on your next career pivot:

💅🏾Get clear on your "why." What is no longer working and what do you hope to gain from a change? What are your core motivations and does the change align with your values and lifestyle?

💅🏾Do your research. Speak to professionals in roles or industries you're curious about. Identify emerging trends. Get educated on career paths and requirements so you can skill up.

💅🏾Develop a plan. Break the pivot down into smaller steps over a timeline. Create strategies and tactics for how to put your plan into action.

💅🏾Build your network. Who already works in your area of interest? Reach out informally over coffee or LinkedIn. Intentionally seek out introductions and informational interviews.

💅🏾Update your skills. Determine what skills or credentials you may need for your new path.

💅🏾 Take the leap! At a certain point, you have to take a risk and make the jump. Have faith in yourself. Course correct as you go.

Embracing the power of pivoting is not just a career strategy; it's a mindset. It's about acknowledging that your career journey is not a straight line but a dynamic, ever-changing path. It’s about doing what’s best for the present version of you and your future self at all times. You should feel entitled to change the course of your career path at any time. Pivoting allows you to grow, adapt, and design your own life at your own pace.

Cheers to the weekend!

XoXo,

Jeneba