Pivoting After 40? Keep your Day Job!

If you're pivoting after the age of 40, First, congratulations! You've taken a step towards creating the life you want to live. The best piece of wisdom I can share, from firsthand experience though, is for the love of all that is holy, do not quit your job if you want to pivot successfully!

To be clear, the idea is to eventually quit your job, but not until you've put together a framework and a timeline for success. Quitting your day job on a whim or even with some thought to pursue your passion, is a recipe for disaster. Why? Because the time- freedom you trade in is quickly replaced by stress you brought on yourself to ensure baseline survival: food, clothing shelter.

You think you work better when stressed? The mental gymnastics required to justify the mess you've created will reduce enthusiasm for life, make you focus on what you're not doing, and will turn freedom into a prison of missed self-imposed deadlines and self scrutiny.

For example:

• You saved up for 3 months living expenses but didn't account for a family emergency that takes up 5 months of your time.

• You joined the community of people doing what you're doing but didn't account for other expenses needed to launch your business.

• You're experienced and have some clientele but only those clientele, and they've also pivoted into an area for which you have no expertise and can no longer service their needs.
  

Use my experience as an example; I made this very same mistake.

In the summer of 2019, I quit my job to pursue entry into veterinary school because I had always wanted to be a veterinarian and I was taking control of my life's direction. I worked a part time job and roomed with my younger brother, allowing me to contribute to fixed costs like rent, Internet, and electricity.

In March of 2020, I did not account for blow to the ground that everyone was dealt, aside from billionaires. During Spring Break which was extended due to a cyber threat coupled with not knowing how to handle a worldwide pandemic, I was faced with a crucial decision to make: Continue to pursue entry into veterinary school already over the age of 40? Or pivot altogether?

I figured it would take me 2 years to get into vet school but I didn't account for how hard organic chemistry would be and how many units I needed as a pre-requisite for my vet school applications. Two part-time jobs later and frustrated with my crappy lifestyle, what I got did not match what I ordered.

When pivoting after 40 (or any age), here's what you should do instead.

If I could go back in time, I'd first and foremost get clear on how I want to be of service to the world. Knowing what you want is the most underrated underexplored area of human development. This takes a multi-pronged approach.

Take advantage of StrengthsFinder and other personality tests, a numerology or astrology reading, and other forms of divination to help you determine your strengths and where you can excel and feel fulfilled.

What can be unlocked as a result of getting clear on what you want:

• Clarity on your chosen path

• Confidence in your ability to learn or improve skills related to your chosen path

• Courage to pursue the path that is aligned with the framework
  

As a Gen-Xer who has pivoted multiple times literally for the past 2 decades, I want anyone who can, to learn from my mistakes. You automatically have a leg-up and can experience your time spent on this earth in the feeling of fulfillment and joy, more than in the feeling of regret and frustration.