Welcome to the Stop Sabotaging Your Success podcast, episode one hundred and sixty-one. I’m your host, Cindy Esliger. This is the podcast focusing on what we can do today to take control of our careers and overcome the inevitable barriers to success that we encounter along the way.

As you may have guessed, careers rarely unfold as planned. Just when you think you’ve got everything under control, something comes flying out of left field to disrupt your carefully laid plans. Whether it’s a sudden organizational shakeup, a project imploding, or unexpected shifts in the industry, these moments can leave you reeling. It’s easy to spiral into fear, obsess over the uncertainty, and convince yourself that there’s no way forward. But, what if these disruptions weren’t just problems to solve, but opportunities to grow? Navigating career pitfalls with resilience and adaptability is less about avoiding setbacks and more about how you respond when they inevitably show up.

In this episode, we explore a proactive, solution-focused approach known as pivoting to turn challenges into stepping stones. Instead of panicking, withdrawing, or acting impulsively, pivoting encourages you to pause, assess the situation, and take deliberate action to move forward. 

It’s not about pretending the problem doesn’t exist or rushing to a quick fix; it’s about embracing change, finding new opportunities within the chaos, and proving to yourself just how adaptable you can be. With the right strategies and mindset, every setback can become a chance to redefine your career path. Things may be uncertain right now, but it’s time to decide your next move. 

No one wants to admit it, but there’s no such thing as security or certainty in today’s workplace. Just when you think you’ve got the landscape figured out, something is bound to shift. The rules change, priorities are reshuffled, or rumors about layoffs begin to circulate that knock you off balance. Or maybe they are more than just rumors and suddenly your world is upside down and you’re left wondering how to pick up the pieces. 

When uncertainty barges its way into your career plans, it can be tempting to spiral into panic. You start obsessing over every problem you can foresee, catastrophizing about worst-case scenarios, and staying stuck in the vortex of ‘what ifs’ for weeks, or even months. And let’s not forget the impulsive moves that feel good in the moment but end up backfiring spectacularly. We’ve all done some over the years. 

But, what if instead of letting the fear call the shots, you chose to pivot? Pivoting is a proactive approach that focuses more on the solutions that shift your mindset from, “I’m doomed” to, “What’s my next move?”. It’s about leveraging uncertainty to your advantage, turning setbacks into opportunities, and proving to yourself (and maybe a few skeptics in your midst) that you’re more adaptable than you think.

Maybe it starts small – you hear whispers of a company restructure or you notice your workload doubling with no explanation. Before you know it, you’re in full-blown panic mode because panic just has this way of sneaking up on you until it overwhelms you. Your brain is a swirling storm of worst-case scenarios and you’re bouncing between fight, flight, or freeze responses, wondering what’s the most appropriate right now.

Here’s the thing about panic: it’s not just unproductive, it can be self-sabotaging. When you withdraw into yourself, obsess over problems, or act impulsively, you’re not solving anything. You’re just adding fuel to the fire. Panic keeps you stuck in a reactive mindset where opportunities slip through your fingers because you’re too busy bracing for disaster. 

Pivoting gives you a chance to flip the script. Instead of letting uncertainty control you, you can take the reins and steer your career in a direction that works for you. Pivoting doesn’t mean pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. It means acknowledging the chaos, assessing the situation, and figuring out how to move forward strategically and use this moment of uncertainty to your advantage. 

Think of pivoting as a calculated way of adjusting your strategy and finding another way to reach your goal. It might not be the path you originally planned, but it just might get you to where you want to go, no matter what’s happening around you.

So, how exactly do you pivot when things aren’t going according to plan? It’s not about winging it – it’s about being deliberate, thoughtful, and proactive. 

Here’s a four-step process for those times when your career takes an unexpected left turn: 

Step 1: Stop

Before you do anything, just stop and take a moment to breathe. Stop refreshing your email and stop venting to your coworker about how screwed you think you are.

This is where you press pause and resist the temptation to react impulsively. Panicking feels productive in the moment (adrenaline does that), but it rarely leads to anything useful. Instead, carve out a little breathing room – whether that’s a few minutes, a day, or even a weekend. You can’t pivot effectively if you’re running on adrenaline and anxiety. Do what you can to get your emotions in check so that you can think clearly. Taking a brisk walk around the block can really help to reset your brain. 

Step 2: Assess

Now that you’re not in fight-or-flight mode, it’s time to assess the situation. Step back and evaluate what’s actually happening here. Write it all down if you need to – externalizing your thoughts can make things seem less overwhelming. Ask yourself: 

• What’s at the root of this challenge? 
• Is it temporary or does it signal a bigger shift?
• What are the immediate consequences or are there opportunities hidden in this mess? 
• What aspects of this are within my control? 
• What are my priorities? 

The goal is to determine what this challenge really means for you, personally. Maybe your company is restructuring, and your role is at risk. Perhaps a project fell through unexpectedly, and your boss is looking to you for answers. Whatever it is, define the problem and identify the most pressing needs. Clarity is key here. 

Step 3: Strategize

Once you’ve assessed the situation, it’s time to adjust your game plan. Now that you know what you’re up against, it’s time to map out your strategy. This is where your flexibility comes in. You may need to let go of your original plan and embrace an entirely new one. Be open to exploring different paths, even if they’re not what you initially envisioned for how this would go. Remember, adaptability is one of your superpowers. 

Start by brainstorming options. Don’t limit yourself to the obvious ones – be creative. Then, evaluate those options based on feasibility, potential outcomes, and alignment with your long-term goals. 

For example, if a restructuring has put your job at risk, your strategies might include: networking to explore internal opportunities, updating your resume and seeing what else is out there, or using this opportunity to upskill in a high demand area. 

It’s easy to get caught up in the problems, but that won’t get you anywhere. Instead, shift your focus to solutions. What steps can you take to address the challenge? Who can help you? What resources do you have at your disposal that you can leverage? By focusing on what you can do, you can reclaim your sense of agency. 

Step 4: Act

You’ve assessed the situation and you’ve mapped out your new strategy. Now, it’s ‘go’ time. The key here is to start small – take one manageable step forward. Action not only moves you closer to a solution, but also builds momentum and confidence. 

If your first step doesn’t work, no problem. That’s why you’ve created a flexible plan. Adjust, recalibrate and keep going. Pivoting isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. 

You can’t expect everything to be smooth sailing. Along the way, you’ll likely face resistance, both from external circumstances and your own internal barriers. As you navigate the unexpected, there are a few things to keep your eye on to prevent getting derailed: your emotional resistance, getting stuck in analysis-paralysis, external pushback, and the temptation to retreat. 

Uncertainty has a sneaky way of overwhelming us emotionally. You may be feeling frustrated, unappreciated, or just plain scared. It could also be a combination of everything, all at once. Recognize these triggers for what they are: emotional responses, not facts. Once you identify them, you can manage them more effectively. In my experience, journaling my feelings or talking it out with a trusted friend seemed to work wonders in helping me regain perspective and stop the downward spiral of catastrophizing. 

But, be aware that it can be easy to get stuck in the ‘assess’ phase, overanalyzing every potential outcome, in what commonly is referred to as analysis-paralysis. While analyzing the situation is important, don’t let it become an excuse to avoid action. At some point, you’ve got to channel that energy into something productive. 

Sometimes, the resistance comes from outside, in the form of pushback. Maybe a manager dismisses your ideas, or a colleague undermines your efforts. Pivoting often requires you to advocate for yourself and your plan, which can feel uncomfortable. Stay calm, communicate clearly, and lean on your support network for backup, if needed. 

When things get hard, there’s a natural temptation to retreat – to play small, avoid risks, and wait for the storm to pass. But, if you don’t step up, you might miss the chance to get your career back on track. So, resist the urge to shrink. Keep showing up, even when it’s tough. 

If pivoting feels like a daunting task, don’t worry. Like any skill, it gets easier with practice. Here are four strategies that can help: 

1. Build a Resilience Toolkit: Think of it as your career emergency kit. Start by putting aside some money so you have a bit of a financial buffer to relieve some of the stress in uncertain times. Reach out to your connections, take advantage of professional development opportunities, and prepare a list of your transferable skills. When the unexpected happens, you’ll have what you need to respond quickly and confidently. 
2. Embrace Flexibility: A rigid mindset will only hold you back. Instead of viewing challenges as roadblocks, see them as opportunities to grow. Sure, it’s cliche, but it works. Every pivot is a chance to learn something new about yourself and refine your career goals. No plan is foolproof, so build flexibility into yours. Set goals, but be willing to adapt how you’ll reach them as circumstances change. Just going through the effort of putting together a plan, even if it has to change, puts you light years ahead of most people who will never bother. 
3. Celebrate Progress: Every step forward is progress. Even small wins deserve recognition because they help you keep your momentum going. They’re proof that you’re moving in the right direction, no matter how messy the process may feel. 
4. Maintain Perspective: Remember, setbacks are temporary. The lessons and skills you gain from pivoting will serve you well in the long run because career paths tend to be a bit of a winding journey rather than a straight line. Expect that they will twist, turn, and occasionally loop back on themselves. If you’ve been in the workforce for more than a few years, you’ve probably experienced at least one sudden, unexpected challenge that has left you questioning everything.

When faced with these career disruptions, it’s easy to spiral into panic or become stuck overthinking everything. But remember, setbacks don’t have to be dead ends. With the right strategies, you can pivot – adapting to change in a way that not only gets you unstuck, but sets you up for long-term growth and empowerment. 

Your career will likely involve multiple pivots. Whether it’s adjusting your goals, taking on an expanded role, or even switching industries, adaptability is the name of the game. Pivoting isn’t just about reacting to what’s happening; it’s about taking deliberate, thoughtful action to move forward. Each pivot makes you more versatile and resilient. 

One of the biggest pitfalls in uncertain times is wasting energy on things you can’t control. You can’t stop an organizational restructuring, fix the behavior of toxic colleagues, or magically get your project back on track with the wave of your hand. What you can control is your response, your strategy, and your mindset. Focus on those and try to let the rest go. 

At times like these, don’t underestimate the power of leaning on others. Your mentors, colleagues, and friends can offer perspective, advice, and emotional support. They’ve probably been through similar challenges, since no industry seems immune to periods of uncertainty and they might help you see options you may have overlooked. Just make sure you’re reaching out to people who lift you up, not drag you down.

Navigating a career pivot can be exhausting, both mentally and emotionally. While most advice focuses on updating our resumes, networking, and learning new skills, few acknowledge how fear, self-doubt, and even grief over a lost opportunity can cloud our judgment and derail our progress. The surprising truth is that building emotional resilience – by acknowledging and processing these feelings – is what creates the mental space needed to pivot effectively. 

Instead of suppressing emotions or pretending everything’s fine, those who navigate uncertainty best learn to name their feelings, recognize their triggers, and work through them without letting them take over. This emotional self-awareness not only helps you stay grounded, but also strengthens your decision-making and adaptability, allowing you to see setbacks as temporary and manageable rather than career-ending disasters. 

It’s not just about what you do to pivot, but how you feel during the process that determines your ability to emerge stronger. So, give yourself permission to change your mind or pursue a different direction – it’s your career after all. 

Life is going to throw you curveballs, it always has, and it always will. But, the way you respond is entirely up to you. You can let fear and panic keep you stuck, or you can choose to pivot – to pause, assess, strategize and act with purpose. 

Pivoting isn’t about avoiding challenges; it’s about turning them into opportunities. It’s about proving to yourself that you’re adaptable, capable, and resilient, no matter what comes your way. 

So, the next time your working world gets flipped upside down, take a deep breath, grab this four-step process and focus on working with what is within your control so that you can embrace the possibilities in the uncertainty that you are experiencing right now. 

And that’s it for this episode of Stop Sabotaging Your Success. Remember to download your Guide to Creating Your Pivot Plan at cindyesliger.com/podcast, episode one hundred and sixty-one.

Thank you to our producer, Alex Hochhausen and everyone at Astronomic Audio. Get in touch, I’m on Instagram @cindyesliger. My email address is info@cindyesliger.com. 

If you enjoy listening to this podcast, you have to come check out The Confidence Collective. It’s my monthly coaching program where we dig a little deeper into what’s holding you back in your career and we find the workarounds. We help you overcome the barriers and create the career you want. Join me over at cindyesliger.com/join. I’d love to have you join me in The Confidence Collective.  

Until next week, I’m Cindy Esliger. Thanks for listening.