Things Don’t Have to Stay as What They Started Out As: Embracing the Pivot
Why This Topic Matters
We’re often told to pick a path and stick to it. But what if the path you started on no longer fits the person you’ve become? This thought hit me while reading Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree. One line in particular stayed with me:
“Things don’t have to stay as what they started out as.”
That line felt personal. It put words to something I’ve lived. Whether it’s your career, your identity, or your purpose, you are allowed to change. More than that, you’re allowed to grow into something that feels more aligned.
Your Starting Point Doesn’t Define Your Future
My career started in microbiology, then moved into data and tech. Now, I coach and consult with neurodivergent professionals and mid-career women. None of it was wasted. Every stage gave me tools I still use today — from problem-solving and systems thinking to empathy and adaptability.
But the biggest shift wasn’t what I did — it was who I gave myself permission to become.
Research Insight: Career Adaptability
Research from the Journal of Vocational Behavior and Career Development International shows that career change is not only common, it’s healthy. Experts call this career adaptability, the capacity to manage transitions and shape your path with intention.
Career adaptability includes:
Concern for your future
A sense of control over your choices
Curiosity to explore new paths
Confidence to take action even when it feels unfamiliar
These are skills you can learn. Coaching can help you build them.
The “Should” Trap That Keeps You Stuck
A lot of us stay in roles or careers because we feel like we should.
Because we’ve already spent so much time in one lane.
Because it’s what people expect.
Because change feels risky.
But here’s the thing… staying in something that no longer fits is also a risk. It takes a toll on your confidence, your energy, and your sense of purpose.
You’re allowed to want something different. You’re allowed to evolve.
You’re Not Starting Over, You’re Building on What You’ve Done
I hear this fear from clients all the time: “But I’ve only ever done this one thing. What else could I do?”
The truth is, your skills are more transferable than you think. My background in science gave me analytical thinking and pattern recognition, which helped me thrive in tech and now helps me guide clients through transformation.
Whether you’ve worked in healthcare, education, finance, or any other field, you’ve already developed capabilities that will support your next step. When you pair those skills with clarity, coaching, and support, your path becomes much clearer.
You’re Not Stuck, You’re Becoming
You are not too late. You’re not too far behind. You haven’t missed your chance.
You are evolving. And evolving often means letting go of roles or identities that no longer fit , so you can step into something new that honors who you are now.
If you're at a turning point and asking “what’s next?” — this is your sign. You don’t have to stay in something just because it’s where you started.
✨ If you're ready to explore what’s possible, I’d love to support you. Schedule your complementary consultation today!
