The PIVOT

PIVOT. One of the most overused terms during the challenges of the past year or so. Now, here I go writing an entire article about it. But, why?

Well, whether I write about it or not, whether I call it a pivot or not, the pivot is something that I definitely did and witnessed others do as well. I’ve found the lessons gained through this experience to be profound, and so, as with other good things in my life, I want to share these lessons with you. Have you experienced a pivot recently?

In a recent IGTV interview with @theconquernetwork, I spoke about the pivot. In that interview, I explained that one of the first times, if not the first time, I heard the term “pivot” was as a child playing netball in Jamaica, West Indies. Netball is a sport similar to basketball. Although basketball includes pivoting too, one major difference is that, in netball, there is no dribbling or running with the ball, but there is a lot of pivoting. Pivoting is actually quite central in netball. Catch the ball and shoot, or pivot in order to try to find a teammate who is open. This entire netball flashback provided the outline for what has been revealed to me about the PIVOT, that is:

· P for Planted

· I for Intelligence

· V for Vision

· O for Opportunities

· T for Take flight

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Before I get into the deep, larger scale stuff, let me address those who still read this blog primarily for travel inspiration. I’ll quickly illustrate how we have had to personally pivot in relation to travel. We have stayed physically PLANTED at home for approximately a year and a half thus far [venturing out only to places relatively close to home] and spiritually PLANTED in our faith, believing that this pause/standstill in our global travels is only for a temporary while. We have gathered information/INTELLIGENCE about the reason for the global pause on travel, and we have also gathered information/INTELLIGENCE on options available to us at present and potential options for the future. We have a VISION to safely travel the world, adding to the travels we’ve already experienced. We have the OPPORTUNITY to (1) travel right now [in the midst of a global pandemic] in a much more limited way than before or (2) stay put at home/near home until we are more confident about safety measures domestically and across the globe. We also have the OPPORTUNITY to be vaccinated to help slow and potentially stop the spread of a deadly virus, and to be able to travel safely again. We are TAKING FLIGHT by getting vaccinated and by researching and planning future travels!

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Now… On to some larger scale life lessons that also help to explain the shift in content on this blog and social media channels from travel content to more general lifestyle content where I am that mommy friend who shares, listens, and encourages…

PLANTED

In order to successfully pivot, you must be firmly planted. One foot stays firm while the other foot moves you in the direction you are to go. Being planted is symbolic of one’s foundation, which for me is my faith. Faith, core values and beliefs are all things upon which we build. So, when the time comes to pivot, the extent to which we are firmly rooted will determine whether we successfully pivot or topple over. One cannot pivot without one foot firmly planted because, if not planted, that person can actually topple over.

For me, I am thankful for my faith in God and for the prayer chord He led me to in March 2020 that came together from then until early 2021. Every morning at 6 AM, we got on the phone line and prayed. Even if one of us wasn’t on the line, we knew the scriptures and prayers were going forward and going up at that time, and it was powerful! That has served as a planting in my life, especially during this season. Daily, we prayed for individuals, some by name and some by category, including the ill, the grieving, and frontline workers, and we prayed for the world. We also prayed personally and for each other, including the prayer chord lifting me in prayer before, during and after heart surgery. One of a number of things I prayed for during that time, and that my brothers and sisters prayed for is clarity of my purpose, in particular, as it relates to my profession and work life. I say that because, as is evidenced through this blog, website and my social media presence, the content I share has shifted over the past 6 months or so, and I am walking in faith and obedience about what to share.

Photo Credit: Sequoyah Daniel Photography

INTELLIGENCE

The intelligence required during the pivot is not about book smarts, but one of surveying one’s surroundings like an investigator or spy. As one foot remains planted, and the other foot moves you around, just like in netball or basketball, your eyes and ears must be open to observe what is taking place around you in order for you to determine what your next move should be.

For me, as we sat still during the world’s shutdown and quarantine, I made observations about my family and our home, as those are the people I spent the most time with and home is where we spent most of that time. After surgery in June 2020, and as I recovered during medical leave that summer, I took in a lot of information as I scrolled through Instagram and started listening to accomplished content creators, particularly Mattie James, who has not only built a solid career and lifestyle through blogging and creating content, but she also teaches others how to create good content. I gathered information, and I took notes. As a matter of fact, I am still gathering information and taking notes. That is an ongoing process.

VISION

During a pivot, it is important to keep one’s already established vision in mind. In netball or basketball, the vision is likely to win the game. Therefore, the information being gathered should then be combined with the planting that exists in order to propel you closer to the vision. Keeping the one foot planted, so as not to turn the ball over to the other team propels you closer to the vision. Looking around and listening for your teammates’ and coach’s voices as you gather intelligence also propels you closer to the vision. Keeping the vision in mind helps to ensure that you aren’t just out there spinning in circles.

For me, I’ve had a vision to operate in my purpose in a manner that will be beneficial to others and fulfilling to me. That is one of the reasons that I asked the prayer chord to lift up my purpose in prayer. When I first started listening to Mattie James, taking notes, and when I joined her Bossfluence group, I didn’t necessarily connect all of that with the fact that I had prayed for clarity of purpose. Connecting those dots happened much more recently.

OPPORTUNITIES

During a pivot, opportunities will inevitably present themselves. However, it is important to recognize whether each opportunity aligns with the vision. In netball or basketball, the other team will be moving around the court also, and while you could throw the ball to the other team, that does not align with the vision of your team winning the game, so that is obviously an opportunity that you do not want to take. Some things aren’t as obvious, but (1) where you are planted, (2) the intelligence you’ve gathered, and (3) the distance and route to the vision all help tremendously in being able to tell which opportunities align. There may be an opportunity to throw the ball (1) to your open team member who is further away from you but closer to the net/basket, (2) to your team member who is right next to you, or (3) to the team member who is known to always make the shot but who is being swarmed or heavily guarded.

For me, opportunities have presented themselves during this pivot. Opportunities for new employment, the opportunity to continue working my full-time job and to gradually build My Cruising Family, LLC as it pivots in purpose, messaging, branding, etc., the opportunity to leave my stable full-time job and focus on building this business, and the opportunity to not build this business at all. Opportunities to work with brands have presented themselves, and although folks on social media are probably seeing me advertise more brands than they’ve seen me advertise before, what a lot of folks are not seeing are all the brands that I have said no to because they do not align with my vision. Creating content is work, so when I put the work in, I am choosing to do so for a good reason, and if that reason involves another brand, then there is alignment.

TAKE FLIGHT

While planted, and after observing your surroundings, gathering intelligence, being focused on the vision, and weighing each opportunity, it’s time to take flight! This means it’s time to make a decision and move on it. In netball or basketball, players can shoot the ball, pass the ball, or whatever the decision is, but what is certain is that a decision must be made so the game can progress.

At present, I make the decision to take flight each day, researching and learning more about various elements of this journey AND DOING THE WORK! Reading God’s Word, praying, reading personal development and business development books, listening to Mattie James and other content creators, meeting, learning from, and exchanging ideas with other content creators, and actually planning and creating content that is authentic, yet strategic. I’ve partnered with some brands, and look forward to partnering with others. However, most of the content I plan, prepare, and share aren’t tied to any other brand. I AM my brand. So, the many sides of content you see me share reflect various components of me: my faith; my love for God, my family and friends; my challenges as a working wife and mom; my passion for sharing God’s Word; my passion for creating content; my love for travel; and more.

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been placed in a position to pivot, especially during the past year or so. However, how many of us have taken flight towards the vision for our lives? If you haven’t yet taken flight, look back and check where you are with respect to the other steps discussed here: planted, intelligence, vision, and opportunities. That will give you an idea of what is needed in order for you to safely and successfully take flight.

I hope this is helpful, and if you find it to be so, please share with others.

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The Merriam-Webster online dictionary defines “Pivot” as the following [the bold emphasis is added]:

· a shaft or pin on which something turns

· a person, thing, or factor having a major or central role, function, or effect [a key player or position, specifically, an offensive position of a basketball player standing usually with back to the basket to relay passes, shoot, or provide a screen for teammates]

· the action of pivoting, especially the action in basketball of stepping with one foot while keeping the other foot at its point of contact with the floor

The PIVOT

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