Thinking of a Career Pivot? Here’s How Positive Psychology Can Help.
- Mar 9
- 4 min read
Have you ever had one of those ‘what am I doing with my life!’ moments? When the path you’re on just doesn’t feel right for you anymore. It could be a flash of insight following one of life’s bumps in the road. Maybe it’s a quieter realisation – a persistent tug at the back of your mind calling you to a new adventure.
Well that moment is the beginning of a pivot.
I like to think of a pivot as a step towards authenticity. Letting go of the old stories of who we thought we were or who others expected us to be, and making a more active choice for ourselves. A new direction that feels more meaningful and aligned.
Positive Psychology: Your Guide Through Career Pivots and Other Transitions
Pivots are going to become more common. The world of work is changing, faster and faster, and we are working longer. There is time for a second – maybe even a third – career! And Positive Psychology can be a fantastic guide as we navigate those transitions.
Positive Psychology shifts our focus from where we feel less skilful, and instead encourages us to notice what we do well. It helps us pay attention to our strengths and resources, it supports us to understand our purpose. This self-awareness is key if you are thinking about a change in direction.
A pivot takes courage. It takes resilience. You will need to try new things, stretch your comfort zones. But you will also start to recognise what is already working for you; those skills and tools that are transferable, that you can take to new roles.
Positive Psychology can give you the mindset as well as some practical frameworks to support you with this self-inventory.
The PERMA Model: Recognising What You Need to Thrive
PERMA, developed by Martin Seligman (2011), can help you get curious about what, for you, creates a fulfilling life. It stands for:
• Positive Emotions• Engagement• Relationships• Meaning• Accomplishment
Checking where you are with each of these elements can give you clues to why you’re feeling the call to a change. It directs your attention to what you might need more of to create the satisfaction you’re after.
Positive Emotions - These are the small sparks, things like joy, interest, awe, contentment. We need a few of these in our daily life. They might be fleeting, but they matter. Ask yourself: How much sparkle is there in your life right now? Are there things you used to do that brought you joy you’ve let slip?
Engagement - This is about those moments when time simply disappears because you’re absorbed in something meaningful or challenging. Work doesn’t have to be fun, fun, fun to get into flow, it needs to be something you care about and are good at, so you feel fully immersed. Have you felt that lately?
Relationships - Most of us are wired for connection. Good relationships support us through transitions and encourage us to grow. Who are the people who have your back? Who energises you? Who could you talk to about the ideas bubbling up?
Meaning - This is often the piece that is lacking for people when they are thinking about a pivot. Meaning gives us our why; the sense that our life and our work matters. If your job doesn’t align with your deeper values then it is hard to feel a real sense of purpose from your work.
Accomplishment - Many of us forget to celebrate our achievements, but acknowledging your successes builds your confidence and reminds you of the skills, competencies and experience you already have and your ability to reach your goals.
Give yourself a score from 1 to 10 in each of these categories. Can you see any gaps that suggest a change could be good? Remember, it’s not about judging yourself, it is about understanding yourself and checking in on what you need.
Taking Stock
When you pivot, you are not taking a leap into the unknown. With a personal inventory, you know the skills and resources you have, so you can step forward with confidence.
Resources include:
• skills you’ve built• experiences you’ve gathered• relationships and networks• understanding your strengths • knowledge you’ve gained• mindsets you’ve cultivated
No experience or learning is wasted. Every job, every project, every challenge you have faced has given you something to take with you into your next role.
So make a list. What’s in your kit bag? Communication skills? Empathy? Leadership? Organisation? Creativity? Problem solving? These transferable skills are usually far more valuable than we realise.
There may be gaps in your skills and knowledge that you identify as you do this inventory. Recognising those is the first step so you can plan how and where to bridge this gap, maybe with training, volunteering or work shadowing. Have conversations. Find out your options and take one small step at a time.
Setting Your Mindset For Pivot
Change often feels uncomfortable, even when we know we want and need it! That’s why your mindset matters.
When you feel you have agency in a situation – if the pivot feels like an active choice you are making – you can approach it with curiosity rather than fear. You can see possibilities instead of threat. You will feel more empowered, braver.
If you own your pivot, it becomes a story of you finding who you were born to be and what you were born to do. When you see yourself as embracing that challenge with motivation and courage it makes a huge difference. Instead of ‘I’m too old for this,’ try telling yourself (and others) ‘I get to choose differently now.’ Instead of ‘I don’t know enough,’ try ‘I can learn as I go.’
You don’t need things to be perfect. You don’t need to have the full plan in place.
Once you have your vision and then start taking the small steps. You can course correct if you need to as you progress.
Your Next Chapter Starts With Curiosity
If you’re standing at a crossroads right now, take a breath. Look inwards. Take some to time to reflect, honestly, gently and with curiosity. Follow those breadcrumbs of good conversations and ideas. Notice what sparks your interest and fills you with positive emotions.
Then take one small action; an small experiment, give something a ‘Yes’.
A pivot is not about becoming someone new, it’s about becoming more you.
