Micro-Pivoting Versus Macro-Pivoting, How It Affects The Paradigm Shift Of A Career Transition

Evolving is a choice. It’s the awareness that you need to grow or develop. Pivoting may not necessarily be a choice. Sometimes you are forced to make a change.

There is a scenario, though, where you can experience both simultaneously. As you embark on a self-development or improvement journey, you may realize that it’s time to transition in your career. It’s time to take a risk on yourself, whether asking for a promotion, starting your own company, switching companies or deciding to change your mindset. You can read hundreds of books on what you want to learn, how to develop a different mindset, and the steps you need to take. But it’s in the action of actually doing it that helps you pivot. You can be on the self-discovery journey for a long time and evolve. When you apply and put what you’re learning into action, you are physically transitioning.

When choosing to pivot, you are acknowledging that you’re ready for the change. As you take the necessary steps to begin the transition and follow through, you are experiencing a paradigm shift. If you were forced to pivot, the paradigm in your situation occurs the moment you no longer resist or resent the change; it’s when you accept where you’re at, embrace what needs to be done and do it. Pivoting is supposed to be the spark that ignites you to level up in your situation. A pure paradigm shift occurs when you accept what is, apply what you know to make a change, and follow through on your actions and intentions.

During this shift, everything is clear. You understand why the change occurred in the first place. You make it a habit to be conscious of your inner dialogue, become extremely laser-focused, work through challenges, celebrate how far you’ve come and remain steadfast.

There are two main categories of pivoting: micro-pivoting and macro-pivoting. Unless you’re an economist, micros and macros of anything can be overwhelming. However, breaking down pivots into categories helps organize the type of experience you’re dealing with and the steps necessary to pivot successfully.

Micro-pivots refer to mindset or strategies, and macro-pivots refer to significant personal and professional life changes.

Micro-Pivots

Think of a micro-pivot as though you’re looking under a microscope at your life. You’re examining the inner workings of an experience. What does that entail? Personal micro-pivots include your attitude, mindset, strategies and internal dialogue. If you’re operating a company or managing a team, the micro-pivots include your leadership style, business strategies, operating systems, etc. These types of pivots are the inner workings of what sets the transition into motion.

All the little micro-pivots affect the macro pivots. It can feel overwhelming if a person is not prepared for that to happen. They think your mindset or strategic plan has zero effect on the macro-pivots. It’s just the opposite. Sometimes, all it takes is a little tweak with a micro-pivot to set yourself up for a successful macro-pivot. But looking under the hood, looking at the micro-pivots, it becomes clearer how one little tweak to something will make all the difference. This is because micro-pivots rely heavily upon setting attainable goals.

Macro-Pivots

Think of macro-pivots as the significant life events you experience. Personal macro-pivots include getting married, moving, returning to school, having children, etc. There are five main professional macro-pivots: being promoted, changing companies, transitioning into another career or industry, being fired or quitting, and starting your own business.

These five categories are usually what people think of when discussing pivoting. One of the biggest keys to successfully pivoting is recognizing you’re in a pivot. Once you acknowledge which situation you’re experiencing, it’s easier to pivot your perception and focus on a new strategy. Understand that what has worked for you in the past may not necessarily work for you in a new situation. You are going to have to address the micro-pivot(s) to manage the macro-pivot.

Macro-pivots that seem scary shouldn’t paralyze you. Take the pandemic, for instance. Millions of people were let go because of the financial ruin from the global crisis. However, many people saw this as an opportunity to do what they always wanted: enter a new industry or start their own companies. They recognized the chance to pivot and jumped in with two feet.

Remember, the only thing that remains constant is change. Focus on the micro-pivots to achieve the macro-pivot goal.