"Whatever it takes."
On working with what is.
The other day, I was doing my usual “breakfast + YouTube” combo when I came across this video by Lisa Nichols. Nichols is a renowned motivational speaker whose story is truly an inspiring one: she went from being a single mom living on public assistance to being an entrepreneur with worldwide recognition.
In the video appropriately titled “The cost of living optional”, while discussing her health & fitness journey, she says:
“I went on diet after diet; probably 19 different diets. I hired trainer after trainer; probably 9 different trainers. I had conversations about it, but I wasn’t willing to be non-negotiable. I wasn’t willing to be radical about it. I wasn’t willing to be inconvenienced for my dreams about it. I just wanted change but I wasn’t willing to do everything, all the time, consistently, long enough to make a difference. (…) And when I became radical several years ago, I didn’t ask: “What do I have to do?”. I said: “I’ll do whatever.”.”
This part stuck with me and I found myself rewatching it again and again these past few days. (I still do.)
I think of how, on my road to studying to become a QA tester, I tend to juggle between learning materials instead of diving directly into the uncomfortable and unfamiliar (#Javascript) unless I consciously make a decision, again and again, day after day, to stick with the current program.
To believe that there will be days for adding layers onto the foundation but right now, it’s all about building the foundation.
And that means sticking with one big thing until it’s not so big anymore. Until it’s familiar.
When I look back on the three years I spent as an entrepreneur, my biggest mistake is super obvious: shifting between different tactics so much that I exhausted myself.
I was 27 and thought that out there was a tactic or strategy that would make all the difference in my company’s development.
One coach says to do Instagram reels. The other praises carousel posts. The third is all about SEO and discoverability. The fourth insists LinkedIn is the place to be.
I was so caught up in trying to find the right thing that I became stuck in trying and choosing and forgot the main thing: staying with something long enough.
Turns out, staying with something through comfort and discomfort *is* actually that thing that makes all the difference in life. I was looking so hard for it.
I should have simply chosen one thing and stayed with it for a while.
(If I were to go entrepreneurship again - and I probably will in 5 or 10 years or so - I would pick a tactic and stay with it for at least a year and then evaluate. My brain will be thankful.)
So now, I’m experimenting with a cute little pairing of beliefs: “I’ll do whatever is needed” and “One by one”.
Not 10 manuals - one.
Not 5 QA courses - one.
Not 4 software tutorials - one.
To familiarize myself with one thing and all the discomfort that usually sounds something like: "Fuck, I’m 31, I should have made this pivot 5 years ago, this should have been done already and I should know this!”.
I don’t need a better learning plan, I need to work with the one I have while that discomfort is there.
I’m willing to be inconvenienced and uncomfortable.
I’m willing to look ridiculous.
And, as much as it (physically) pains me, I’m willing not to hurry myself if things are difficult and ask of me to give them more time and patience.
I’m done looking for a perfect plan.
Instead, I’ll make what I have work for me.
Here’s to things you have working for you and getting you across the bridge, to the other side. ☕
Your “I studied social sciences and the last time I had IT theory was when I was 18 but I will prevail” sidekick,
Andjela
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Welcome to the Career Pivot Diaries where I chronicle my journey from sustainability communications to QA testing! This is where we’ll cover all things career change, such as going from entrepreneurship to 9-to-5, exploring new professional identities, and *finally* updating that dusty CV. Most importantly, we’ll explore how to see ourselves as more than our work and find a sense of safety in choosing a new path while allowing room for creative play.
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