There’s a lot of talk about pivoting in the world of work. And, when you’re freelance, I think, in particular, as we move between our different roles, adding new ways to earn, connect or to what we offer.

I’ve always said I’m pivoting - from journalism to coaching, as well as from the type of journalism I do to another… but I realised this week during a coaching session (me as client, not coach), that actually it’s not so much a pivot as ‘phasing’. And it’s changed my whole outlook on my goals and how I feel about my freelance life.

When you think about a pivot, it feels very definite - it’s a seesaw, it’s a pendulum, it’s the turn of a compass… it’s a moment, that happens, one you perhaps work towards, set goals for and even a date when it’ll happen.

That was me a year ago - I’d started my coaching course and I was ready to begin the pivot from Journalist Jenny to Coach Jenny. I was determined to make a big change, to leave the former behind, and launch into the latter. I was ‘over’ being a journalist and ready for a new freelance life along with a house move and dogs.

Only, during the process of the course I realised that I needed Journo Jenny in order to be Coach Jenny, which left me in something of a quagmire. Which was I? And, had I failed at pivoting? Was I letting myself down by still being a writer as well as trying to build a business as a coach? What about anyone I’d told I was ditching the writing forever?!

The session this week which helped me find clarity (and, bear in mind this clarity has come after over a year of exploring it!), was with Stephanie Benfield, and, as I realised I was phasing, it made me think of all the things I didn’t have to leave behind so suddenly.

I might still do some writing for a client I’ve worked with for years - I don’t have to close 'ALL THE DOORS’ before I open new ones.

Then came a fun part - I began to think about celebrities who are also more of a phase than a pivot. Victoria Beckham, Reese Witherspoon, the Kardashians (all of them master of the portfolio career, right?)… from actors who now produce, to celebs who have their own vitamin ranges, or advertise make up, or have started their own website (yes, you know who I mean). There are still parts of the ‘old them’ they bring to the ‘new them’ table.

When we ‘phase’, we give ourselves permission to move more slowly, and without such fanfare. We say that it’s ok to look back as well as forwards, and we don’t have to have a big ‘goodbye’ with the ‘old us’, more of a ‘see you soon… see you sometime…’ type of feeling.

There’s a relief as the pressure to pivot changes to the feeling of fluidity. This could be taking on a long-term contract, or a part time freelance gig - it’s all very personal.

But when we move with phasing, not pivoting, in mind, we’re allowing ourselves to take each day as it comes, with less pressure on the ‘new move’. That, in turn, can help open our eyes to what else might be good in the mix. We try things out without them having to be the ‘be all and end all’ of our next step.

Does this relate for you? If it does, do let me know, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Have you made a freelance pivot, or are you in a phase stage? Are you keen to make changes but not sure how? It’s a strange old world, as we often wear our work hearts on our sleeves, whether that’s on a website, social media or to other freelancers. I feel like I’m often having to define myself perhaps in a way someone in a ‘real job’ doesn’t.

And the extra bonus to phasing not pivoting is the fun, the autonomy and excitement of saying you’re doing something new. Of adding ‘podcaster’ to your CV, or finding new clients, new contracts - of adding your work to your website on your terms.

So here’s to the phasing, the new pivoting!

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