Rise & Shine: Sometimes You Have to Pivot (And That's Not Failure)

Happy Monday!

I had big plans last week.

Videos I've been meaning to record for months were finally on the calendar. Content batching day was scheduled. I was ready to knock it all out.

And then the winter cold hit.

Sore throat. Stuffy nose. Fever. The whole package.

So instead of recording videos, I was on the couch with a blanket and tissues. Not exactly the productive week I had planned.

But here's what I reminded myself (and what I want to remind you):

Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.

I could've spiraled. Felt frustrated about "falling behind." Beat myself up for not pushing through anyway.

But what good would that do?

Instead, I pivoted. Rested. Moved the videos to next week. And gave myself permission to adjust the plan without calling it failure.

Because sometimes the pivot IS the plan.

Pivoting Isn't Just About Sick Days

This lesson goes way beyond catching a cold.

One of my clients came to me feeling stagnant and uncertain about her career path. She wasn't sure if what she'd been building was actually the right fit for her anymore.

Sound familiar?

She also lacked the confidence and framework to advocate for her own growth. She knew she wanted something different — but couldn't articulate what that looked like.

Here's what she said after we worked together:

"I reached out to Alyssa at a point where I felt stagnant and uncertain if the career path I was building was truly the right fit for me. At the time, I also lacked the confidence and the framework needed to effectively advocate for my own growth. But working with Alyssa turned all of that around.

What sets Alyssa apart is her deep, genuine investment in her clients' success — it's clear she truly cares about your outcome, regardless of what direction you choose to take. She was consistently prepared for our sessions, providing high-quality templates and resources that made the process feel manageable and organized. I especially appreciated her responsiveness and her ability to pivot our strategy whenever I wanted to explore a new direction.

Because of our work together, I have gained clarity on the type of role I want to be in and the direction of my career. More importantly, she gave me the practical tools to approach leadership in a thoughtful, well-structured way. If you're looking for a coach who combines genuine empathy with a highly organized, tactical approach, I cannot recommend Alyssa enough."

What I love about her story is this:

What she thought she wanted at the start wasn't what she ended up wanting in the end.

And that's not a failure. That's clarity.

Through our work together, she explored new directions. We pivoted the strategy when something didn't feel right. And she ended up in a place that actually aligned with who she is now — not who she was five years ago.

That's what real career clarity looks like.

Do You Have a Clarity Problem or a Strategy Problem?

If you're feeling stuck right now, it's worth asking: What's actually holding you back?

Because the solution depends on the problem.

Signs you have a CLARITY problem:

• You're applying to roles but nothing feels like a fit

• You can't articulate what you actually want next

• You keep second-guessing whether you're on the right path

• You're saying yes to opportunities because they're available, not because they align

• You feel successful on paper but unfulfilled in reality

Signs you have a STRATEGY problem:

• You know what you want but can't seem to get traction

• You're not getting callbacks despite being qualified

• Your resume and LinkedIn don't tell a clear story

• You're networking but conversations aren't leading anywhere

• You're doing all the "right things" but still not seeing results

Here's what most people get wrong:

They try to fix a clarity problem with strategy tactics. Or they try to fix a strategy problem by going back to square one on clarity.

If you don't know what you want, no amount of resume tweaking will help.

If you know exactly what you want but can't position yourself for it, clarity exercises won't move the needle.

The first step is diagnosing which one you're actually dealing with.

Being OK With Pivoting

Here's something I want you to hear:

Changing your mind isn't failure. It's growth.

The career you wanted five years ago might not be the career you want now. The role you thought was your "dream job" might not actually fit who you've become.

And that's OK.

Too many professionals stay stuck because they feel like pivoting means they wasted time. Like changing direction is admitting they were wrong.

But you weren't wrong. You were growing.

The professionals who get unstuck are the ones who give themselves permission to evolve.

They ask:

• Does this still align with who I am now?

• What would I want if I wasn't afraid of starting over?

• What's the cost of staying where I am vs. making a change?

If something isn't working — whether it's your job, your job search, or your entire career direction — you're allowed to pivot.

In fact, sometimes the pivot is the breakthrough.

Your Invitation: The Confident Leader Summit

If you've been feeling stuck, uncertain, or ready for something different, I have an invitation for you.

I'm speaking at The Confident Leader - Virtual Leadership Summit next month.

📅 Feb 18-20 | 4-6pm EST | Virtual

This is a 3-day summit packed with 9+ sessions led by leadership and career coaches, as well as industry leaders.

My session: "You're Not Underqualified — You're Under-Positioned"

You'll walk away knowing:

✨ How to recognize the early signs of career misalignment (before burnout sets in)

🎯 A clarity framework to identify what's no longer working and what does fit now

💡 How to position yourself confidently for your next move without starting over

This summit is designed for corporate professionals and emerging leaders who are ready to:

• Own their voice

• Expand their influence

• Step confidently into their next level

Plus, every speaker is giving away a free digital resource to help you grow in 2026.

👉 Register here: [The Confident Leader Summit]

If you've been waiting for a sign to get intentional about your career — this is it.

The Bottom Line

Life is going to happen.

Colds will derail your plans. Career paths will shift. What you thought you wanted will evolve.

The question isn't whether things will change. The question is how you'll respond when they do.

Will you spiral? Or will you pivot?

The professionals who build careers they actually love aren't the ones who never face setbacks. They're the ones who adapt, adjust, and keep moving forward with clarity.

So whether you're dealing with a sick week, a stalled job search, or a career that no longer fits — give yourself permission to pivot.

It's not failure. It's progress.

Cheering you on,

💛 Alyssa

P.S. — If you're thinking "I don't want to figure this out alone," I get it. That's exactly why I offer free 30-minute discovery calls. No sales pitch — just clarity. [Book yours here.]

Thanks for reading Rise & Shine by Rise Up Career Coaching.

This newsletter is for high-performing professionals who feel stuck, overlooked, or unsure of their next move — and want a clearer, smarter way to navigate the modern job market.

Here, I share real talk about:

• Getting clear on what you actually want next

• Navigating job searches without mass applying

• Networking in ways that actually lead to conversations

• Interviewing with confidence (even if you’re rusty)

• Negotiating offers without leaving money or opportunity on the table

The job market has changed, but most career advice hasn’t. I’m here to help you stop guessing and start moving forward with clarity and strategy.

I'm here to change that.

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ALYSSA BAILEY is a Certified Professional Career Coach who helps high-performing professionals get unstuck and land roles that match who they are now. With 15+ years of corporate experience, she’s guided clients through career transitions, interviews, and negotiations — helping them turn experience into opportunity.

If you’re done waiting for clarity or the “right time,” this is your sign.

Your next role won’t come from working harder. It comes from having the right strategy.

Let’s make your next move — intentionally.

P.S. If you’ve been thinking about making a change “someday,” remember: clarity doesn’t come from waiting. It comes from action.

Let's make your next move. Contact me today.

To read past Rise & Shine newsletters, you can find them here.