On the Grief of Changes and Pivots (and a LEGO shoutout)
Changes and pivots take many forms, so I apply a broad definition to them: it is about any adjustment that takes us in a different direction from where we are now. This week, our Community Coffee Hour discussion started there: identifying what change or pivot each of us are facing and what blockers and barriers come up as part of them.
The specifics can vary widely, from shifting our perception of who we are and what our role is in our current environment to exploring what is possible (and desirable!) for our next career move to feel adequate and comfortable when we level up within our current environment. But here is the catch: the more we dive into these pivots, and we look into what is holding us back, the more we see the common threads.
For example, any and all pivots bring within them a fair share of uncertainty. In fact, there is a dual nature to them: our pivots force us to confront how we see and define ourselves just as much as they expose us to others’ perceptions of who we are and who we are used to being. That discomfort is a big part of the uncertainty we face, which can fuel our sense of self-doubt and shaking confidence. But it can also nurture our sense of curiosity for what is possible…
Either way, what we knew is, or will, no longer be in the same way. That brings up an undeniable sense of grief that we often disregard when we are in the midst of identifying, strategizing, and planning what is next. But it plays an important role, because more often than not, that grief is part of what shapes our behavior, and it can make us want to hold on a little bit longer to what we used to know. This grief and its discomfort is like the “You’re Crazy Grasp” Lego sculpture by Nathan Sawaya in his latest exhibit, The Art of the Brick. The first time I saw it live last year, I teared up (if you are in the DC metro area, go check it out here!). Sawaya knows a thing or two about pivots: he was a lawyer who decided to take the leap to become a full-time Lego artist, and this sculpture speaks to “breaking away from the negativity” he faced from others. I would argue that it applies to the internal experience we go through internally as well.
"You're Crazy Grasp" by Nathan Sawaya, The Art of the Brick Exhibit. I took this photo in August 2024 at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, PA.
But there is a second part to our changes and pivots: our storytelling. In this case, the stories we tell ourselves about ourselves, which also inform what we see possible and how we go about it. In our discussion on Tuesday, we also explored that further, landing into the concept of the T-generalist (turns out the original label is “T-shaped” but I like my spin better). But I am going to leave this as a teaser for what will land in your inbox next week…
For now, I am going to share with you something I said to my business coach this week: “I need to stop holding on to all of these identities and who I was if I want to really be who I am now.”
What space, identity or story are you holding on to that is holding your back from your change or pivot?
I look forward to hearing from you on this.
See you at our next Community Coffee Hour!
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Resources
Here are some resources I found helpful.
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Research & networks resources
Are you studying Afro-Latinx communities in the U.S.? The Miriam Jiménez Román Fellowship is designed for PhD candidates, post-doctoral candidates, and junior scholars whose research advances the study of Afro-Latinx communities in the U.S. The fellowship is open to all fields. More on it here. Application is open until April 30th.
Interested in geospatial technology? FedGeoDay is coming on April 22! Learn the from government and industry experts latest geospatial trends and use cases. More information and tickets here.
Women Who Code is back! If you are looking for a community of professionals seeking to expand on their quantitative skills and support one another through it, do not hesitate. Check out their relaunch post here and get involved!
Recommendations
Here are a few recommendations I share based on what I am reading and watching these days.
Do you have any to share? Reply to this email so we can include them in the list next week!
You can find lists on Career and Personal Development, Entrepreneurship, and my Personal Favorites.
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Remember: this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as legal, financial, or medical advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace professional advice of your own attorney, accountant, physician, or financial advisor. Always check with your own physician, attorney, financial advisor, accountant, or other business or medical professional before trying or implementing any information read here.
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