“Who tells your story?”

On July 3, 2020 millions of people accessed Disney+, many for the first time, to stream Lin Manuel Miranda’s masterpiece Hamilton. Like so many others I had long memorized the entire musical word-for-word, but I’m among the lucky few who has also seen Hamilton live on Broadway. (It was a 30th birthday gift to my wife - big husband points on that one). Though there are many iconic lines, in July 2020 it was “Who tells your story?” that shined brightest. We were just a few months into a public health crisis that brought the entire world to its knees. Collectively we were terrified for our lives and loved ones. Many of us had already lost. When death and devastation surround us, it’s only natural to consider our legacy. Few of us ever make a contribution to the world that warrants even a footnote in the history books. Yet we do battle every day, each in our own way. And just because the world-at-large isn’t changed by our efforts doesn’t mean those efforts aren’t valuable, meaningful, or worth sharing.

The Resilient

Since the start of the pandemic I’d had private conversations with dozens if not hundreds of small business owners, entrepreneurs, freelancers, and artists. These were ordinary people engaged in a Sisyphusian-like war, pushing their rock up the hill of COVID only to watch it roll back down, trudge after it, take a deep breath, and start over. Over and over and over… with no end in sight. And nobody noticed. Social media was full of doctors, nurses, and teachers, who all rightly deserved praise, compassion, and attention for their efforts. But they weren’t the only people hurting, they were just the most visible. What about the guy who holds the microphone above actors in the film industry, completely out of work and caring for his wife with COVID while managing his teenage daughters’ shift to distance learning, after having recently blown their life’s savings on a freak household repair? What about the Executive Director of a nonprofit organ donation organization who was no longer able to have face-to-face conversations with grieving families in order to secure critical donations needed to save thousands of lives? What about the personal trainer whose livelihood disappeared when gyms were forced to close? What about the owner of a small consulting firm who 10 full-time employees rely on to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads? There are millions of stories like these, of ordinary people facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.

What's your rock?

In The Myth of Sisyphus, 20th century philosopher Albert Camus wrote this of the legendary Greek figure:

“Happiness and the absurd are two sons of the same earth. They are inseparable. … All Sisyphus’ silent joy is contained therein. His fate belongs to him. His rock is his thing. Likewise, the absurd man, when he contemplates his torment, silences all the idols. … The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”

Conversation after conversation with Pivoters, as I would come to call them, I was struck by their optimism, resilience, and creativity. Despite all the devastation - or perhaps because of it - people managed to find and lean into silver linings. They made the rock their thing. So in November 2020 I started inviting some of these people to record a casual conversation about their pandemic Pivot on my podcast Beyond Networking. Each week I published a newsletter with a “Pivot Pearl” from that week’s episode. You’ll find all of the full conversations at https://YearOfThePivot.com, but in this article I’ve compiled my favorite 10 lessons, presented in no particular order. Use these Pearls to guide you through the next big change in your life or career. I learned so much from my guests this season, and I hope you do too. Click the Pivoter’s name next to each Pearl for a direct link to their episode.

Pivot Pearls

When faced with a seemingly impossible task, try artificially restricting your available tools to just 2 or 3. This will eliminate option-paralysis and free you to move forward.When you take total responsibility for your own actions and outcomes, you also gain the power to navigate through any conflict. Instead of lamenting everything you’ve lost, choose to be excited about what new things you can create. When in doubt, take action in a way that will improve the lives and experiences of others. Let generosity and kindness light the way. If you don’t understand the business you’re in, you’ll never make good long term decisions. Figure out what your customers, clients, or fans really want.When you make efficiency a priority, you’re going to cut corners. People need to be safe, feel seen, and have their socks knocked off above all else. Better first, faster last.When faced with an unexpected change, step back and consider what makes you happy, strong, and confident. Let that guide your next move.It’s useful to separate who you are from what you do. That distinction will free you to explore new opportunities instead of being bound to the way things used to be.When presented with a huge, unexpected challenge, resist the urge to say, “No, but...” Instead, say, “Yes, and…”

Stop cringing. Start connecting.

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