Knowing When to Pivot
The end of the quarter has proved joyful, but quite thought provoking. So much so that I had a lot to digest around a huge lack of energy last week. I had things that did not pan out the right way and a sermon made me realize I had not fully pivoted from what did not work to what I should do next. I stalled on a lot of things that were not considered easy or fun brain work.
The great thing is that God only needs what we have, and that will be enough. He will do the multiplying just like He did with the five loves and two fish that fed five thousand. We may not see it like those people did. It may come in glimpses that keep us encouraged to continue the work He assigned us to do.
I work as if Jesus sits in the pilot’s seat. When I keep Him there, rather than taking the controls, things work out much better. My writing flows. Things work out, even in those uncontrollable moments of life. Disappointments turn into opportunities to pivot and step into a new thing.
Everything takes time and I must remember to have some patience. A pivot of doing may feel immediate, but the results will take time. I’m a creative and know whether it is a book, a journal, a short info sheet or this post, it takes time and work from idea to final product. Once out there for others to read and use, I may not see or hear much feedback. Sales will take effort to keep it more visible to those you made it for. It can truly make you wonder why you did it, if you don’t focus on why God gave you the desire to create it.
I have a Christian fantasy trilogy that my target audience loves. Reaching them has been hit or miss for sales. I’ve had some not in my target audience try it with mixed results. Now that I have it produced and at least on Amazon long enough for the initial sales I get there with it also being in Kindle Unlimited, I know it is time to pivot to putting it in other places and more formats. It’s pretty scary and exciting at the same time.
I went through a coaching certification with certain expectations, but the door closed on one part of it. It proved time to pivot, and I had to process some feelings this past week that I hadn’t entirely let go. I’ve been working on how this will work, but not pushing myself. The hope is to have it laid out how God wants. I know those I have coached have done well. My niche will fit into Christians wanting to write speculative fiction. A fun project for this is designing journals that lead a writer through a novel idea. None of this will cost me more than time at this point.
There are plenty of things left for me to write and do with the skills God gave me. I have to give the skills and desires He gave me back to Him in ways that honor Him. It’s difficult, but I love the challenge. The drafting can prove as hard as the editing and rewriting. There will be good, bad, and ugly moments in all the steps. The best part is each step includes learning something new, whether it improves a skill, saves me time, or simply adds to the fun of bringing a story to life.
Whether you are in the valley trudging along, flying high on a mountain top, or making a pivot on the path anywhere in between, keep going knowing God is right there with you and caring about every step of the journey. If you feel confused or frustrated, be honest with God and watch for His signals of what you should do. Sometimes you’ll plow through the same thing for far longer than you want, but then a pivot will come that leads you up the mountain. Sometimes you’ll pivot off the mountain to learn new things in the next valley. Keep going when God says go and stand firm when He tells you to. Amazing things will flow from this, and God will give you assuring glimpses to bolster you along the way.
The picture is of the pour painting I did with Art for Life at my church last Friday. Talk about working on something with little control over how it would truly come out. For one, the gak is opaque white until it dries so the colors are muted and you may not see the full layering. I also let it pour off the sides while it dried and found it on Sunday with amazing spots I couldn’t see when it was wet. It’s a lot like life in this unpredictable world with Jesus walking along with you. It looks like a mess, but something unexpected and amazing will come out of it.