Career Pivot Playbook: How to Successfully Pivot Your Career

Let us be honest. The word ‘pivot’ can be intimidating. It suggests change, disruption and a leap into the sometimes scary unknown. Yet it can also be one of the most liberating decisions you will ever make.

I speak from experience.

Several years ago, I was practising as a corporate lawyer. It looked perfect on paper, but I felt disconnected. Deep down, I knew I was made for more: more creativity, more purpose, more authentic expression of who I truly am.

That quiet voice inside me became louder when I transitioned from private practice into legal consulting. That shift granted me something I did not have before: time. Time to reflect, time to explore and time to grow. I then moved into the sports world. It felt more in tune with my upbringing and my interests. While I still contribute to sports law and legal projects, that move opened a space for something larger: myself and the business I wanted to build.

I started shaping a personal brand that allows me to wear many hats: MC, presenter, podcaster and content creator in the realms of golf, sport and lifestyle. I help companies enliven their events, build communities through networking, and inspire people to use sport as a tool for networking.

My pivot definitely did not unfold overnight. It occurred in deliberate, steady and sometimes unsteady phases. I moved forward by trusting my own evolution. Now, I consult for sports companies and also work independently. This freedom enables me to speak, create and embrace roles that genuinely excite me.

If you, too, feel that tug of restlessness, if you have outgrown your current role, your industry or even the version of you that existed five or ten years ago, then this is for you. You want freedom, creativity and alignment, but you also value stability, structure and real impact. You do not have to pick one or the other for now.

Here is my five-step pivot playbook, drawn from my experiences.

1. Feel the Friction

Every pivot starts with discomfort, and not everyone will applaud you for wanting change in your life. For me, it was private practice. It might have looked great to everyone around me, but I felt confined and disengaged from my purpose. If you sense that you no longer fit where you are, take notice. That feeling is not failure. It is a call to expand and evolve.

2. Take the Low-Risk Leap

Not all pivots require a dramatic exit. I began by providing legal consulting and consulting in the sports industry, which allowed me to use my expertise whilst finding the breathing space I craved. You do not have to abandon everything at once. A small, intentional shift can open up new possibilities. Go at a pace that aligns with your comfort, your goals and your means.

3. Try the Thing

With extra time and freedom, I experimented. I took on MC jobs, delved into content creation (still trying and failing at times) and launched golfwithnikki on Instagram to share my love of golf and my personal journey. It later evolved into nikkirayment, letting me share more of my true self. This stage is about trial without fear. You do not have to be perfect. You just have to start.

4. Build While You Work

Whilst working in sports, I simultaneously built my personal brand. I started a podcast, hosted events and partnered with brands that resonated with my vision. It is possible to hold one role whilst exploring another. At one point, I hired brand strategist Kelly Lundberg, who helped me clarify my message and expand my business.

5. Step Into Main Character Energy

This is when you fully own your transformation. You wake up energised, comfortable in your evolving identity. You have constructed a career that reflects your aspirations, personality and values. Of course, the process continues here. You keep refining who you are and how you serve.

It helps to remember that your pivot can be a gentle shift rather than a loud reinvention. While the world often applauds massive public changes, many pivots happen quietly and methodically. You do not have to destroy what you have already built; instead, make space for what you truly desire.

So wherever you find yourself on this journey, trust that your pivot is valid, brave and entirely your own. If you have been waiting for a sign, consider this your permission to begin.

Now go and build a career that feels like you, every step of the way.

// Nikki Rayment

www.Nikkirayment.com