Juggling a full-time job & a pivot? Start here.

Hey, hey!

When you’re dying to change careers and you're already juggling a full-time job (or full-time life, like parenting or school), it’s easy to feel crushed by the weight of everything that goes into making a pivot.

And yeah, I won't lie—it's a lot.

Even now, years after my own first big career pivot, I’m still navigating what it means to evolve my work while managing a full calendar. Running a business, building new partnerships, creating content, and still trying to leave space for a life? It’s not for the faint of heart.

But it’s also so possible — even if it’s not always graceful.

So whether you're pivoting out of a job that no longer fits, or finally taking your dream seriously, below are 3 things that helped me manage the chaos and stay on track (even when I wanted to crawl under a blanket and doom-scroll forever).

1. Plan like a CEO, not a martyr

Every Monday morning, I sit down with my Google Calendar and a physical planner and map out the week like it’s a strategy meeting. I solidify the non-negotiables (meetings, client calls, rest) first, then carve out protected time for projects that move me toward the next version of my career.

If the calendar view looks too jam-packed, I know I’m being unrealistic. So, I break big priorities into bite-sized steps and assign them to short time blocks that feel doable. That way, I’m stacking wins — not shame.

2. Know your “productive procrastination” tells

What do you usually do (consciously or subconsciously) when you're trying to avoid doing something on your list? For me, it’s checking all of my social media accounts and emails in a loop- once I hit the second lap of mindless scrolling, I know it’s time to snap out of it.

Recognize your personal procrastination patterns and try to say, "okay I'm procrastinating. I know this. I have one small, specific thing I can do right now and the sooner I start, the sooner it'll be done."

3. Give yourself permission to be a human being, not a robot

Some days, you won’t do both.
Some weeks, you won’t do both.

Career pivots are rarely sprints. They’re a long-game, made up of steady, imperfect action and small choices that build real momentum over time.

And here’s the truth:
When I decided to go all-in on this path — building my business, launching my course, becoming the career coach and creator I wish I had back in the day — I knew I couldn’t half-ass it. I made a conscious decision to go all in on the version of my life I actually wanted.

That might not be your story. You might choose a slower pace, a hybrid path, or a softer launch.

That’s not just okay — it’s wise.
There’s no one right way to get where you’re going.

So tell me — what kind of support would make juggling your pivot + your current life feel more doable right now?

Reply to this email. I’m here for it.

Keep going, you got this,

Janel

This week’s question comes from Evan over on Instagram:

😮‍💨 Interview anxiety has been the downfall of even the brightest Corporate Baddie on the block. Here’s the reframe that’s helped me and my Pivoters:

Companies don’t always hire the most qualified person— they hire the one who makes them feel most confident that the job will be done well!

Stand out as the most confidence-inducing candidate by:

• Mirroring the interviewers’ language and priorities

• Telling compelling stories about your experience, not just listing skills

• Connecting your experience to their actual problems

• Following up with more value post-interview, not just a “thank you”

You want to be the person they can already imagine on the team, not just someone they had a nice conversation with!

Pssst! All of today’s advice + frameworks are bite-sized tips pulled straight from my full course Pivot with Purpose! Think of it like a supercharged version of all the best content from this newsletter, tailored to help you clarify exactly where to take your career next— and land the job as efficiently as possible (no busywork!).