Mastering the Pivot: How to Adapt When Your Life Takes a Detour

Greg Kerns

Life doesn’t always go as planned. In fact, some of the most transformative moments in my life have come disguised as detours. As someone who’s been laid off five times in my advertising career, I’ve learned that mastering the pivot isn’t just about surviving change—it’s about thriving because of it.

Alex Murray, the protagonist of my short story The Expeditor, has a journey that mirrors my own in some ways. While his story isn’t mine, there are echoes of my life—from my years in the restaurant business to navigating career pivots. You can read Alex’s full story on gregkerns.tv, but for now, let me share how mastering the pivot has shaped my life and career.

At first, the fear of layoffs consumed me. Hearing whispers of downsizing sent me spiraling into panic, imagining the worst-case scenarios. But over time, I realized that every job loss wasn’t an ending—it was a redirection. Of those five layoffs, two resulted in me being rehired by the same company either full-time or as a freelancer. After another, I joined forces with former coworkers to form a collective, and we found work together. Each time, I landed in a better position that paid more and offered greater opportunities for growth.

In one particularly memorable instance, I was still collecting severance from a previous employer while starting a new job, effectively drawing two salaries at once. (I doubt companies allow that anymore, but it felt like the ultimate win at the time!) These experiences taught me that what seems like a setback is often a setup for something better. And sometimes more financially rewarding.

Lessons From My Journey

My ability to pivot didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s rooted in years of diverse experience across industries. I spent 18 years working in restaurants, not just as a waiter but rising to Service Manager and Expeditor at Houston’s flagship restaurant. Back then, side hustles weren’t a buzzword; they were a necessity. Every skill I picked up along the way—from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts to the restaurant floor—contributed to the person I am today.

Here’s a secret: my training as a classical actor didn’t just make me a better performer; it made me a better communicator, presenter, and even waiter. In the ’90s, I made a fortune waiting tables because I understood how to engage with people and sell an experience. That same skill set helped me transition from being in commercials to writing them. Knowing how to sell an idea became my superpower in advertising, eventually leading me to become a creative director at Grey in New York, one of the top ad agencies in the world.

These pivots—from actor to waiter, from waiter to writer, and from writer to creative director—didn’t happen by accident. They were the result of staying open to opportunities, leveraging my transferable skills, and refusing to let fear dictate my decisions.

Practical Advice for Embracing Change

If you’re facing an unexpected detour in your career or life, here are some lessons I’ve learned that might help you navigate the pivot:

  1. Reframe the Setback
    • Instead of seeing a layoff or career change as a failure, view it as an opportunity to grow. Ask yourself, “What’s the best possible outcome of this situation?” Shifting your mindset can turn fear into curiosity and possibility.
  2. Leverage Your Skills
    • Every experience you’ve had is valuable. I used my acting training to become a better salesperson and presenter, which opened doors in advertising. Look at your skill set and think about how it can apply to new industries or roles.
  3. Stay Open to Opportunity
    • Be willing to try something new. I didn’t plan on working in restaurants for 18 years, but those years taught me discipline, multitasking, and people skills—traits that served me well in every career pivot.
  4. Build Your Network
    • Relationships matter. Two of my post-layoff opportunities came from former employers who valued my work. Stay connected and maintain good relationships—you never know who might call you back for your next big opportunity.
  5. Invest in Continuous Learning
    • Never stop honing your craft. During my years as a waiter, I continued writing and filmmaking on the side. Those side projects kept my skills sharp and my passion alive, eventually leading to my creative career.
  6. Trust the Process
    • When life veers off course, trust that you’re being redirected for a reason. After five layoffs and countless pivots, I’ve learned that every detour has been a step toward something better.
  7. Stay Positive
    • Keep a positive attitude and don’t dwell on the past. Never allow a perceived setback to define your existence or destroy your optimism. I once worked with someone who would say, “I don’t care if I get fired. I was looking for a job when I found this one.” That perspective stayed with me. When I was laid off one November, I chose not to stress about finding work during the holidays. Instead, I spent December writing my first novel. By January, I was called back to the same job that had laid me off. Sometimes, staying positive opens the door for unexpected opportunities.

Embracing the Pivot

Today, I’m proud of the career I’ve built across theater, film, television, restaurants, and advertising. I’ve climbed the corporate ladder, achieved financial stability, and now enjoy the freedom to focus on writing stories—the thing I love most.

My journey is proof that pivots aren’t just about survival; they’re about discovering new paths to fulfillment. Alex Murray, the protagonist of The Expeditor, embodies this lesson in his own way. His story may not be mine, but it reflects the resilience and adaptability I’ve lived.

To read Alex’s full story and discover how he finds purpose in the chaos, visit gregkerns.tv. You never know—it might just inspire your next big pivot.