Career Pivot Tips: What to Do BEFORE You Quit Your 9-5

Thinking about making a career pivot, but don't know if it's the right time? In this installment of our “Breaking the Rules” series, I sit down with Jeannette Reyes and Mona Abdi from the Awf the Record podcast to discuss how to know when it's time to make a career change, how to plan a successful pivot, and what to do before you leave your stable job.

If you're feeling stuck in your career, dealing with the pressure to stay in a "good job," or wondering how to transition from employee to entrepreneur, this conversation is for you.

Key Takeaways:
How to tell if your intuition is telling you to leave vs. just having a bad day
The two-year planning strategy for leaving a stable job
Why loving your job doesn't always mean you should stay
How to build a "board of advisors" for major career decisions
The difference between well-meaning advice and advice that serves you
What to prepare before making a career pivot (finances, skills, connections)
How to overcome the fear of disappointing family and ancestors
The reality of building a business from scratch (spoiler: it's humbling)
Why consistency is the secret weapon for any career transition

Chapters:
00:00 Breaking the Rules & Pivoting with Power
00:40 Why 2026 Is the Year of the Pivot
02:01 Unlearning Palatability & Owning Your Voice
7:50 Knowing When It’s Time to Make a Career Leap
12:27 Fear, Family Expectations & First-Gen Pressure
25:44 Building After the Pivot: Friendship, Business & Podcasting
53:11 Advice for Your Own Pivot + Lucky Habits for the New Year

Resources:
Listen to Jeannette and Mona’s podcast, Awf the Record: https://www.awftherecord.com/
Follow Awf the Record on Instagram:   / awftherecordpodcast  
Follow Jeannette on Instagram:   / msnewslady  
Follow Mona on Instagram:   / monakabdi  
Check out the Primed to Pivot E-Book: https://msnewslady.com/primed-to-pivot/

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