The Art of the Pivot: A Model for Coronavirus
By: Suncera Johnson
We are naturally resistant to change. Comfort makes us feel good. Familiar makes us feel better.
But life happens. Ebbs and flows come. And then we have to choose. Not choosing is a choice.
Coronavirus.
Like many, it is a word that a year ago, I never knew existed.
This thing we are dealing with affects every living person on the planet. I have spoken with friends all over the world, as far away as the UK and South Africa. It saddened me that I was prohibited from taking my early morning beach walks with God, only to learn that the beaches in South Africa closed as well.
From friends in New York, New Jersey, Georgia – even Germany, death is all around us.
As a full-time entrepreneur, our challenges feel different than most. Many of us are worried about paying the rent. How do we keep the lights on? And what will we do to get income, when most of the country was under a mandatory stay at home order?
What happens as life returns to normal, whatever that will be? Should I continue my business, or should I make a change?
What if you could hold onto the comfort of familiar and experience the goodness of change at the same time?
Why not pivot instead?
Years ago, I taught my toddler daughter how to walk like a model. Upon reaching the end of the runway after walking straight, you need to turn. Typical turns for a pageant include the 3 point and 4 point turn. The most common walk for runway shows is the catwalk.
All involve walking. But the pivot? That requires that you are solidly on your feet as you turn so that you do not fall.
That's how I am handling coronavirus.
There have been turns, some graceful, some not so much. However, no matter what comes my way, I will continue to face the cameras and strut through this life.
Here are four pointers to help you successfully pivot through trying times:
SLOW DOWN
Walking too fast on a runway will not only throw off the timing of the show but may also cause you to fall. Take some time to acknowledge what is happening. Feel your feelings. If your best for today is to get out of the bed, then do that. And if you need to crawl back into the bed, do that as well. The key is not to stop.
Slowing down chases away anxiety. When the bile rises in my throat or the pains attack my stomach, I slow down and remind myself: this is what is real RIGHT NOW. And I chant one of my favorite mantras, "Don't borrow trouble from tomorrow."
2. PRACTICE
Spend time honing your craft. While I am sometimes told I walk down the street as if I am on a runway (old habits are hard to break), in my active modeling years, I had to practice because every show was different. The location of the runway, the distance of the walk, the area of the turn, the lighting – there are so many things to consider to make sure you don't fall flat on your face as I did when I failed to show up for practice at a bridal show.
Last year I enrolled in an online college course, which just so happened to start when the lockdown began. I am growing additional skills that I can monetize and learning so much in the process that I can practice before launching my next venture.
3. DRESS ACCORDINGLY
Modeling is all about what you are wearing, right? Not quite. If it were, anyone could do it, and brands would not spend so much time looking for the right person to represent them. It's not just the outfit. It's also about the person who is wearing it.
So during times of turmoil, how do our insides look? We can get glammed up for the gram, do all kinds of cute videos, but if we don't address what is going on inside of us, our energy will be off as well as our walk. So, while spending time looking cute is nice and all, why not address what is happening in our lives right now?
As a fit model, I had to wear standard sizing for every show I walked. Back then, it was size eight all across the board. Sometimes we were allowed to bring our shoes. On the days we were not, I had to squeeze my size nine feet into a size eight and strut as if I was floating on clouds. My feet became so damaged that I ended up having foot surgery because it became too painful to walk.
4. MAKE EYE CONTACT
In this age of social distancing we are not able to spend time with our friends and loved ones as before. Why not video chat? Many free platforms enable you to spend time together while apart from the comfort of your home. Now would be an excellent time to pick up the phone to hear the voice of someone you have not spoken to in a while. Texts are good, but trust me on this, picking up the phone is so much better!
Just as when walking in a competition, you want to make sure that you are memorable. Maintaining eye contact shows them that they matter to you and can often make you feel connected. Reach out to your people and connect.
There's nothing standard about you. It's why you are reading this blog. You are extraordinary, which means you may not always fit into situations where others settle. It's okay. But don't let it damage you. Be who you are. Do what is best for you. Self-care is not selfish.
Every person is affected by this virus. What matters most is how we deal with it internally in the nakedness of our soul, when no one is "liking" or "commenting" on it in our private lives.
Whatever you do during your pivot, keep standing and walk tall because life is your runway. And your best pivots are yet to come even when you fall. Spring right back up and strut with your head held high.
Suncera Johnson aka thatwritingchic is an Author, Public Speaker and Serial Entrepreneur. You can learn more about her work, books and podcast at www.suncerajohnson.com.