Lean Callings

 Once you've crafted an experiment to explore the "space" before you and learn in which direction

your calling lies, then executed that experiment, you should be looking for results evidence that supports or refutes the hypothesis. Ideally, you would have articulated the results you're looking for in the design of the experiment. Those results should inform your next steps.

In Lean Startup terms, do you persevere or pivot?

Pivoting is normal. It's not giving up on a destination. It's not admitting error. It's acknowledging that what you seek doesn't seem to be in this direction.

Even if you have to stop in your tracks to consider your next move, like a basketball player who stopped dribbling, you can keep one foot anchored to secure your place and move your other foot around to get a better view of what to do next.

To extend the basketball metaphor perhaps too far, your team does not have to score every time they get control of the ball. Yes, that would be great, but no one expect that. The team moves the ball toward their basket, passing the ball back and forth, advancing the ball down court, sometimes stopping and pivoting left or right to look for options and openings. Just because they didn't score this time doesn't mean they're losing the game. There is still time on the clock. The ball is still in play.

So it is with finding your calling. According to Jeff Goins, in The Art of Work, "Pivoting isn't plan B; it's part of the process [of discovering your calling]."

And that anxiety you feel, that you haven't found your calling yet--that might get stronger as you get closer to it. Don't let that tension pull you off course. Again, you might need to just pivot.

It's kinda like using a compass to find a hidden magnet. The needle is pulling strongly in some direction, just not the one you're facing. It's pulling strongly. You're close. You might just need to turn a bit, to pivot.

So keep searching for your calling. Step out, see if you're getting closer, and pivot or persevere.

But don't give up.