You know that feeling when you're sitting at your desk, doing work you're good at, but you just... don't care anymore? Or when you're scrolling through job postings and you see something completely different from what you do, and you think, "I want to do that"? Yeah, that's your high openness talking.
In my twenty years of practice, I've sat across from hundreds of people who describe themselves as "bored" or "restless" in their careers. They're not ungrateful. They're not defective. They just have a brain that's wired to crave novelty, variety, and intellectual stimulation. And in a world that celebrates specialization, that can feel like a flaw.
But here's what I've learned: high openness isn't a flaw. It's a trait. And when you learn to work with it instead of against it, something magical happens. You start to feel more alive. More engaged. More fulfilled.
Let me tell you about my client Rachel. She came to me saying, "I'm good at my job, but I'm bored. I want to do something completely different. Am I crazy?" Sound familiar?
Understanding Your High-Openness Brain
First, let's get clear on what we're talking about. High openness is a personality trait that describes how you approach new experiences. It means your brain craves novelty, variety, and intellectual stimulation. You're curious. You're creative. You're always looking for the next interesting thing.
But here's the thing: in a world that celebrates specialization, high openness can feel like a flaw. You're supposed to pick a lane and stick with it. You're supposed to specialize. You're supposed to climb the ladder.
But here's the tricky part: when you have high openness, that ladder feels like a cage. You don't want to climb it. You want to explore. You want to try new things. You want to pivot.
Pause & Reflect: Think about the last time you felt truly engaged in your work. When was it? What were you doing? How did it feel? Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
The Pivot Metaphor
Think of your career like a journey. When you have high openness, you don't want to take the same path over and over. You want to explore. You want to try new paths. You want to pivot.
But here's the thing: pivoting isn't easy. It requires courage. It requires vulnerability. It requires stepping into the unknown. And that's scary.
I remember a client named Marcus who told me, "I want to pivot, but I'm scared. What if I fail? What if I waste all the time I've invested in my current career?" That's the fear that keeps high-openness people stuck.
Why Your Brain Craves Novelty
Let me explain the neuroscience in simple terms. Your brain has a reward system. When you experience something new, your brain releases dopamine. That dopamine makes you feel good. It makes you want to explore more.
But here's the thing: when you're in a career that doesn't provide novelty, your reward system gets depleted. It's like a muscle that's not being used. It needs stimulation. It needs novelty. It needs variety.
And here's the tricky part: when your reward system is depleted, you start to feel bored, restless, and unfulfilled. You start to crave novelty. You start to crave change.
The Three Types of Pivots
1. The Small Pivot
This is when you make a small change within your current career. You're not changing careers. You're just changing your role, your responsibilities, or your focus.
Example: You're a marketing manager, but you're bored. Instead of changing careers, you pivot to a different role within marketing. Maybe you move from content marketing to strategy. Maybe you move from B2B to B2C. Maybe you move from execution to strategy.
This isn't giving up. It's pivoting within your current career. It's honoring your need for novelty.
2. The Side Pivot
This is when you start a side project or side business while keeping your current job. You're not quitting your job. You're just exploring something new on the side.
Example: You're a software engineer, but you're bored. Instead of quitting your job, you start a side project. Maybe you start a blog. Maybe you start a podcast. Maybe you start a side business.
This isn't giving up. It's exploring on the side. It's honoring your need for novelty.
3. The Full Pivot
This is when you change careers completely. You're not just changing roles. You're changing careers entirely.
Example: You're a lawyer, but you're bored. Instead of staying in law, you pivot to a completely different career. Maybe you become a teacher. Maybe you become a writer. Maybe you become a chef.
This isn't giving up. It's pivoting completely. It's honoring your need for novelty.
The Pivot Plan
Step 1: Get Clear on What You Want
Before you pivot, you need to get clear on what you want. You need to get clear on what you're pivoting toward, not just what you're pivoting away from.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want more of in my life?
- What do I want less of in my life?
- What kind of work would make me feel engaged?
- What kind of work would make me feel fulfilled?
Pause & Reflect: Think about what you want more of in your life. What is it? How would it feel? Take ten seconds. Really think about it.
Step 2: Start Small
Before you make a big pivot, start small. Start with a small pivot. Start with a side project. Start with a small change.
Example: Instead of quitting your job, start a side project. Start a blog. Start a podcast. Start a side business. See how it feels.
This isn't giving up. It's testing the waters. It's honoring your need for novelty.
Step 3: Build Your Network
Before you pivot, build your network. Talk to people who are doing what you want to do. Learn from them. Learn from their mistakes. Learn from their successes.
Example: If you want to become a writer, talk to writers. Learn from them. Learn from their mistakes. Learn from their successes.
This isn't being naive. It's being strategic. It's honoring your need for information.
Step 4: Build Your Skills
Before you pivot, build your skills. Take a class. Take a course. Learn the skills you need to succeed in your new career.
Example: If you want to become a writer, take a writing class. Take a writing course. Learn the skills you need to succeed as a writer.
This isn't being unprepared. It's being strategic. It's honoring your need for preparation.
Step 5: Make the Pivot
Once you've done your research, built your network, and built your skills, make the pivot. Make the change. Take the leap.
Example: If you want to become a writer, quit your job and become a writer. Take the leap.
This isn't being reckless. It's being strategic. It's honoring your need for change.
The Scripts That Actually Work
Let me give you some real, practical scripts you can use. These aren't perfect. They're not magic. But they're a starting point.
When Someone Asks Why You're Pivoting
Instead of: "I'm just bored."
Try: "I'm pivoting because I want to do work that engages me more. I want to do work that fulfills me."
You're not being defensive. You're being honest.
When Someone Tells You You're Crazy
Instead of: "Maybe I am crazy."
Try: "I know this is a big change, but I need to do work that engages me. I need to do work that fulfills me."
You're not being defensive. You're being honest.
When You're Feeling Scared
Instead of: "Maybe I shouldn't do this."
Try: "I'm scared, but I need to do this. I need to do work that engages me. I need to do work that fulfills me."
You're not being weak. You're being honest.
The Long Game
Pivoting isn't a one-time thing. It's a practice. You'll have pivots that work. You'll have pivots that don't work. You'll have pivots that are somewhere in between.
That's okay. That's human.
What matters is that you keep showing up. That you keep honoring your need for novelty. That you keep pivoting when you need to.
Because here's the truth: your high openness isn't a flaw. It's part of who you are. And when you learn to work with it, it becomes a strength. You become more engaged. More fulfilled. More alive.
And that's a gift.
If this feels like a struggle you can't solve alone, it might be your unique wiring. High-openness people often need specific strategies that honor their need for novelty while building fulfilling careers. Let's decode it together at MyTraitsLab.
