how to transition with purpose

insights from Dr Maria Evans, specialist in career transition and personal growth

Maria Evans never imagined her love of theatre would lead her to a crowded lecture hall as a trainee teacher — or to the fulfilling coaching practice she runs today. The first unexpected change of direction in her journey began with a leap of faith, leaving the theatre to pursue a career in education. “I didn’t know exactly what I wanted,” she recalls, “but I knew what I didn’t want.” Each pivot brought its own challenges, but Maria’s focus on self-awareness, values, and incremental progress turned uncertainty into opportunity. Now, as an expert coach, she helps others navigate the twists and turns of their own career transitions.

LUMIN Voices interviews Dr Maria Evans about how to navigate career pivots & transitions with strategies for success | Click to watch the full video

Career pivots — intentional shifts in professional direction — often arise at critical life junctures, from starting a family to pursuing long-held ambitions or leaving unfulfilling roles.

And whether bold leaps or incremental shifts, they are becoming an increasingly common phenomenon. Studies show that the average person changes careers as many as seven times in their lifetime, with women often driving these transitions during key life stages such as career breaks.

Dr Maria Evans, a seasoned coach and multi-pivoter herself, shared her insights during a recent LUMIN Voices interview, offering invaluable lessons for those contemplating their next move.

Her practical strategies, informed by personal experience and professional expertise, are designed to help individuals transition with clarity and confidence.

“Ask yourself: what excites me? A pivot that excites you will sustain your motivation, even during long hours or juggling responsibilities.”

when you’re unsure where to go next

One of the most daunting aspects of a career pivot is figuring out the destination. Maria recommends beginning with self-reflection to understand what you truly want — and perhaps more importantly, what you don’t.

“When people are stuck, I often start with the question: ‘What don’t you want?’” Maria explains. “It can be easier to identify what’s wrong than what’s right. From there, you can refine a direction that feels authentic.”

And for those struggling with confidence, Maria suggests starting with small steps. “If you’re pivoting after time out of the workforce, for example, focus on regaining confidence first. This foundation will make every subsequent step easier.”

She also emphasises the importance of aligning your career with your values. “Reflecting on your values can be a game-changer,” she says. “When I finally sat down and identified my core values—freedom, creativity, family—I realised why certain roles hadn’t worked for me and what I needed to thrive.”

And understanding and maximising how to maximise your personal energy is key, as she explains: “Ask yourself: what excites me? What would I look forward to working on, even after a long day. A pivot that excites you will sustain your motivation, even during long hours or juggling responsibilities.”

Key takeaways:

Be clear what you don’t want and build confidence first
Identify your top five values to ensure alignment with your next step
Understand your energy and harness it for motivation

balancing the practicalities of a pivot

For many, financial realities mean juggling the demands of an old role while building momentum in a new one. This dual role, or ‘five to nine’ phase, can feel overwhelming, but Maria suggests focusing on prioritising tasks and being self-aware on energy management.

Leveraging tools like the Eisenhower Matrix can help to stay focused on what truly matters, by categorising tasks by their importance and urgency, leading to better use of available time. This approach to time management can be a big help, but matching it up with energy management can be a game-changer, as she explains: “it’s important to think about what energises you versus what drains you. There’s a whole wealth of materials around time management and trying to improve productivity but understanding not just ‘how do I manage my time’, but ‘how do I manage my energy levels’ is really important, particularly as we age, or have children or health conditions, so work out what will energise you.”

She also highlights the importance of incremental shifts and the psychology of transitions: “Claim your new identity early. Tell yourself, and others, who you are becoming — it’s amazing how powerful that can be.

“Start by carving out regular time to embody the new role. For example, if you want to be a writer, commit to a weekly writing schedule. And then surround yourself with people in that world — it helps you see yourself in the new role and builds confidence.”

Key strategies for balancing the pivot:

Block time for your new pursuit and stick to it.
Prioritise effectively using tools like the Eisenhower Matrix (urgent vs. important).
Seek communities or mentors in your target field for encouragement and advice.

When you're in a spin and can't decide on direction, take time to think about your values and energy

avoiding burnout during transition

Burnout is a significant risk when navigating a pivot, particularly for women balancing multiple responsibilities. According to the Future Forum Pulse study in 2022, women are 32% more likely than men to experience burnout, often due to societal expectations of multitasking and perfection.

Reflecting on the psychological impact of transitions, Maria advocates for a “to-don’t list” to help stay focused on what truly matters and warns of the double-edged sword of passion: “While passion is powerful, it can also lead to overworking. Set realistic boundaries to protect your time, relationships, and well-being.”

She also suggests celebrating small wins to stay motivated. “Sometimes, just staying in the game is an achievement,” she says. “Keeping a success diary to track what’s gone well can help counter feelings of dejection and keep you moving forward.”

Tips for avoiding burnout:

Celebrate progress, no matter how small.
Use a “to-don’t list” to eliminate distractions and stay focused.
Build recovery time into your schedule — whether for rest, hobbies, or social connections.

the importance of mentorship and support

Mentorship can be a critical factor in successful career transitions. Research highlights that individuals with strong mentoring relationships are more likely to achieve their career goals and report higher satisfaction and mental well-being.

Maria underscores the value of having someone in your corner during a pivot who can offer an independent view: “A mentor or coach can challenge your thinking, offer perspective, and remind you to stay patient. It’s easy to expect overnight success, but most pivots are a marathon, not a sprint.”

And such mentorship can extend well beyond formal one-to-one mentorship: Maria suggests seeking out peer networks or communities. “Post-pandemic, online communities have made it easier than ever to connect with like-minded people. Find a group that reflects your new identity — it can be transformative.”

embracing change and staying resilient

Career pivots, while challenging, offer incredible opportunities for growth and fulfilment. By following a structured approach — clarifying values, balancing practicalities, protecting well-being, and seeking support — you can navigate the process with greater confidence and purpose.

Maria’s own journey from theatre to education and finally to coaching illustrates the adaptability required for successful pivots. “The first leap is always the hardest,” she says. “But once you take it, you realise that you can always change course if needed. Very little is set in stone.”

“The journey may not be linear, but it’s always worth it. Take the leap, you’re more resilient than you realise.”

For more insights from Maria Evans and others who have navigated their own career transitions, join the LUMIN community, where stories and strategies illuminate the path to success.

References

Using the Eisenhower Matrix

Check your values

Career changes frequency: Studies indicate that the average person changes careers 5-7 times, influenced by shifting goals, values, or life stages (Source: Forbes, The Great Resignation and Beyond) .
Burnout statistics for women: Fall 2022 Future Forum Pulse, https://futureforum.com/research/pulse-report-fall-2022-executives-feel-strain-leading-in-new-normal/. Additionally, the “Women in the Workplace 2021” report by McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org found that 42% of women reported feeling burned out, compared to 35% of men.
Mentorship and career transitions: Peer mentoring fosters higher satisfaction and better outcomes in career shifts, as outlined in a case study published by the Journal of Clinical and Translational Science. Mentored individuals reported greater confidence, reduced stress, and more effective transitions .

#NavigatingChange #ProfessionalGrowth #LuminCommunity #CareerDevelopment #ExecutiveCoaching #womenmentoringwomen #womenchangemakers #bridginggenerations #WomenSupportingWomen

Maria Evans
IN HER OWN WORDS:

I started my career at the BBC and then did my first pivot into teaching in my late twenties. I pivoted again into theatre education and training in my thirties. Finally, in my fifties, I pivoted again during the Covid pandemic – running training courses beyond the creative industries, alongside working as a coach and mentor.

Having struggled in my earlier career with confidence, perfectionism and people pleasing I now support other women facing similar challenges.

I have also trained in Neurodiversity coaching, following diagnoses of both my teenage children, and offer this as an additional specialism.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by confidence issues and/or neurodivergence (for yourself or those you support), and would welcome support, encouragement and kindness to help navigate these challenges, then you can find out more about me and my work here: Connect with Maria on LinkedIn

Watch the full interview with Maria Evans

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