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Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

Created: 01/01/19

Replies: 11

Posted Jan. 01, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Have you ever

In her early life Michelle Obama writes about being a "box checker," but as she gets older she learns how to "swerve" to adjust to life's circumstances.

What does it mean to swerve and how do we develop that skill in life? Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?


Posted Jan. 11, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
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bestmartin

Join Date: 02/20/13

Posts: 103

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I loved the term swerved. I, like Michelle, had my whole life planned. I was a box checker. I graduated college early and started working immediately at a career building job. I quickly got promoted and was on my way. I got my MBA, changed fields and rose higher with more income and status. Than I decided I wanted to do more good and swerved into non profits where I got to do a lot for causes I believed in. Than I swerved again and became a spiritual healer where I helped individuals and hospice patients heal. And I followed that pattern in my marriage and personal life. The result is a great life where I am present, evolving and so happy.


Posted Jan. 11, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
paulak

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 264

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I have made many swerves in my business career, some which also required swerves in my personal life and, without exception, each one has left me wiser, happier and more experienced. Fortunately, my husband was happy to swerve right along with me although that is not always the case. I don't view myself quite as rigid as perhaps Michelle Obama describes herself and I would guess that discipline makes swerving more challenging. But I think her swerves have left her and the world a much better place.


Posted Jan. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
dorianbc

Join Date: 04/25/11

Posts: 33

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

Yes, "swerved" is a great way to put it! I have had a few swerves in my life, which I have handled differently each time. I think that with my first change I did not really realize the impact it would have on my life. But, this change helped to make my next swerve one in which I had more understanding of the importance of the change and that it would be positive. Living through that first "swerve" served me well!


Posted Jan. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
kimk

Join Date: 10/16/10

Posts: 889

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I don't think one can get to adulthood without "swerving" at some point, and I can think of several swerves over the course of my life, some big, some small. The decision to end my marriage was one swerve, many years ago. More recently, one morning as I went into a job that I was absolutely hating, I said to myself, "You know, life's too short to be this miserable," and quit. There might be things about the swerves in my life I regret or might have done differently, but overall each has been a good decision; they made me the person I am today.


Posted Jan. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
peggyt

Join Date: 08/10/17

Posts: 215

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I would have to agree that everyone swerves or makes big changes if they have lived beyond their forties or fifties. I became an RN around the age of forty and had a 25 year career in that field. Like others, I have had numerous changes in my personal life as well. You swerve and you adjust because that is what it takes.


Posted Jan. 12, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
katherinep

Join Date: 07/16/14

Posts: 374

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

Yes, I moved to a new part of the State and gave up a house and job to return to teaching and be near a fellow I cared for. We married and had a child and I started in a new teaching job. I had no idea that my life would be as altered as it became. The marriage and motherhood brought changes I expected and wanted. The new location and place of work, however, brought far more radical changes that I never expected and that, to this day, are really hard to deal with.


Posted Jan. 17, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
elise

Join Date: 04/22/11

Posts: 101

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I feel I have not swerved - I've been married for 27 years and at the same job for 30 years. I do feel that the time is coming for a complete change in career in the next few years. I think my swerve may be coming up!


Posted Jan. 17, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
ChloesMom

Join Date: 05/10/15

Posts: 17

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I’m retired now but sometimes think of a job that afforded an increase in grade and pay. I was warned by a well meaning person not to take the job and I should have listened. It caused me such unhappiness that I retired early. That wasn’t such a bad thing tho. Linda


Posted Jan. 18, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Mira

Join Date: 07/14/17

Posts: 5

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I feel like most of my adult life has been swerves because I grew up with immigrant parents, who had a major swerve when they came to this country, and they tried to keep me from not swerving!. I married a man who also emigrated when he was young and avoided swerving. But he did make a major swerve when he switched jobs and was transferred to Europe. We are not military, or government but in private industry. We packed up our 3 kids and moved.And it was life changing, eye opening and wonderful! So for 7 years we moved, different states, Europe, Canada and our now back home again because the job led him here. But he swerved again, with my insistence, and took a job in another state. I am staying here, at his insistence, because i have the better health care. We all have our stories and reasons. I’m in my 50’s looking forward to and anticipating the swerves.


Posted Jan. 27, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
LWReads

Join Date: 08/09/18

Posts: 41

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

Every time she used the word “swerve,” it jarred me a bit. For me, it carries connotations of danger and suddenness. I’m more used to a slightly softer word - “pivot.” But yes, my life has taken several major turns - from one career to a totally different career, then back to the original. Being open to these major life changes is what helps us grow.


Posted Jan. 27, 2019 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
Suzanne

Join Date: 04/21/11

Posts: 281

RE: Have you ever "swerved" in your career or personal life, and if so, did you know you were making a radical or life-altering decision at the time?

I’ve swerved so many times during my life that thinking about my many choices and changes I almost feel dizzy! I believe every time there is even the slightest consideration to make another choice is a revision to a person’s life. With more thought I realize that one choice—that of marrying—has been the only constant in my life. No swerving for 59 years.


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