Pivoting Your Career
Build a New Path in The Desert
Many people reach a point in their careers where they feel stuck, uninspired, or even miserable. If you’re reading this, you might be wondering: Is this it? Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life? The good news is—no, you don’t have to.
Whether you’re in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or anywhere else in the world, your first job is rarely your last. What you started doing when you arrived in the UAE doesn’t have to define your future. The key to pivoting careers is to explore, experiment, and build something new—before you quit your current job.
The Secret: Use Your Spare Time to Discover and Learn
If you’re not happy with your job, the best thing you can do is start using your spare time to explore new interests, skills, and career possibilities. But I know what you’re thinking:
"How can I possibly find the time or energy after working all day?"
This is where a powerful idea from Naval Ravikant comes in:
“Do what feels like play to you but looks like work to others.”
The key to a career pivot is not forcing yourself to take on another exhausting workload after hours. Instead, it’s about finding something that excites you—something that feels like play, even if it looks like work to others.
For example, if you’re drawn to photography, you might find yourself experimenting with editing software late at night, not because you have to, but because you want to. If you’re interested in psychology, you might be reading case studies or taking online courses in your free time—not as a chore, but because it fascinates you.
When you find something that sparks your curiosity, learning no longer feels like an obligation. It becomes an escape, a source of fulfillment, and a pathway to something new.
Small Steps Lead to Big Changes
If you’re feeling stuck, don’t pressure yourself to have everything figured out overnight. Instead, focus on small, consistent steps:
Tinker & Explore – Spend 15-30 minutes a day learning something new. Listen to podcasts, take online courses, or experiment with a side project.
Follow Your Curiosity – Pay attention to what excites you. What topics make you lose track of time? What skills do you want to develop?
Create Instead of Just Consume – Start a blog, record videos, offer freelance services, or build something tangible. Learning by doing will help you figure out if this is something you truly enjoy.
Network & Connect – Talk to people who are already doing what interests you. Join communities, attend events, and learn from their experiences.
Test the Waters – Before making a big leap, try small ways to monetize your interest—freelancing, consulting, or creating content. This gives you confidence and proof that a pivot is possible.
Your First Job in the UAE is Not Your Last
If you’re in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or elsewhere in the UAE, remember: your first job here is rarely the job you stay in forever. Many expats start in one field and completely shift into another. The country itself is full of opportunity—you just have to be willing to explore.
Maybe you started as a teacher but realized you love digital marketing. Maybe you came as an accountant but found yourself drawn to fitness coaching. These pivots don’t happen overnight, but they do happen when you take small, consistent steps toward something new.
If your current job isn’t making you happy, start exploring new paths now—not later. You don’t need to quit today, but you can use your spare time to build something that excites you. The best part? When you find something you love, it won’t feel like extra work—it’ll feel like play.
