Dear Reader,
Today, I want to talk about complete change. You might think — and I partially agree — that change has always been a theme in this space. Still, it’s worth naming a specific kind of transformation: deep and intentional change.
Let’s try a simple exercise.
Pause for a moment and reflect on what no longer makes sense in your life. Do you have control over it? If you choose to change direction, what would the consequences be? Is there a parallel plan that allows stability while things realign? This kind of movement has a name: pivoting.
Pivoting means changing direction while preserving what you’ve already built. The word comes from pivot, implying rotation around a fixed point — not starting over, but repositioning with clarity.
Data S2 was initially conceived as a software company. Over time, reflection revealed its true nature as an independent research lab. On a personal level, I experienced something similar. For a while, I felt limited in how I could contribute to my community. With time and reflection, I realized I could serve in different ways — supporting immigrant communities and connecting people through languages and shared experiences. It was something I had always wanted to do, but it required courage to act on it. In short, it required pivoting.
Don’t be afraid to change direction. The greater risk lies in repeating the same actions and expecting outcomes that no longer align with who you are. Life moves quickly, and it’s too short to be lived in the shadow of “what if.” Choose instead the kind of actions that make you feel truly alive.
There’s a phrase in front of where I write that captures this perfectly: may death find you fully alive.
Warm regards,
Augusto Machado