PERSEVERANCE VS PIVOTING: Navigating Setbacks
SOMETIMES SH%T JUST, DOESN’T GO RIGHT
I like to believe that when significant setbacks occur, the universe might be orchestrating a grander, better plan, or perhaps there's a crucial lesson we need to grasp.
Sometimes it’s clear when something isn't working, prompting the need to let go, regardless of how In these instances, the most effective remedy, in my experience, involves acknowledging the difficult emotions that arise and then stepping into trust and openness. Easier said than done, of course…
At other times, the challenge lies in discerning when to persevere and when to let go. There exists a fine line between:
Perseverance + Holding on | Pivoting + Reacting
This is a dilemma at times that can confront business owners, founders, and solopreneurs—individuals I regularly advise and consult. Below, I'll offer some guidelines to navigate this intricate decision-making process.
01 STRATEGIC REFLECTION
•Have you been strategic in your process, thoroughly considering your offerings, timeline, marketing, branding, and financials?
•If not, do you have the time and bandwidth to undergo a strategic process to address these aspects?
•If yes, were you able to implement and follow the strategy as planned? What insights did you gain? Can you make slight changes or improvements to shift what's not working? Were there societal changes impacting the market, and if so, can you pivot to adjust, or is your offering no longer aligned?
If yes again, have you allowed ample time to implement and test everything at least 6 mo’s- 1 year?
02 SKILLSET + TIME CROSS CHECK
One of the best pieces of advice I received as a young entrepreneur was to understand my strengths and be honest about my limitations. Wholeheartedly owning your talents and finding support for your weaknesses is crucial.
•Are you being honest with yourself about your true skill set? Where do you need support? Is a particular aspect of your business struggling due to a weak skill set or an unaddressed team issue?
•Conversely, are you NOT engaging in a task(s) out of fear or discomfort that you're actually good at or totally capable of? If yes, perhaps it's time to embrace a challenge.
•Are you being realistic about your available time and what you can take on? Saying yes to too many things can spread us too thin and hinder productivity. If yes, what can you start saying no to? What do you actually need to prioritize?
03 ALIGNMENT WITH VALUES + PURPOSE
•Does what you're doing, creating, or offering align with your values, beliefs, and purpose? If not, could this misalignment be a reason for the challenges you're facing?
•Are you hesitating to pursue something aligned due to fear or feeling overwhelmed? Are these thoughts based on fear and stories that hinder action, or are they grounded in practicality and logistics?
•Are there small, achievable steps you can take to move in an aligned direction?
04 MOVING BEYOND THE MUCK AND STUCK
•Have you been ignoring your internal compass, influenced instead by external voices, societal comparisons, or family opinions?
•If yes, try blocking out the noise, going on a long walk, being fully present, getting out of your head, meditating, or talking it out with a trusted advisor.
•When feeling stuck or confused about how to move forward, try creating a list of all options. Learning how to generate options, even if they're not ideal, can help reframe perspectives and encourage thinking outside the box.
The delicate balance between perseverance and letting go can be an ongoing challenge, especially in the ever-evolving landscape of business. Reflecting on these guidelines should offer clarity when faced with the decision to persist or pivot.
In my many years of consulting and working with others, I've discovered that asking the right questions often leads to the unfolding of answers. Being a great consultant involves knowing how to ask the right questions, listening intently, and then providing solutions. These are skills I've honed over the past 15 years, and I'm proud to say I am genuinely good at them.
