Don’t Give Up. Pivot

You are exactly where you are right now because you did not give up. And because you did.

Many years ago, I had a business with a friend developing scheduling software for hotels. At that time, the staff who were responsible for that scheduling where largely not familiar with computers so it made the software a very, very tough sell.

My partner and I eventually gave up on the business and found our way into more traditional, corporate jobs.

In retrospect, I have always regretted that decision. Instead of giving up, we should have pivoted.

We were in too early to crack that part of the hotel market but we had a very valuable skillset and experience in developing advanced databases.

If we had pivoted, focused on another customer type who was more at ease with computers and adapted our original software to their specific needs, I am confident that we would have be able to build a successful business.

It often happens to us in our projects and sometimes even our careers that we arrive at a point where we are no longer making progress. We get frustrated and give up on moving further ahead on whatever it is that we are trying to accomplish.

What I learned the hard way is that instead of giving up on a project, idea or goal, often we can pivot.

Step back, look at what you have developed, the skills and experience that you have obtained. Identify where these assets, skills and experiences could be best leveraged and then make that pivot.

You would be hard pressed to find a business or successful person who at some point did not have to pivot. Starbucks started off selling espresso-makers and bagged coffee beans. Tony Blair tried to be a rock musician, Gene Simmons a primary school teacher.

My point is this. It could be a project that you are working on or some aspect of your own life. You have skills, knowledge, assets and experience that are priceless.

It is normal to get stuck. But use what you have learned from your successes and failures to give you the clues that you need as to the direction you can pivot to in order to find future success.

If something is not working for you, don’t give up. Pivot.