Pivot or Persist? How to Plan Your Business’ Next Chapter

Running a business means constantly adapting. What worked last year—or even last month—might not cut it anymore.

Markets change, client needs shift, and your goals evolve. This means at some point, you’ll be faced with one of the most challenging questions every business owner encounters: Should I stay the course or make a change?

Staying stagnant isn’t an option, but deciding whether to pivot or persist isn’t easy, especially when your business is your livelihood.

In this episode, we’re diving into how you can figure out your next move. Whether it’s refining what’s already working or reimagining what’s next, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you make a confident decision.

Here’s the thing about running a business: what worked last year or last quarter might not cut it today. 

The market changes, your goals shift, and suddenly, you’re asking yourself: Should I keep going as I am, or is it time for a change?  

Deciding whether to pivot or persist is one of the hardest challenges for any business owner, especially when your business is a big part o who you are and how you make a living. 

We all know that staying the same isn’t always an option. Markets evolve, clients’ needs shift, and sometimes, the strategies that brought you success in the past just won’t take you where you need to go next.  

Today, we’re going to unpack how to make this decision.

By the end of this episode, you’ll have a clearer idea of whether to stay the course or shift gears—and, most importantly, how to make that decision with confidence and intention.

The Market Has Changed: You Can’t Stay the Same Forever

Let’s start with an undeniable fact: the market is not what it was a year ago or even six months ago.

Just think about how much has shifted since 2020. Remote work has gone mainstream, AI tools are reshaping how businesses operate, and customer budgets (and expectations) are a moving target.

As 2025 approaches, the incoming Trump administration will drive significant shifts in business, technology, taxation, and social policies. This period of economic uncertainty will have a tangible impact on how and when we spend, personally and professionally.

I know it’s easy to get comfortable with what has worked in the past, but comfort doesn’t equal sustainability. Running your business the same way year after year isn’t realistic because the world around you changes. 

So, if you feel like your business has hit a plateau or is starting to slide backward, it might not be your fault—it’s time to evolve.

Remember, focusing on what you can control is essential to ensuring your business survives and thrives in the face of challenges outside your control.

Case in point: remember how social media was a goldmine for organic growth a few years ago? Now, algorithms favor paid ads, short-form video content, and influencer collaborations. We had to adapt our social media strategies accordingly. 

The same concept applies to your services. Are they still solving the problems your clients care about most today?  

If this sounds overwhelming, you don’t have to overhaul everything overnight. But you need to regularly assess whether your business is keeping up with the times—or whether you’ve been holding onto things that no longer serve you or your clients.

Signs You Should Persist

Now, let’s talk about persistence.

As a business owner, you’re no stranger to persistence. You know it’s about staying committed and pushing forward despite challenges. It’s about adapting and learning until you hit your goals.

The key is knowing when to stay the course and when it’s time to switch things up. But how do you know?

First and foremost, you need to have the right foundations in place and clear indicators that you’re moving in the right direction. It’s far too easy to convince ourselves to stick to something that doesn’t work just because we like the idea or are simply stubborn.

When and where to persist can be applied to everything from your business model to your packages, your pricing to your target market, your marketing….and so much more.

Here are questions to consider: 

• Are you connected to this work? Is this what you want to be doing if you have to work? Do you want to serve this audience or offer these types of services? 
• Are your numbers stable? You may not be where you want to be, but you should see progress. If revenue, inquiries, or client retention are slowly improving, you might need to tweak a few things to hit your stride.  
• Do your problems feel fixable? Are you dealing with client boundaries, inefficient workflows, or underpricing? You can address those challenges without making massive changes to your business model.  

When deciding to persist (or not), remember it’s about optimizing, not clinging to what’s known or comfortable.

Persistence isn’t about sticking to the same approach forever—it’s about adapting and evolving on top of your existing foundation.

Reflect on these questions:  

• Can I refine my services to meet today’s client needs?  
• Are my marketing strategies aligned with how my audience finds solutions?  
• What can I do to get better results? 
• Is there a way to streamline my work to make it more effective? 
• Where can I charge more or differently for my work? 

Persistence is about progress, not perfection. By asking these questions, you can uncover opportunities to refine your approach, align with your audience, and maximize the impact of your work.

Signs You Should Pivot

Now, what about pivoting? How do you know when to make a more significant change?

Sometimes, no matter how much you try to fix things, your current path isn’t the right fit. Here are some clear signs that a pivot might be in order:

• You’re Over It: A surefire sign that something bigger needs a shakeup in your business is when every single day feels like a slog, and you’re totally over it. I’m not talking about a day (or week) here and there where you’re ready to burn it down, but months or even years of that feeling. 
• The Market Has Moved On: Maybe the demand for your services has dropped, or your offerings aren’t solving the problems clients care about most. If you feel like you’re swimming upstream just to get noticed, it could be that your niche is evolving.  
• Poor Product-Market Fit: If your offer isn’t gaining traction, it’s a signal to re-evaluate. Are you targeting the right audience or solving a pressing need? Refine your messaging, reposition your offer, and use feedback to align with what the market truly wants. (Or get okay with letting it go entirely.) 
• The Numbers Don’t Lie. If revenue is consistently dropping, inquiries have dried up, or client retention is a struggle, and you’ve tried making adjustments with no success, it’s time to consider a fresh approach.  

One of the biggest traps to avoid when considering a pivot is waiting too long or hesitating because of the sunk cost fallacy—the belief that you’ve invested too much time, money, or energy to change direction now. Holding onto what’s not working simply because of past investments only prolongs frustration and delays your progress.

A successful pivot requires the courage to recognize when something isn’t serving your goals and to let go of what’s holding you back.

Remember, pivoting doesn’t mean starting over. It means taking what you’ve built so far—your experience, skills, and reputation—and reshaping it into something that will work better. This could mean targeting a different audience, offering new services, or even narrowing your niche. 

But here’s the key: a pivot should be intentional and strategic. It’s not about chasing shiny objects or throwing everything at the wall to see what sticks. It’s about creating a clear plan for where you’re going next.

But How Do You Decide?

If you’re torn between pivoting and persisting, here’s an actionable process to help you make a clear decision:

Step #1: Reflect

Take a step back and evaluate the big picture:

• What’s working? Identify the aspects of your business that consistently deliver results or align with your goals.
• What’s not working? Be honest about what drains your energy, doesn’t generate results, or feels out of sync.
• What’s changed? Consider shifts in your market, client preferences, or your personal goals. Have your priorities evolved?
• How do you feel? Your gut instinct matters. If something feels fundamentally off, it’s worth exploring why.

Action Step: Write down your observations and insights. Sometimes, seeing it on paper makes patterns more apparent.

Step #2 Assess

Determine whether the challenges you’re facing are temporary or systemic:

• Temporary Challenges:
  A slow quarter, a difficult client, or a short-term market dip.
  • These issues are often fixable with minor tweaks, like refining your marketing or focusing on client retention.
• Systemic Challenges:
  • Misalignment between your services and market demand.
  • A business model that’s no longer scalable or sustainable.
  • Persistent lack of fulfillment or excitement about your work.

Action Step:  List challenges and categorize them as temporary or systemic. If most of them feel systemic, it’s likely time for a pivot.

Step #3: Explore Your Options

Once you’ve identified whether to pivot or persist, brainstorm actionable next steps:

• If You Persist:
  • What processes can you streamline or improve?
  • Are there services you should double down on or market more aggressively?
  • How can you simplify your workload to maximize efficiency?
• If You Pivot:
  • What elements of your current business can you build on (skills, experience, or client relationships)?
  • Who is your new target audience, and what specific problem will you solve for them?
  • How can you test your pivot on a small scale before fully committing?

Action Step: Determine two to three specific actions you can take relatively quickly, whether pivoting or persisting.

Step #4: Plan and Commit

Create a roadmap for moving forward by: 

• Setting Clear Goals: Define success for the next three to six months.
• Breaking It Down: Outline specific, manageable steps to achieve those goals.
• Monitoring Progress: Regularly review what’s working and adjust as needed.

Action Step: Use a project management tool or a simple checklist to track your progress and hold yourself accountable.

Deciding to pivot or persist doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By taking a structured, intentional approach, you can confidently make the best decision for your business and move forward.

Making the Call: Pivot or Persist?

So, what’s the verdict for your business? Only you can decide, but I want you to remember that the only constant is change….so will you evolve with it?  

Whether you persist or pivot, the key is to be intentional. Don’t make decisions based on fear, frustration, or shiny objects. Instead, take the time to reflect, assess, and plan. Align your business with your goals and the current market, and you’ll be much stronger for whatever comes next.