Embracing the Pivot: Why Letting Your Goals Evolve is Essential for Success

I made a major pivot with Yumday and closed my brick-and-mortar! 🫨

As entrepreneurs, our journey is rarely linear. Sometimes, the goals that once fueled us no longer feel aligned, and that’s okay. Life changes, markets shift, and as individuals, we grow and change, too. Our values may stay constant, but the ways we pursue them might need a fresh approach.

With Yumday, several factors helped me make my decision, but the big ones were: (1) inconsistent and slower foot traffic in 2024 vs. 2023; (2) rising online sales to customers outside of the city where my shop is located, which surpassed in-town sales; and (3) the mental and emotional impact of dealing with the general public. (This last point is what really did it in for me. While I knew that being open to the public meant inviting ALL kinds of people into my space, I didn’t anticipate dealing with racism and sexism on a regular basis. 😩 But I’ll do a deep dive into this in another blog post. It’s a doozy!)

It’s important to give ourselves permission to pivot; to align our evolving goals with our core values; to do the things that keep us happy, healthy, and safe; and to recognize when it’s time for a new direction. So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m pivoting. And if you feel like it’s time to make a change in your business or career, even if it feels hard or uncomfortable right now, you can do it, too.

Need more reasons to make the change? Here are three good ones! 👇

Why We Need to Embrace the Pivot

1. Growth and Change are Inevitable

   It’s natural for our perspectives and priorities to evolve. What inspired us yesterday might not feel as relevant today, and that’s often a sign of personal growth.

2. Aligning with a Changing World

   The world is dynamic, and so is the business landscape. As we stay open to change, we remain adaptable and resilient, better positioned to meet the needs of our audience.

3. Checking in with Yourself and Your Goals

   Self-reflection is crucial in entrepreneurship. Taking the time to regularly assess whether your current path still aligns with your values can help you avoid burnout and stay inspired. When you give yourself permission to pivot, you ensure that your business is truly serving your passion and purpose.

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Of course, pivoting is never easy. It’s as hard as carrying a big, bulky sofa up and down stairs! 🛋️ But there are things you can do to successfully make pivots in business AND in life:

This January, as part of my New Year’s theme of “self,” I’m spending the month reflecting on my values and my mission for Yumday. I noticed that over the past year, my focus on maintaining a physical retail store pulled me away from what I cherished the most about my business, which is the power of storytelling to connect people with amazing makers. Now, I’m reassessing my business model, and I’m excited to return to my roots with Yumday!

1. Reflect on Your Core Values

   Just like I mentioned earlier, it’s crucial to spend time reflecting. Before making any shift, reconnect with the values that matter most to you. This foundation will help guide you in a direction that feels true, even if your goals evolve.

2. Listen to Feedback from Your Community

   Your customers and community can offer invaluable insight into what’s working and where new opportunities might lie. Their feedback can help you pivot in ways that better serve them.

3. Break Down Your New Vision into Manageable Steps

   Pivots don’t have to happen overnight. Break your transition into smaller goals, allowing you to test new directions without overwhelming yourself or your team.

4. Communicate the Why Behind Your Pivot

   Transparency is key. Let your audience know why you’re changing direction and how this shift aligns with a bigger, values-driven vision.

5. Stay Open to Continuous Iteration

   Embracing the pivot isn’t a one-time decision. Stay flexible and be willing to adjust as you go. Let your journey evolve, knowing that each step is a new opportunity to learn and grow.

It’s important to give ourselves permission to pivot; to align our evolving goals with our core values; to do the things that keep us happy, healthy, and safe; and to recognize when it’s time for a new direction. So, that’s what I’m doing. I’m pivoting. And if you feel like it’s time to make a change in your business or career, even if it feels hard or uncomfortable right now, you can do it, too.