Many small and solo businesses want to rebrand or move in a completely new direction. They have trouble finding support and guidance.
So it’s one of those situations where, “Everybody’s doing it and nobody’s talking.”
Well, we changed that around. These 12 experts shared their insights into their own pivots — and the ways they help their own clients and customers pivot as well.
Here are just 7 of the themes that emerged from the calls:
1. Almost every business or career transition is a pivot.
The term “pivot” comes from basketball where you move in any direction but you must keep one foot stationary on the floor.
In business and career moves, you always keep one foot on the floor: your past experience moves with you. You experience an identity shift which can be one of the most difficult parts of pivoting.
Some of the interviewees had enjoyed successful corporate careers with the company cars, the parties at the luxury venues, the prestige associated with the company name. When you move from introducing yourself with, “I’m from IBM,” to, “I’m a new coach,” you get a completely different reception.
2. The role of intuition in a pivot.
Frankly, I was surprised! I thought everyone would want to talk about websites and blog posts. Yet once we began talking, even the most left-brained speakers talked about how they accessed their intuition. Several said, “Intuition is the best marketing coach.”
Some business owners had a process of going to a quiet place and listening; some listened to their bodies; one accesses her intuition through a Power Nap.
3. The importance of being open to learning.
One speaker said, “You have to enjoy the learning process, not see it as something to get past so you can reach your goal.”
Everyone talked about the willingness to start over, go back to school, fill in the gaps and hire a coach. Some talked about the “magic” of connecting with the perfect mentor.
4. The “just for now” mindset.
Nothing is permanent. You don’t have to commit to a new reality for the rest of your life.
One speaker tells all her clients, “This is just for now. I’m a marketing coach. Will I be one forever? No way.” That takes the pressure off.
5. You may not have a choice.
You may need to pivot due to illness or an unexpected layoff. After you reach a certain age, you’ll almost certainly need to consider self-employment, even if you never expected or wanted to make that shift.
Within your business, you have to be ready to pivot. You can design your business to be “pivot-ready” so you won’t have to tear down and start over.
6. The importance of passion
“You’ve got to like – no, love! – what you’re doing.
One speaker came up with a creative way to discover your passion: “Will I want to get up and do this on Saturday morning, even if it means skipping brunch?”
7. To avoid resistance, understand your story.
Often your reason for pivoting, your decision to pivot, and your resistance can relate to your story. We touched on this point with several speakers.
Some corporate executives have bought into the story of. “I should be taken care of. I shouldn’t have to promote myself.” They have trouble when they’re forced to pivot.
Several of the participants on this call spoke of the “I can make it happen” mindset. Two refused to accept their official medical diagnoses. One was told, “You’ll never walk again,” and she’s walking. Another was advised to cancel a trip almost before she started because she came down with a painful sciatica condition; she completed the trip and embarked on a trip to Europe two weeks later.
Are you think of pivoting your own business? Learn how to plan your pivot by telling stories.
If you’d like to listen to the calls themselves, they’re still on early bird pricing when you click here.