Do You Push Harder Or Do You Pivot?
Winners don’t quit. Quitters don’t win.
These sayings are part of the cultural consciousness because everything we’ve been taught about success is that it takes grit, resilience, and perseverance to achieve success.
That might not sound too controversial to you, but there is a lot more to success than that.
There will be times to urge yourself on, to keep going and there are other times when you may recognize that taking a step back and rerouting your path is the right move.
This is something that every single person with goals will face at some point. You aren’t getting the results you want, your efforts aren’t gaining traction, and it feels like everything is slipping through your fingers no matter how hard you work.
So, do you push harder? Or do you pivot?
The difference between success and failure is knowing when to push and when to pivot. I understand how difficult it is to pivot when you’re sold on an idea or a goal. It almost feels like giving up and some people may tell you that it is giving up. But, when you take a wrong turn, your GPS will simply reroute your journey from where you are.
If you start thinking about pivoting as rerouting it will get much easier to accept that it’s something necessary, whether you took a wrong turn, or you’ve run into roadworks. Hopefully, I can provide you with a bit of understanding on knowing when to push and when to pivot.
Perhaps some of the best examples of pivoting rather than giving up are found in some of our most famous products. According to Business Insider, Coca-Cola’s intended purpose was to battle morphine addiction and Listerine was a surgical anti-septic. Bubble wrap? That was wallpaper! Play-Doh? That was wallpaper cleaner! Did you know 7-Up was supposed to be a mood stabilizer?
And the slinky was supposed to be a Naval ship stabilizer? Knowing when to pivot was key to launching some of the most successful products on the market, so change your opinion on what it means to pivot and let me help you, figure out when you should.
A New Outlook On Perseverance
Perseverance is often associated with sheer willpower, pushing forward despite obstacles, refusing to give up, and grinding through adversity. While determination is crucial to success, there’s a smarter, more effective approach: adaptive perseverance.
Unlike rigid perseverance, which can sometimes lead to burnout or wasted effort, adaptive perseverance allows you to persist with flexibility, adjusting your approach while staying committed to your goals.
In a rapidly evolving world where obstacles, failures, and unexpected changes are inevitable, adaptive perseverance is a superpower. It enables you to navigate challenges with resilience, emotional intelligence, and strategic thinking.
What Is Adaptive Perseverance
Adaptive perseverance is the ability to persist in the face of challenges while staying flexible in your approach. It means recognizing when something isn’t working and being willing to adjust without abandoning your goal. Instead of stubbornly pushing forward with a failing strategy, you adapt and refine your methods.
Key Elements Of Adaptive Perseverance
- Commitment to the Goal, Not Just the Method – Adaptive perseverance means being dedicated to your end goal but open to changing how you get there.
- Resilience and Emotional Regulation – The ability to manage frustration and setbacks without losing motivation.
- Self-Awareness and Reflection – Recognizing when to pivot versus when to push forward.
- Growth Mindset – Viewing failures as learning experiences rather than insurmountable obstacles.
- Resourcefulness and Creativity – Finding new ways to solve problems when the old ones don’t work.
Why Adaptive Perseverance Matters
Many people think that perseverance means “never giving up.” However, this mindset can be counterproductive if it leads to blindly pushing forward without considering alternative approaches. Adaptive perseverance acknowledges that progress isn’t always linear and that sometimes, the smartest move is to change direction while maintaining the same ultimate goal.
Psychological Benefits
- Reduces Frustration and Burnout – You avoid the exhaustion of repeatedly trying the same failing strategy.
- Boosts Problem-Solving Skills – You develop the ability to think critically and adjust your approach.
- Enhances Resilience – Instead of feeling defeated by setbacks, you learn from them.
- Encourages Emotional Intelligence – You become more attuned to when to persist and when to pivot.
Real-Life Examples of Adaptive Perseverance
- Thomas Edison – Instead of giving up after thousands of failed attempts at creating the light bulb, he adjusted his approach until he found the right materials.
- J.K. Rowling – Rejected by numerous publishers, she continued submitting her manuscript but also improved it with each rejection.
- Elon Musk – Faced near bankruptcy with Tesla and SpaceX but pivoted his financial strategy to keep his vision alive.
How To Develop Adaptive Perseverance
Building adaptive perseverance requires a combination of mindset shifts and practical strategies. Below are key steps to cultivate this powerful trait.
Set Clear Goals But Stay Flexible On The Path
Your goals should be specific, measurable, and meaningful. However, the method you use to achieve them should be adaptable.
How to Apply This:
- Write down your goal and list multiple possible ways to achieve it.
- Regularly review and refine your approach based on what’s working and what isn’t.
- Accept that the journey to success is rarely a straight line.
Example: If your goal is to lose weight, instead of rigidly sticking to one diet plan that isn’t yielding results, you could explore alternative methods like intermittent fasting, strength training, or mindful eating.
Develop A Growth Mindset
A growth mindset, a concept popularized by psychologist Carol Dweck, is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This is crucial for adaptive perseverance because it allows you to see failures as opportunities to grow.
How to Apply This:
- Replace self-defeating thoughts with constructive ones (e.g., “I’m not good at this yet, but I can improve”).
- Analyze failures to identify lessons rather than seeing them as evidence of inadequacy.
- Seek feedback and continuously refine your approach.
Example: If you’re struggling to master a skill, rather than thinking, “I’m just not good at this,” shift your mindset to, “What can I learn from this setback, and how can I adjust?”
Develop Self-Awareness Through Reflection
Self-awareness allows you to recognize when a particular approach is not working and when adjustments are needed.
How to Apply This:
- Keep a journal to track your progress, emotions, and setbacks.
- Ask yourself regularly: “Is my current approach leading me closer to my goal?”
- Be open to feedback from mentors, peers, or experts.
Example: If your business isn’t growing despite your marketing strategy, rather than assuming the business itself is failing, reflect on whether a different marketing approach could yield better results.
Build Resilience Through Emotional Regulation
Resilience is the ability to stay strong in the face of adversity. Developing emotional regulation skills helps prevent discouragement from setbacks.
How to Apply This:
- Practice mindfulness and stress management techniques.
- Reframe negative thoughts into neutral or positive ones.
- Focus on what you can control rather than dwelling on setbacks.
Example: If you get rejected from a job, instead of thinking, “I’ll never succeed,” reframe it as, “This is feedback that I can use to refine my approach for the next opportunity.”
Stay Open To Alternative Paths
Stubbornly clinging to one method when it’s clearly not working can be detrimental. Adaptive perseverance means exploring alternative solutions.
How to Apply This:
- Brainstorm different ways to achieve your goal.
- Seek advice from experts or mentors who can provide fresh perspectives.
- Be willing to step outside your comfort zone to try new approaches.
Example: If one career path isn’t working out, rather than forcing it, consider alternative industries or roles that align with your skills and passions.
Know When To Pivot Vs. When To Persist
One of the most challenging aspects of adaptive perseverance is knowing when to change direction and when to keep pushing forward.
How to Apply This:
- Use the “Three-Strikes Rule” – If you’ve tried three well-thought-out approaches and none have worked, consider pivoting.
- Ask: “Am I making progress, or am I just repeating the same mistakes?”
- Differentiate between short-term struggles (which require persistence) and dead-end paths (which require adaptation).
Example: If a business venture is consistently unprofitable despite adjustments, it may be time to pivot to a different business model rather than sinking more resources into the same failing approach.
Cultivate A Problem-Solving Mindset
Adaptive perseverance thrives on creative problem-solving. When faced with an obstacle, focus on finding a solution rather than dwelling on the difficulty.
How to Apply This:
- Break problems into smaller, manageable steps.
- Use brainstorming techniques like mind mapping to explore different solutions.
- Collaborate with others to gain fresh insights.
Example: If you’re struggling to finish a project on time, instead of stressing, look for efficiency hacks, delegate tasks, or reassess your priorities.
Pivoting Versus Pushing Harder
What It Means To Pivot
Pivoting means changing your approach while keeping your overall goal or purpose intact. It doesn’t mean quitting or giving up, it means adapting based on new information. A pivot could involve:
- Switching tactics, strategies, or methods
- Altering your timeline or expectations
- Targeting a different audience or market
- Redirecting efforts to a more viable path
Example: A business owner finds that their product isn’t selling well to their initial target audience. Instead of shutting down the business, they pivot by repositioning the product for a different demographic.
Remember – choosing to pivot isn’t failing and it isn’t an admission of failure either.
Choosing to pivot is taking a bold step forward and the reason to take that step is to move you closer to something better. You want to achieve your goals and staying on the same worn-out path that isn’t working isn’t more noble than pivoting.
What It Means To Push Harder
Pushing harder means continuing on the same path despite difficulties because the goal is still viable. It often requires:
- Strengthening your skills or knowledge
- Developing greater resilience and patience
- Overcoming temporary obstacles
- Refining your execution rather than overhauling your strategy
Example: An athlete struggling to improve their performance doesn’t quit or change their sport but instead intensifies their training, changes their diet, and works with a coach to refine their technique.
Know The Signs
It’s a lot easier to figure out where you’re going wrong in a business context. If there is hard data to figure out how much you’re selling or what you’re selling, it’s easier to know if it’s all going wrong and fix it before it’s too late.
It’s tougher to see the signs when you’re working on yourself, or something related to your career. If you’re chasing a promotion, you might not realize how far off you are until it’s too late. If you’re stagnating, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re set to fail, but if you ignore the stagnation, you are sure to fail.
That same idea can be applied to personal and career development goals. What are you doing to grow? If you’re not doing anything at all, then you’re stagnating.
Sometimes, you pour your time, money, energy, and focus into something just for the sake of grinding, but if it’s not reaping rewards, it’s an endless grind for nothing.
5 Key Signs It’s Time To Pivot
Pivoting is necessary when your current approach is no longer serving your goal effectively. Think about it like this…
- Are you constantly grinding but getting nowhere?
- Are you facing struggles constantly?
- Is there a lack of confidence in you from the people around you?
Are you stretched so thin that you worry you may burn out? Are you facing roadblocks that make progress feel too far away or downright impossible?
If you’re burning through your resources (time, money, energy, focus) without seeing any light at the end of the tunnel, it might just be time to pivot.
It’s all about recognizing the signs and accepting that it doesn’t mean failure, it means changing your plans enough to ensure you succeed.
Here are the key indicators that it’s time to shift gears:
Lack of Progress Despite Multiple Adjustments
- You’ve tried different variations of your strategy, but none have led to significant improvements.
- Despite consistent effort, the results remain stagnant or worsen.
- You feel like you’re running in circles rather than making meaningful progress.
Example: A startup has tried multiple marketing strategies but still struggles to attract customers. They pivot by shifting to a subscription-based model instead of a one-time purchase model.
External Circumstances Have Changed Significantly
- Market conditions, technology, industry trends, or customer needs have shifted.
- A previously viable strategy is no longer relevant or competitive.
- You face systemic obstacles beyond your control (e.g., economic downturn, new laws, technological disruptions).
Example: A restaurant business struggles due to a decrease in dine-in customers post-pandemic. Instead of shutting down, they pivot to a takeout and delivery-based model.
Passion and Motivation Have Diminished
- You feel uninspired or drained by your current path.
- The work feels forced, and your enthusiasm is declining.
- You no longer align with the vision that originally drove you.
Example: A musician loses passion for their current genre and struggles to produce new work. They pivot by exploring a different style of music that reignites their creativity.
Evidence Suggests A Different Path Would Be More Effective
- Data and feedback indicate that another approach has greater potential for success.
- Experts or mentors suggest that your strategy is outdated or inefficient.
- Comparative analysis shows that others succeeding in your field are using different methods.
Example: A blogger realizes that long-form content isn’t gaining traction, but shorter, more visual posts perform well. They pivot by focusing on infographics and video content instead.
The Cost Of Persistence Outweighs The Potential Benefits
- Your time, energy, or resources are being depleted with no clear payoff in sight.
- The emotional, financial, or physical toll is becoming unsustainable.
- The goal no longer aligns with your values, priorities, or well-being.
Example: A person working a high-stress job realizes that no amount of effort will make it fulfilling. They pivot by switching careers to one that aligns better with their strengths and values.
When To Push Harder: 5 Key Signs You Should Keep Going
Sometimes, difficulties are just temporary obstacles rather than signs that you need to pivot. Here’s how to recognize when you should stay the course and push through challenges.
You’re Seeing Small Wins And Incremental Progress
- Even though growth is slow, you notice measurable improvements.
- You’re making steady progress toward your goal, even if it’s not happening as quickly as you’d like.
- Feedback suggests you’re on the right track, even if results aren’t immediate.
Example: A writer receives multiple rejections but gets personalized feedback and encouragement from publishers. Instead of pivoting, they keep refining their manuscript.
The Challenges Are Temporary, Not Permanent Roadblocks
- The difficulties you’re facing are part of the normal learning curve.
- Others who have succeeded in your field faced similar struggles and overcame them.
- You recognize that challenges are opportunities to develop resilience and mastery.
Example: A first-time marathon runner struggles with endurance. Instead of quitting, they adjust their training plan and gradually improve their stamina.
You’re Still Passionate And Energized Despite Setbacks
- Setbacks don’t drain your motivation; they fuel your determination.
- You still believe in your goal and feel excited about the process.
- The journey, despite its difficulties, remains deeply meaningful to you.
Example: A tech entrepreneur faces financial difficulties but remains excited about their product’s potential. They push harder by securing additional funding and refining their business model.
Trusted Mentors And Experts Encourage You To Keep Going
- People with experience in your field advise you that success takes time.
- Your mentors see potential in your efforts and urge you to persist.
- Feedback suggests that patience and consistency will eventually pay off.
Example: A musician struggling to gain recognition is encouraged by industry professionals to keep performing and releasing music. Instead of pivoting to a different career, they persist.
You Haven’t Fully Explored All Possible Strategies
- You realize there are still viable options left to try before pivoting.
- You haven’t exhausted all learning opportunities, coaching, or skill-building avenues.
- There are tweaks and refinements that could still improve your approach.
Example: A student struggling in a subject realizes they haven’t yet tried private tutoring or alternative study methods. Instead of switching majors, they push harder by seeking additional help.
So, you understand the importance of knowing the signs to pivot. It’s just as important that you know when to push because sometimes, it’s just a case of refining your plans, goals, or ideas and giving them more time.
Just because you run into an obstacle, doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. Sometimes, that’s a sign to dig deeper, sometimes it’s a sign to gather more evidence to strengthen your plan and approach.
Why did you choose this path in the first place? You can’t lose sight of your ultimate goal and the reason you were inspired to chase it.
Are you still as passionate about it as you were at the start? While everyone has a strong set of core values, our values do evolve over time and it’s worth revisiting your values and your core mission from time to time to make sure it still resonates with you.
Maybe the reason it’s not quite working out is because it isn’t what you want anymore. Be prepared for that eventuality.
When you do choose to persist with confidence, understand that perseverance doesn’t mean being rigid. You can still adapt your plan and stay true to your purpose. Validating your ideas and efforts isn’t just about staying the course, it’s about creating the right environment for success.
A Decision-Making Framework: Should You Pivot or Push Harder?
When you’re at a crossroads, use the following framework to guide your decision:
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation
- What are my current results?
- Have I seen any progress, even small improvements?
- How long have I been trying this approach?
Step 2: Identify The Root Cause Of Challenges
- Are my struggles due to lack of effort, knowledge, or external circumstances?
- Have I received constructive feedback that suggests my approach needs adjustment?
- Am I emotionally exhausted, or do I still feel excited about this goal?
Step 3: Explore Alternative Approaches
- Are there modifications I can make rather than a full pivot?
- Have I tried different variations of my strategy?
- Is there external evidence that suggests another approach would be more successful?
Step 4: Consider The Long-Term Consequences
- What will happen if I continue on my current path?
- What will I gain or lose if I pivot?
- Will I regret giving up, or is this the right time to move on?
Step 5: Make An Informed Choice
- If your efforts are showing progress, keep pushing harder.
- If you’re hitting a dead-end with no viable path forward, pivot.
- If you’re uncertain, experiment with small changes before making a major decision.
Examples Of Pivoting Versus Pushing Harder
The right tools will help you evaluate your next move, but sometimes, the best push is seeing a real-world example of how other people have navigated similar issues. I’m sure you’ve heard the stories about various authors who were rejected dozens upon dozens of times before finding success and that could be a helpful motivator for you. Knowing that persistence can pay off without changing a single thing… but there are also some major brands that have famously pivoted their way to success.
Slack might be the bane of your working existence, but it was originally called Glitch, and its purpose was to improve collaboration in multiplayer gaming situations. It didn’t take off and because it didn’t take off, they shifted the focus and decided to use it as an internal communication tool. The success they experienced in doing so encouraged them to rework the product and the plan and launch it as a workplace collaboration platform.
Block, Inc. (formerly known as Square) was a small business payment processing system. They did so successfully, but it didn’t take the company long to recognize that they could scale their business to encompass much broader financial solutions.
As a result, they moved into Cash App, cryptocurrency services, and peer-to-peer payments. They didn’t walk away from their original purpose, they pivoted to diversity in the services they provided, and as a result, they became a major player in financial technology.
I already touched on some of the big brands that pivoted from their original marketing. I want to show you some inspiring tales of perseverance now. These are recent examples, and hopefully, this, combined with the big pivots will inspire you to make the best decision for you and your goals. I hope they can help you find clarity.
The online psychology company Talkiatry entered a crowded market and with so much competition in telehealth, they would have been forgiven for dropping their business model. However, rather than pivoting, they doubled down, honing in on improved access to services and in doing so, secured further investment that has allowed their business to grow.
Gcash’s bid to make waves in the financial services industry raised eyebrows about whether a telecom provider could succeed. They expanded the mobile wallet options they provided and focused on providing user-friendly solutions, partnering with major banks to deliver financial solutions that worked. Now, it’s one of the most dominant mobile payment platforms in the industry.
Success comes from a range of approaches, whether you decide to push harder or you recognize that it’s time to pivot. The key is thoughtful decision-making and you can change your mind, too. If you choose to push harder now, you can still pivot later. If you choose to pivot now, you can still pivot back or pivot in another direction if you need to. That’s because we and the world are constantly evolving, so adapting to that is inevitable.
Final Thoughts
Building something you believe in will never be straightforward and deciding whether to push harder or pivot can be difficult to determine. A lot of people want to keep pushing because they are holding on too tightly to their original plan or idea.
Whether you decide to push harder or pivot, there are challenges and opportunities on both paths. You will have to overcome setbacks and problem-solve on the fly – that’s life!
The core of success comes from listening and responding when things don’t work and recognizing when it will work but might just need a tweak or two or when radical change is the only answer. There are a range of tools at your disposal and staying adaptable doesn’t necessarily mean you have to abandon your passion. It’s all about refining your passion until it connects just right.
Think of pivoting as an evolution rather than a failure.
The most successful people are willing to change, adapt, diversify, and do what it takes to tweak their plans to achieve the success they want. The journey to success is never linear – you will run into difficult choices, you will face moments of uncertainty, and there will always be twists and turns that nobody can predict. As long as you’re moving with clarity and open to adapting to changes, then you’re ready to pivot and you’re just as ready to persevere.
If you choose to persevere… that doesn’t mean you can’t pivot later. It’s not all or nothing and you don’t need to let other people push you into thinking it is.
Just take a deep breath, take a step back, and evaluate the road up ahead before you make any decisions, and when you do make a decision, make a plan! You can do this, you just have to find clarity and keep building.
Many people associate success with relentless perseverance. However, history shows that smart persistence, adaptive perseverance, is the key to sustainable success.
By balancing resilience with flexibility, you ensure that your efforts are both effective and sustainable. The ability to shift strategies while staying committed to your goals will make you more resilient, innovative, and ultimately more successful in the long run.
Key Takeaways:
- Perseverance doesn’t mean stubbornly sticking to one failing strategy, it means staying committed while adapting.
- Developing a growth mindset helps reframe setbacks as learning experiences.
- Self-awareness and emotional regulation are critical for knowing when to push forward and when to pivot.
- Problem-solving and creativity allow you to find alternative ways to succeed.
By mastering adaptive perseverance, you empower yourself to thrive in any area of life—no matter what challenges come your way.
Don’t forget to celebrate every win to keep up your momentum. It’s an important part of the success story and that is true whether you’re pushing harder or pivoting down another path.
