When people talk about a “pivot” in business, the story often sounds dramatic. A company makes a bold announcement. A leader reinvents themselves. A total rebrand appears to change everything overnight.
But that’s only part of the story.
The reality? Most pivots don’t happen in a single move. They unfold slowly — layer by layer, decision by decision. They’re messy, uncertain, and often unclear in the moment.
If you’ve been navigating change lately and feel like you’re stumbling through the unknown, you’re not off-track. You’re simply in the middle of the process.
Key Takeaways
- Pivots are rarely one big leap — they’re built through small, consistent choices.
- Waiting for perfect clarity before acting often disguises fear as responsibility.
- Discomfort, not confidence, is the true starting point of change.
- The “murky middle” isn’t failure — it’s part of every entrepreneur’s path.
- Real pivots prioritize curiosity over certainty.
The Problem With How We Picture Change
Entrepreneurs are told to plan big, aim far, and map out five-year visions before taking action. We’re sold the idea that pivots should be fast, flashy, and backed by bulletproof confidence.
And if you don’t have all that? The advice is usually the same: “Wait until you’re ready.”
But that’s not how change actually works. That mindset often keeps business owners stuck. It feels responsible, but in truth, it’s fear disguised as planning.
What Pivots Actually Look Like
Most pivots don’t begin with confidence. They begin with discomfort — a quiet realization that something isn’t working anymore.
Real pivots look like:
- Saying no to one more project that drains you.
- Exploring a side idea that sparks curiosity.
- Taking a meeting that opens an unexpected door.
- Trying something new before you feel ready.
For many entrepreneurs, the pivot isn’t a single bold leap. It’s a breadcrumb trail of decisions — one yes, one no, one brave step at a time.
Related – Remember, Overnight Success Is a Myth Says Guy Raz
Clarity Comes Later
One of the most common beliefs is: “Once I know exactly what I want, then I’ll move.”
But clarity rarely shows up in advance. It arrives as you move forward.
Think of it like driving in fog: you only see the next few feet of road, but the path reveals itself step by step.
If you wait until you feel 100% ready, you’ll likely never start. That’s fear dressed up as responsibility.
Instead, ask yourself:
- What am I done with?
- What no longer fits?
- What feels just a little more like me this week?
That’s how pivots begin — not with a grand plan, but with permission to take the next step.
The Murky Middle Is Normal
There’s a stage in every pivot where what you had no longer feels right, but what’s next isn’t clear. It’s uncomfortable, and many mistake it for failure.
It’s not. It’s the work.
The murky middle is where you test, adjust, and listen closely. It’s where you build something aligned with who you’re becoming — not just who you’ve been.
Redefining the Pivot
The pivot isn’t a finish line. It’s not a rebrand, a press release, or a single bold move. It’s an ongoing process of choosing what feels true, over and over again.
And that means you don’t need fearlessness. You don’t need a five-year master plan. You don’t even need certainty.
You just need the willingness to keep moving — one choice at a time — toward what’s honest for you and your business.
That’s the real pivot.