Eight lessons to help you navigate a pivot in business

At an event last week, serial entrepreneur and TV presenter Sarah Beeny said, "people who work for themselves have a certain personality type: they are literally looking out for new opportunities ALL the time."

Whether Sarah's words resonate with you or not, I am willing to bet something. 

I bet that if you've been in business for a while now, you will be onto another idea, project, or pivot in the near future (if you don't already have a trail of those behind you!).

This I am so sure of because the entrepreneurial journey is so full of peaks and troughs that if you’ve been on this climb long enough, you'll know that every time you reach a new peak (or fail to reach it) another one appears on the horizon. 

One that represents more impact, more freedom, more profitability, more excitement, or more ease.

The question is, how do you decide which peak to climb next?

And, is it even a new mountain peak, or a new mountain range entirely?

You might have taken my quiz - What’s your Next Peak - to find yours.

Here’s some examples.... 

• Realising your business model is not serving you, so deciding that you'll keep its core value proposition but change how you serve your clients, pricing, team, etc.
  (Like a client who has been in business more than 10 years with an incredible track record but, seeing the impact of AI, is working on a new (more time-efficient) business model.)
  

• Feeling limited by what you have built so far, and unable to bridge the gap between your core services and your personal interests and beliefs.
  (Like a community leader who had been running a successful business for a few years but recently shifted focus to serve other more impact-driven initiatives that allow them to spend time on causes they truly care about.)
  

• Observing that your business has veered away from its original purpose and feels like a watered-down version of your initial vision.
  (Like an agency owner I worked with a few years back, whom I helped to really own their purpose, and in recent months they’ve kept winning agency awards for the team's innovative work.)
  

Entrepreneurs at these crossroads crave clarity—to assess their various options and to make sense of all the questions running through their minds.

Questions like:

• Do I burn my existing business down?

• Do I find someone else to run my business?

• Does this new idea fit into my existing business or need its own operations entirely?

• Am I crazy/stupid to add more to my plate?

Welp. I’ve had all these questions myself this very year, a process that began tragically after the sudden death of a client.

On the other side of my soul-searching, and through generous coaching and support from mentors, I didn’t burn anything down (!) and have worked out a way to add a new idea to the mix gradually.

If you are navigating the next phase of entrepreneurship, here's some food for thought for you today.

The power of alignment

The review process I went through made me fall back in love with my existing business, because of how aligned it is for my strengths, goals and desire for impact. 

This is a lesson I will continue to preach—and something I’ve shared with my clients—that alignment between your business and your personal values is essential. Without it, success can feel hollow, even if your business is financially thriving. At a crossroads, making sure your next move aligns with your values ensures that you build something fulfilling, not just profitable.

Balancing ambition with sustainability

Conversations I've had with clients and peers who need help deciding whether to pivot, scale, or redefine their vision always comes back to this conundrum. These entrepreneurs are ambitious—always looking to reach new heights—but that ambition needs to be balanced with sustainability. I've seen too many high-achieving business owners push themselves to the brink of burnout while chasing their next goal.

Maintaining that drive without burning out is key to staying in the game for the long run. To truly have a chance to have the impact you desire. The best thing you can do is to step back, reflect, and decide what your version of success looks like - not just the one with the most external validation.

The power of inner work

Finally, one of the most profound lessons I’ve learned, and something I emphasise to clients inside my coaching programme High Expectations, is that inner work is just as critical as business strategy. When you hit a plateau or a point of indecision, it’s not always external circumstances holding you back—but too often a mindset issue like self-doubt, fear of failure, or imposter syndrome. Often you'll have all the tactical pieces in place ready to be played but your mind is the one holding you back.

So doing the inner work—reflecting on your fears, identifying limiting beliefs, and building the confidence to push through challenges—is truly what unlocks the clarity and courage needed to move forward.

Here’s some of the advice to anyone navigating their next entrepreneurial climb:

• To improve or to pivot?: Is this about improving your existing business to meet your goals more effectively, or is it time to start something new? Confusing the two leads to frustration and wasted effort.

• Your business won’t always be able to meet your personal needs.
  Understand that sometimes, the next peak you’re chasing isn’t about business at all but about finding alignment with your personal values and growth.

• Align your next move with your core purpose.
  Before adding something new to your business, make sure it aligns with its core purpose. Otherwise, you risk diluting your vision and losing focus.

• Emotional commitment beats strategy.
  When starting a new project or business, the emotional investment you give it is more powerful than any strategy or business plan. Success comes from showing up consistently, even when it’s hard,  you’re afraid, or doubts creep in.

• Strong decision-making creates momentum.
  Indecision kills opportunities. Clarity on your goals, strengths, and values allows you to say yes to what’s in alignment and no to what isn’t. Trust yourself to make the right call.

• Every choice has a trade-off.
  Ask yourself: Am I willing to trade what I have now for the thing I say I want? Success often requires sacrifice—whether that’s financial risk or time. Consider the opportunity cost before committing to a new path.

• The sunk cost fallacy applies, even to praised projects.
  Just because others admire something you've built doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it if it no longer serves you.

• Don’t let your ego lead you into bad decisions.
  Always prioritise what’s good for your business and wellbeing, rather than making decisions to feed your ego or perception from others.

• Retreat from day-to-day operations to recharge.
  Like an artist who goes into hiding between albums, sometimes you need to step back from the day-to-day grind to come back with your next big idea.

• When an idea keeps resurfacing, give it attention.
  If an idea keeps coming back, don’t ignore it. It’s worth exploring to see if it holds the key to your next move.

I’ve always been drawn to supporting entrepreneurial people through career and life crossroads.

Which is why I’m absolutely loving the latest evolution of my 1-1 coaching -- specifically designed to help experienced entrepreneurs navigate (and then bring to life) what's next. Entrepreneurs who have High Expectations for themselves, their businesses, and the world at large. 

If your current reality isn’t cutting it, and you need strategic, personalised, and intensive support, this programme is for you.

Check it out here and if you're curious you can schedule a consultation with me, if this feels like where you’re at.