The Right Time to Pivot

Should We Give It More Time or Finally Let It Go?

As we’re approaching the last stretch of the year, I’ve been asking myself whether I need to pivot in some areas of my life. Am I still interested? Am I just disheartened? Am I being impatient? Should I throw in the towel and change course, or should I stay committed and invest even more?

One of the more difficult decisions we have to make in life is whether to stick with something - a career, a venture, an investment, a relationship, the current path - or twist and change direction. It’s much easier when someone tells us to do it, because we can always shift responsibility to them.

But as we’re now living life on our terms, only we can make the decision. Granted, others may be affected by the decision, and we will (or…should) consider them, but we are ultimately accountable for the decision.

There’s merit in both decisions, as I’ve shared in The Courage to Quit and Talent & Skill Aren’t Enough, but each comes with its own anxiety-inducing fear:

“What if I quit too early?” and “What if I leave it too late?”

It’s easy in hindsight to point to the right time, but in real time, the “right time” to pivot doesn’t come gift-wrapped in clarity and peace. We’re taught that the moment we feel like giving up is often the moment just before a breakthrough, yet if we wait too long we’re told “The signs were there”.

Typically, when we’re unsure, we tend to linger until we feel certain. Or until circumstances force our hands, but by then, it’s often too late. Let’s look at two different scriptures that highlight the tension between sticking and twisting.

To Stick

Luke 13:6-9 (NIV) - The Parable of the Fig Tree

Then he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree growing in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it but did not find any. So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, ‘For three years now I’ve been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven’t found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?’

“‘Sir,’ the man replied, ‘leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.’”

Jesus spoke about a fig tree that hadn’t produced fruit for three years. To my limited human mind, three years feels like more than enough time to use as evidence that the tree should be uprooted, i.e. time to pivot. However, the man who looked after the vineyard (the expert) called for more time.

I believe this parable reminds us that there are seasons when what we’re building simply needs more attention from us. Better stewardship and management from us. And maybe a renewed strategy. Maybe we don’t need to pivot away from it, but maybe it’s time for a different approach.

That being said, I also think there’s value in calculated patience: “Sir…leave it alone for one more year, and I’ll dig around it and fertilise it. If it bears fruit next year, fine. If not, then cut it down”. I’d like to propose the idea that if it feels like we should quit, maybe we should pause and ask ourselves if we’ve given it our absolute best efforts over the last 12 months.

If the answer is no, maybe…just maybe, we should commit to giving it one final push over the next 12 months. Maybe we should give it our all, and if it’s still unfruitful, we can pivot. Though it may not bear fruit, we will become wiser.

Note that this wasn’t a call to wait indefinitely; it’s a deliberate but final grace period coupled with increased investment. I wonder how many relationships/marriages would stand firm today if that approach was taken? But I digress.

Not every season calls for patience or added investment though. Some seasons need wisdom and urgency. Some pivots are overdue. Way overdue.

To Twist

2 Samuel 21:15-17 (NIV) - King David: The Retired Warrior

Once again there was a battle between the Philistines and Israel. David went down with his men to fight against the Philistines, and he became exhausted. And Ishbi-Benob, one of the descendants of Rapha, whose bronze spearhead weighed three hundred shekels and who was armed with a new sword, said he would kill David. But Abishai son of Zeruiah came to David’s rescue; he struck the Philistine down and killed him. Then David’s men swore to him, saying, “Never again will you go out with us to battle, so that the lamp of Israel will not be extinguished.”

In David’s later years, there’s a warning against holding on to fight or walking a path for too long. The giant-slayer who once ran towards Goliath with a sling and five stones was now weary in battle. NKJV says, “David grew faint”. NLT, “weak and exhausted”.

Speaking plainly, David was past his prime. Abishai - one of his younger, stronger men - stepped in to save David from being killed by the giant. His old ways of operating as the fierce warrior king had become dangerous, so he had to pivot. His men swore he would never go out to battle again.

I believe this text highlights to us the risks associated with staying too long: it can become dangerous physically, financially, emotionally, spiritually or mentally. Damage can be done in the process of idly waiting rather than proactively changing. Staying where God’s grace has moved from is risky business.

Not every battle is ours to fight, nor is every course of action meant to follow us into the next chapter of our lives. Just like David, to me, when a venture is depleting us to the point of weariness and our persistence is putting our health, families, finances, purpose or core vision at risk, it’s time to consider a pivot.

That being said, we typically want certainty before movement, and that brings us back around to the fundamental question: do we stick or twist?

Final Thoughts

There is a commonality in both Scriptures that isn’t lost on me: counsel. Decisions were made with the input of someone who could see what David and the vineyard owner couldn’t.

I’m a firm believer in seeking wise counsel; there’s so much value in good counsel, as they highlight things that we miss. When deciding whether to pivot, I believe we should seek wise counsel but also remember they can’t and shouldn’t choose for us.

The decision is our responsibility alone, and it is also the hardest part. Once we decide, we commit and the path reveals itself to us. If we decide to stick, we have to go all in. There’s no point continuing to do the same things that didn’t bear fruit.

Likewise, if we decide to twist (pivot), we have to shed the old skin associated with the old venture/relationship/career/etc. We have to decisively close the old chapter and go all in on the new direction. We have to do it boldly, out of faith, not fear.

I used to think being on the wrong path was as bad as it gets, but I submit to you that trying to straddle two paths, giving none of them my full commitment is worse. Indecision is a very real danger.

There is no perfect time to pivot, just the courage to make a decision with conviction and commitment. As we approach the end of the year, you may also be unsure whether you should pivot or remain. Whatever you do, ensure a decision is made.

As always, make a decision that future you will be grateful for.

Have a great week!

CT