When to pivot and when to persevere
Photo by Roger Bradshaw on Unsplash
Just as they are in other careers, the demands in academia are numerous and the timelines to completion can be long. From start to finish, a research project can take years; likewise, implementation of a committee’s initiative can take many months’ worth of meetings to clear operational and logistical hurdles. At some point, you may feel stuck, bored, or even frustrated with one or more of these projects or commitments. You may then find yourself running towards new ideas, or looking for opportunities to bring more excitement into your life. But, these feelings of frustration and boredom can cloud your judgement, and make new opportunities seem more attractive than they really are. You may think that you are running towards an opportunity that will bring you career success, but you might really just be running away from things that, with some persistence, could lead to the long-term success you are looking for. Over time, repeatedly pivoting and running away from difficult situations can result in a trail of unfinished work, lost momentum, and even a reputation for being unreliable or inconsistent. If you’re always running towards something new, you may never realize the rewards of deep, sustained effort.
So, how do you know when to persevere through challenges versus when to make a strategic pivot?
First, it is critically important to have a strategic vision, and to understand the short- and long-term goals that support that strategic vision. If the project or commitment that is currently giving you frustration can meaningfully bring you a step closer to realizing your strategic vision, then it may be worth finding solutions to help you push through those challenges. In particular, if the challenges you are facing are temporary, remember that this too shall pass, and no one said it was always going to be puppies and rainbows. Similarly, if you can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and can trust that you are close to a breakthrough or success, then it could be worth pushing on. This is the idea behind ‘the dip’ popularized by Seth Godin—anything worth doing will include a moment where things get really tough, but if you can stick with it, you will reach bigger heights of success than ever before. If your frustrations are centered around a project, ask yourself whether you need to level up in some skills sets (e.g., analysis, writing, editing, visualizations), or if hiring someone with the relevant expertise can help get the project over the finish line. Recognize that frustrations are a normal—and even inevitable—part of meaningful work. Instead of seeing difficulty as a sign to quit, consider it as an opportunity for growth or connection. Seek support from your community of mentors to help make the path forward more manageable.
However, it may be time to pivot if the project or commitment no longer aligns with your strategic vision, or with your personal values. For instance, maybe part of your values is the creation of a more diverse and equitable work environment, but the mandates of the committees you serve on do not embrace those values, and often times, even work against them. Then, it would be time to find a different type of service that truly aligns with those values. Likewise, if you feel you have plateaued or if the commitment is no longer providing you with meaningful growth in areas such as knowledge acquisition, skill learning, leadership development, or network building, then it may be time to seek out new opportunities that can provide that growth. But, pivoting isn’t just a strategic decision—it can also be a highly charged emotional one. In deciding to pivot, you may feel guilt for abandoning a project or a commitment, or you may feel like you are admitting failure. However, pivoting is a choice you make for your future self. A powerful question to ask yourself is: what does my professional and personal life look like if I see this through? If the cost to your long-term career success or your mental well-being is too high, then it’s time to pivot.
When deciding whether to persevere or to pivot, make sure you give yourself space and time to make a thoughtful decision. Don’t make a rash decision in the heat of frustration. Discussing your options with trusted mentors and colleagues can give you fresh perspectives, and may even give you other, better, opportunities to consider. Also consider whether you can persevere AND pivot at the same time, a sort of trial run of each to decide which one truly aligns with your goals and values. Finally, don’t sit on the decision for too long; not deciding is actually a decision to stay. Make sure staying is what is best for you.
Persevering versus pivoting is a deeply personal decision, and a decision that should be intentional rather than reactive. If you’re struggling with this decision, take 10 minutes to write down what excites you about persevering and what scares you about pivoting. Then try it again, the other way around! If you’d like a sounding board, reach out—I’d be happy to help you think it through!
Next week: Writing sucks for everyone
