The Big Pivot

I used to make fun when a company announced their second or third pivot. I thought it was a desperate act, or a signal that the entrepreneur at the helm couldn’t admit failure.

That was a long time ago. I have a much better understanding of entrepreneurship than I did back then.

That I scoffed at companies and entrepreneurs that pivoted is a little embarrassing.

Especially now that it’s my turn to pivot.

What Is A Pivot?

Eric Ries, the man credited with coining the term in the context of entrepreneurial endeavors, provided the following definition of a pivot: “a change in strategy without a change in vision.”

In Ries’ book The Lean Startup (recommended reading for creative entrepreneurs of all kinds), he provides an expanded definition: “(a) structured course correction designed to test a new fundamental hypothesis about the product, strategy, and engine of growth.”

You can think of a physical pivot as a nice metaphor, too: changing direction with one foot firmly on the ground.

Why I Need To Pivot As A Creative Professional

Simply put: what I’m doing is not bringing the result I need.

If I keep handling my creative career as I am now… well, remember Rita Mae Brown’s adage from Sudden Death (often mis-attributed to Albert Einstein): “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results.”

I’d be crazy not to change. Not to mention irresponsible. And cowardly.

The Foot On The Ground (Vision)

The vision has been the same my entire adult life: to earn a living from my creative endeavors.

I defined it in more concrete terms when I issued the Transparency Challenge in July of 2014:

My goal is to earn at least $3,000.00 (the current minimum required to meet my financial obligations) each month from my own creative work or related sources (not including my work as a freelancer for others).

Earlier this month, talking with my girlfriend, I wasn’t trying to articulate my vision, but it came pouring out of my mouth in a rush, more or less like this:

“I want to make things without worrying about everything. I want you to be able to do what you want without worrying about everything. I want to help people without worrying if I can afford to take the time or make the effort.”

That, right there… that’s what I really want from my creative career. Everything else flows from those three things, and everything that’s important to me—the DIY ethic, storytelling, community, and all the rest—is contained in that flow.

And the way things are now… it ain’t happening.

The Course Correction

I know what I want.

I know that my current strategies and tactics aren’t working.

I know what I want to try next.

My pivot is coming. I’m setting the pieces in place right now.

As is my wont, I’ll be as transparent as possible about it all, both here at mattselznick.com and in messages to my mailing list community.

If folks are willing and interested, I’ll be talking about it a lot of other places, too. I think it’s… newsworthy… especially for the independent publishing and indie creative community.

Right now, though… I just wanted to let you know things are about to happen. And to hopefully have a little conversation:

Is It Time For You To Pivot?

Whether you’re an independent author, an indie musician, an entrepreneur, some kind of creator… or just feeling it in your life… is it time for you to stop doing the things that aren’t working? Do you have a plan to change?

Maybe you’ve already made the change, and have a story tell?

Let’s talk about it together in the comments.

This post, The Big Pivot appeared first on the website of author and creator Matthew Wayne Selznick. If you liked it, please click through and comment, or subscribe to the mailing list for a free e-book! Thanks!