Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One

by Jenny Blake

Financial Benchmarks Money saved (Pivot runway): Ideally, you should have at least six months of savings to see you through a launch. Make sure that leaving your current job or clients will not send you into your panic zone due to financial stress. Ensure that you have enough financial runway to buy time to generate momentum in your new direction. Money earned (When my side hustle earns X dollars or more): Although your side hustle earnings may not yet equal your salary, analyze their likelihood of generating cash flow. Can they realistically provide you with recurring income? If not, it is probably a riskier gamble and should remain a side hustle. Stay until OBO (Or Better Offer): Only change if a more enticing offer appears. Specific size compensation: When considering competing offers, does the new offer match or exceed your current financial package? What is your minimum threshold for accepting another offer? What is your ideal offer? If a new offer provides exciting growth opportunity but lower pay, is that trade-off worth it to you? Can it provide other benefits such as more vacation time, flexible hours, or remote workdays to make up for the lower salary? Financial incentive tied to a date (When I get my bonus, or when this deal goes through): Although you will want to consider if you are leaving unrealized gains on the table (something I cover in more detail at the end of this chapter), if you have a bonus coming that you have worked hard to earn all year, it behoo...