One of the hardest things about pivoting our company or our career is resisting the pull of the past.
The fact that we have decided to change our value proposition doesn’t mean the world recognizes that yet, and as a result, people and companies will come knocking at our door looking for the “old you”.
Separating from the “old you” is not trivial because to pivot, on a biological deep level, as humans, feels life-threatening.
“Burning your boats” is necessary if we really want to pivot. But to do that it’s really important we keep in touch with the survival threats pivoting triggers in us.
I wrote this post after “burning yet another boat” 😊 as a reminder to myself regarding why it is so difficult to resist the past…
Once you have any form of “fit” pivoting feels “life-threatening”
There is a reason why the ability to find our unique value and use it to support ourselves in the world is called “Making a living”.
As humans, we’re born helpless and dependent on the group.
To survive we need to belong > To belong we need to deliver value to the group.
This is the reason that once we finally find a way to deliver value (a product, a talent, a profession) we hold on to it for dear life. It is our source of belonging. It’s our way to make a living.
When we finally find the courage to pivot we put ourselves and our companies in a “life-threatening” state. We are investing in finding a new way to contribute value to the group and by doing so we effectively risk losing our place in our group.
Resisting the pull of the past feels like burning the boats
There is a saying that “If you want to take the island burn the boats”.
This is why the transition period of a pivot is so difficult.
Being “stripped” from our ability to contribute value to the group leaves us with a diminished sense of value. At this vulnerable state any voice from the past, calling upon our old skills/products/services becomes highly attractive. It is an instant opportunity to boost our sense of value.
Worse, saying no feels like we’re burning our boats. So when a potential client/partner reaches out in search of our “old you” and we find ourselves saying no it is scary. Really scary.
Saying no to the “old” you is telling your “new” you “ I believe in you!”
I found from experience that although saying no to the “old you” is terrifying and feels like burning our boats, it becomes easier each time.
With each boat we “burn” we are telling our “new you” that we believe in them… And when the “new you” feels that belief their chest lifts, and they take a deep breath of courage…
And the best part is that our “burned boats” actually become beacons signaling to the world our new location so that they can come and get the new value we are here to offer.
Did you pivot lately, are you planning to pivot? What would you find hardest to resist when they come looking for the “old you”? What would you tell yourself to ensure you stay focused on the “new you”?