In the business world (and in life), there’s a fine line between persistence and stubbornness. Sometimes, sticking with an idea is what transforms an average project into something extraordinary.
Other times, holding on to a strategy that no longer makes sense can be one of the biggest mistakes. Knowing when to pivot (i.e., change course) and when to persist is one of the most valuable skills for any entrepreneur or leader.
The difference between persistence and attachment
Persistence is continuing to work on something that still shows clear signs of potential, even when results are slow to come. Attachment is insisting on an idea just because it was yours or because you’ve already invested heavily in it, ignoring market realities.
When does persisting make sense? When the data shows that the product or service is being well-received, but there are still operational or distribution challenges to be resolved.
Persistence is also valid when there are signs of genuine audience engagement, even if on a small scale.
Signs It’s Time to Pivot
Pivoting doesn’t mean giving up—it means adjusting your course to find a path more aligned with the market and your goals. Here are some important signs that it might be time to change:
- Lack of real traction: You’ve already invested time, effort, and money, but growth indicators remain stagnant;
- Lack of customer engagement: The public doesn’t interact, doesn’t buy, doesn’t recommend. Without passionate customers, there’s no sustainable business;
- Repetitive and negative feedback: When the same type of criticism appears consistently, it’s a sign that something structural needs to be fixed;
- The market has changed: Sometimes the landscape changes so quickly that what was innovative becomes irrelevant. Ignoring this can be fatal;
- Unmotivated team: When even the most engaged employees start to lose energy, it’s a red flag.
Signs that it’s worth persisting
On the other hand, there are clear signs that persisting may be the best choice:
- Consistent, albeit slow, progress: small, accumulated victories indicate that the road may be long, but there is a future;
- Positive feedback, even in small niches: a small group of enthusiastic customers can be the foundation for growth;
- Vision aligned with purpose: when the business’s mission remains alive and relevant, it’s worth fighting a little harder;
- Resources available to support the maturation period: some projects require more time and patience. If there is financial and emotional stamina, persisting can be strategic.
The importance of data and intuition
Deciding between pivoting and persisting isn’t just a matter of spreadsheets. Data is essential to show what’s actually happening, but intuition also counts—especially for entrepreneurs.
Intuition doesn’t come out of nowhere; it’s born from accumulated experience, conversations with customers, and trial and error. Combining concrete data with the sensitivity of those who experience the business day-to-day is what helps make more balanced decisions.
Conclusion
I like to say that there’s no single formula. Pivoting requires courage to abandon paths that no longer work. Persisting requires resilience to endure the natural difficulties of growth.
The big secret is not to blindly cling to any of the options. The best entrepreneur isn’t the one who never gives up or the one who changes their mind at every obstacle—but the one who can read the signs and consciously adjust their course.
Ultimately, success comes not just from a good idea, but from the ability to continually adapt it to the real world.
