Adjust Goals with Purpose: Know When to Pivot

Introduction: The Courage to Adjust

Most people believe that changing a goal is the same as giving up. It isn’t. In truth, knowing when to pivot shows maturity, wisdom, and a deep understanding of purpose.

Sticking with a goal that no longer fits your values or current reality can drain energy and motivation. Adjusting your goals, on the other hand, realigns your actions with your deeper why.

In this blog, we explore:

• When to adjust your goals
• How to pivot with purpose (not panic)
• Practical examples for individuals, projects, and organisations

Let’s begin.

Why Goals Sometimes Need Adjusting

Life changes. Markets shift. Teams evolve. And sometimes, our goals don’t keep up.

As we explored in Mid-Year Goal Reset, reflection helps us pause and check if our goals are still aligned with our purpose and vision.

According to McKinsey & Company, organisations that embed agility into their goal-setting are more responsive to change and perform better in times of uncertainty. The same applies to individuals and teams.

Goals aren’t sacred. Purpose is. When goals become outdated, adjusting them is not failure – it’s a wise and intentional decision.

5 Signs It’s Time to Pivot

Not sure if it’s time to change direction? Here are five signs to look for:

1. You’re consistently stuck. You’ve been putting in the effort, but progress has stalled.
2. Feedback and data say something different. Whether it’s from your team, body, or customers – the feedback doesn’t align with your original plan.
3. Your goals no longer fit your values. What mattered six months ago might not hold the same weight now.
4. You’ve outgrown the goal. Growth means some goals become too small or irrelevant.
5. External circumstances have shifted. Markets collapse, health changes, or a new opportunity emerges.

“Sticking to the wrong goal drains energy. Adjusting frees it.” — Unchained

Practical Framework: How to Adjust Goals with Purpose

1. Reconnect to Your “Why”

The first step is to revisit your purpose. As shared in Starting 2025 with Clarity, your purpose gives direction to everything else.

Example: You set a goal to run a marathon. But your deeper why is improving mental health. Perhaps long walks in nature better serve your purpose right now.

2. Evaluate the Data

Let numbers and observations guide you. Track your actions and results. In Tools to Track Better Habits, we discussed how small patterns reveal deeper truths.

Example: A project team consistently misses deadlines. Instead of pushing harder, review the scope and assumptions.

3. Decide: Refocus, Refine, or Replace

Once you understand the gaps, choose your next move:

• Refocus: Keep the goal, but sharpen your intention.
• Refine: Adjust the timeline or scope.
• Replace: Set a new goal more aligned with current needs.

4. Communicate the Pivot

If you lead a team or run a business, communicate the shift clearly and confidently. Transparency builds trust.

Example: When Netflix moved from DVDs to streaming, they didn’t apologise. They explained the shift and invited users on the journey. (HBR: How Netflix Pivoted)

5. Reset the Plan and Recommit

Now rebuild your new plan with small, clear steps. As we outlined in Small Steps, Big Impact, consistency beats intensity.

Applications Across Life and Work

Individuals

If you’re an individual striving for a healthier lifestyle, a pivot might look like changing your fitness goal. For example, you might originally aim for intense gym sessions five days a week, but realise that this routine drains you. You pivot to daily outdoor walks and light strength training instead. This adjustment doesn’t mean giving up on fitness—it means aligning the goal with your values, lifestyle, and well-being.

Projects

In the water industry, a relevant example comes from Ofwat’s Price Review process. A water company might set out an ambitious capital delivery programme for new water infrastructure under PR24. But partway through, due to changing environmental regulations or customer feedback, the company recognises that its focus on new build projects should shift towards enhancing resilience in existing assets. By adjusting the goal, the team realigns with environmental obligations, regulatory expectations, and customer priorities—ensuring the project remains meaningful and effective.

Organisations

Spotify’s transformation offers a great case study in purposeful pivoting. Initially focused solely on music streaming, the company recognised a broader opportunity to become the world’s leading audio platform. It expanded into podcasts, audiobooks, and creator tools—without losing its core music identity. This shift not only aligned with evolving market demand but deepened engagement with existing users. (Source: Spotify newsroom)

Common Myths About Pivoting

1. Myth: Pivoting = failure
   Reality: Changing direction shows you’re awake to purpose and aligned with facts.
2. Myth: I just need more discipline
   Reality: No amount of discipline will fix a goal that doesn’t align with your purpose.
3. Myth: Others will see me as inconsistent
   Reality: Leaders pivot when the landscape changes. According to Stanford research, adaptive high-performers thrive by realigning goals, not sticking rigidly to them. (Stanford GSB)

For deeper mindset shifts, read Mindset Reset.

Checklist: Pivoting with Purpose

✅ Does this still align with my vision?
✅ What do the numbers or feedback say?
✅ Should I Refocus, Refine, or Replace the goal?
✅ Have I communicated the shift clearly?
✅ Have I created new small steps to follow?

Conclusion: Real Success is Adaptive

Purpose is your anchor. Goals are the sails. When the wind changes, smart sailors adjust course – they don’t abandon the ship.

So, if you’re feeling stuck, uninspired, or uncertain, don’t push harder. Pause. Reflect. Adjust.

Your pivot may be the very move that brings you back into alignment with who you are and where you’re meant to go.

Call to Action

✅ Share this blog with someone navigating a goal change

✅ Comment below: What goal did you have to adjust recently?

✅ Explore related tools:

• Mid-Year Goal Reset
• Starting 2025 with Clarity
• Small Steps, Big Impact

References

1. Kwegyir-Afful, C. (2023). Unchained: Success Unlocked – A Proven Framework for Achieving Your Goals
2. McKinsey & Company. “The Five Trademarks of Agile Organizations”
3. Harvard Business Review. “How Netflix Pivoted to Streaming”
4. Stanford Graduate School of Business. “Why Flexibility is Key to Resilience”
5. Spotify Newsroom. “How Spotify is Becoming the World’s No.1 Audio Platform”
6. Psychology Today. “When Changing a Goal Is the Right Move”

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