The biggest lesson I’ve learned as a founder? There’s no single “right” way to solve a problem. Success doesn’t come from having all the answers—it comes from thinking creatively and figuring out what works.
Each week, I break down a challenge and explore three different ways to tackle it. Pick what fits, test what doesn’t, and keep moving forward.
The Problem...
What If I Want to Change My Mind?
You make a decision. You set a goal. You tell people what you’re going to do. And then… you realize you might not want to do it anymore.
Maybe you committed to publishing something every week (*cough*). Maybe you started building a product and now wonder if you should pivot. Maybe you’ve been pushing forward, but you can’t shake the feeling that you need to go in a different direction.
So now what? Do you force yourself to stay the course because you said you would? Do you make a change and risk looking like you can’t follow through?
If you’ve ever found yourself in this situation, here are three ways to navigate changing your mind—without wrecking momentum or feeling like a flake.
Solution #1
Reframe the Commitment—Change the Plan, Not the Goal
Sometimes, the problem isn’t what you’re doing—it’s how you’re doing it. If something isn’t working, it doesn’t mean you have to abandon it completely. Maybe you just need to change the approach.
For example, I set out to send this newsletter every week. But now I’m wondering if the format, the timing, or the focus needs to shift. That doesn’t mean I stop—it means I tweak.
Another example: I once automated a big part of my workload without telling anyone. To my clients, nothing changed. But behind the scenes, I had freed up massive amounts of time by systemizing things I didn’t need to do manually. Sometimes, you don’t have to quit—you just have to adjust.
What to do:
- Ask yourself: Is the problem the thing itself, or just the way I’m doing it?
- Look for small shifts before making big changes.
- Make adjustments before burnout forces you to quit entirely.
When to use it: If you feel like quitting but still believe in the core idea, this is your move.
Solution #2
Rip Off the Band-Aid—Make the Change and Own It
Sometimes, the best thing you can do is just make the change and move forward. No over-explaining. No apologizing. Just a clean break.
If you’ve ever had to end a client relationship, stop working on a project, or pivot hard, you know how tough it can be. But dragging it out only makes it worse.
I’ve had to change contracts for major clients, stop doing things that some people loved but weren’t sustainable, and shut down ideas that weren’t worth the effort. In every case, the fear was worse than the reality. Once I made the change, it was done—and I could focus on what actually mattered.
What to do:
- Make the change now—don’t delay.
- Be upfront, but don’t over-apologize. Most people don’t care as much as you think.
- Redirect energy into what you do want to focus on.
When to use it: If something isn’t working and never will, stop dragging it out. Make the change and move forward.
Solution #3
Ask for Feedback—Let Others Help Guide You
If you’re unsure whether to change something, ask the people it affects.
Sometimes, we assume we know what people want, but we’re completely wrong. The best way to find out? Ask them.
I’ve done this in business plenty of times—polling customers, talking to early users, or running small tests to see what people actually want. But I’ve also done this with content. Instead of guessing which videos or emails resonate, I ask for feedback.
(So, real talk: If you’ve been reading this newsletter, what do you like about it? What would you change? Hit reply and let me know. No, seriously. I’ll read it.)
What to do:
- Ask your audience, customers, or team what they actually want.
- Test different versions before committing to a big shift.
- Treat change as an evolution, not a failure.
When to use it: If you’re on the fence about making a change, get real feedback before making a decision.
BTW:
I am just about to publish my new course. As promised, as soon as it's live I'll send one additional email with a link for everyone subscribed to be able to access it for free! I promise, I won't regularly be sending extra emails. (And no, I'm not changing my mind about that).
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Got a Problem?
What’s blocking your progress right now? Reply and let me know—I might break it down in a future newsletter or tackle it at First Step Entrepreneur
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