Change is constant, and knowing how to pivot is essential for staying ahead. Whether you’re making an investment, rethinking your career, or adjusting your financial plan, being flexible and open to new possibilities is how you keep moving forward.

This idea goes beyond investments. It’s about having a clear plan for your life and being willing to adjust as things change. Start by getting specific: What does financial freedom mean to you? What kind of life are you working toward over the next 1, 5, or even 20 years? Asking yourself questions like, What do I really want? or Am I heading in the right direction? or Am I willing to do what it takes to increase my chances of building the life I truly desire? will help you build a plan that aligns with your vision and adapts as life evolves. By addressing both your current needs and future goals, you create a foundation for lasting success.

A strong plan is clear but flexible. Why? Because nothing stays the same. The economy shifts. Your personal circumstances change. Opportunities you never saw coming pop up, and some plans might not pan out the way you hoped. That’s okay. Success isn’t about sticking rigidly to one path—it’s about being able to adjust and keep going.

When you hit a milestone, it’s natural to start aiming higher. Progress is a moving target. Without a clear vision, though, it’s easy to lose focus. As the saying goes, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”

Ray Dalio explains this concept through what he calls the "progress loop": a process for continual improvement and achieving ambitious goals.

  1. Have a clear vision and set goals. Start by defining exactly what you want to achieve and why it matters. This clarity of purpose acts as your compass, ensuring every action you take aligns with your long-term objectives.
  2. Take action. Once your vision is clear, take massive action toward your goals. The key is to act decisively and move forward, knowing that some steps may lead to unexpected outcomes.
  3. Gather feedback and analyze results. As you take action, you’ll receive data—results, challenges, successes, and even failures. This feedback is invaluable. It shows whether you’re heading in the right direction and highlights what needs adjustment.
  4. Diagnose and refine. Use the feedback to identify bottlenecks, weaknesses, or missteps. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as opportunities to learn and improve. Ask yourself, What went wrong? What can I do better?
  5. Loop back and iterate. With each refinement, you create a new plan of action. This process repeats, driving continual growth and improvement. Over time, this loop builds momentum, helping you achieve increasingly ambitious goals while minimizing wasted effort.

One client transitioned from a corporate tech role to launching their own consulting business. By staying flexible and open to feedback, they identified new growth opportunities. Another individual, before becoming a client, was managing their own assets and had concentrated risk exposure that left them vulnerable to market volatility and the potential for permanent losses. Recognizing the challenges they faced, they sought guidance to better position themselves for the future. Together, we repositioned their portfolio to better handle the ebbs and flows of the market, reducing their risk exposure and aligning it with their goals, risk tolerance, and time frame for long-term success. These experiences show that success requires regular adjustments and a willingness to adapt.

Sometimes, you’ll need extra resources to make a pivot work. That could mean finding the right financial advisor, hiring a mentor, or adding new skills to your toolbox. Having a team of trusted advisors can provide clarity, identify opportunities, and help you make informed decisions that align with your goals. The right team—whether it’s a CPA, attorney, coach, or strategist—can make all the difference. Like they say, “You can’t see the picture when you’re standing in the frame.”

Big achievements—whether it’s a business, a relationship, or a lifestyle—don’t happen by accident. They take energy, effort, and a willingness to adapt. Some ideas will work; others won’t. That’s part of the process. The key is to learn, adjust, and keep moving forward.

Pivoting doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re growing. Whether you’re refining your financial plan, exploring new opportunities, or changing your career, every pivot brings you closer to building the life you want.

If you’ve been thinking about your finances, career, or future, consider how building the right team and plan can help you stay adaptable and on track. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it to take steps that bring your goals closer to reality.

— Mateo Dellovo

— Mateo