January 15, 2025

Unlocking the Power of the Pivot: Takeaways from Sarah Schaff’s Journey

Pivoting in life and business isn’t just about making changes; it’s about navigating uncertainty with intention, self-awareness, and a clear framework. In this episode of Unfinished Business, Sarah Schaff shared her incredible journey—from lawyer to entrepreneur to executive coach—filled with actionable insights and inspiring anecdotes. Here are the top takeaways:

1. Embrace the Power of Pivots

Pivots can range from minor course corrections to monumental life shifts. Sarah highlighted that pivots might be chosen or thrust upon us, but our ability to adapt and react is crucial. Recognizing when something isn’t working and adjusting accordingly is a key skill in both life and business.

2. Work Backwards from What You Want

Sarah’s approach to problem-solving is all about working backward. Whether transitioning out of litigation or managing a health crisis, she starts with a clear goal and asks: What would need to be true to achieve this? Breaking big objectives into actionable steps made her pivots less overwhelming and more achievable.

3. Rational Thinking vs. Emotional Instinct

Sarah balanced rational planning with gut instinct throughout her life. Her first pivot—leaving litigation for corporate law—was methodical and strategic. Later, an emotional “aha” moment led her to leave Google and start fresh. The key is knowing when to lean on logic and when to trust your intuition.

4. Learn from the Data, Even When It’s Hard

One of Sarah’s biggest business lessons came from realizing her original business idea wasn’t sustainable. Listening to the data, she pivoted to a completely different industry, turning a consumer goods business into a SaaS company. Letting go of what isn’t working—even when it’s painful—opens the door to better opportunities.

5. Use the “Pivot Pyramid” Framework

Sarah introduced the Pivot Pyramid, a tool for evaluating the scale of a pivot. It starts with minor adjustments, like tweaking growth strategies, and moves down to more drastic changes, such as targeting a different customer base. This framework ensures pivots are intentional and tied to clear signals from the market or personal goals.

6. Culture Beats Strategy

Whether you’re pivoting in a company or your personal life, Sarah emphasized the importance of building accountability into your habits or organizational culture. Regular reflection and measurement—like OKRs (Objectives and Key Results)—help you stay aligned with your goals.

7. The Freedom of Facing Fear

After enduring personal tragedies and health challenges, Sarah found freedom in confronting her fears. She realized that when the worst happens, the fear of failure loses its power. This mindset shift allowed her to take bold leaps, including starting her first company and navigating breast cancer treatment.

8. Leverage Your Network for Faster Growth

When starting something new, Sarah’s advice is simple but powerful: Find someone who has done it before and ask for their advice. People are often willing to share their insights, and learning from their experiences can save you time and stress.

9. Reflection Fuels Progress

Sarah highlighted the importance of retrospectives, whether in business or personal life. Looking back at what worked, what didn’t, and why ensures that every experience—good or bad—is a chance to grow and refine your strategy.

10. Follow Your Instincts and Take the Leap

Sometimes, the best decisions don’t come from spreadsheets or pros-and-cons lists. Sarah’s biggest pivots often started with a gut feeling—like taking a 23andMe test that uncovered her breast cancer risk. Trusting her instincts led to life-saving action and career-defining changes.

Sarah’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of intentional change. Whether you’re considering a career pivot, starting a business, or simply rethinking your next steps, her insights offer a roadmap for making it happen.

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