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EPISODE 30 | Time to Pivot: How to Master Resetting Mid-Project Without Losing Your Motivation

Episode 30: Time to Pivot: How to Master Resetting Mid-Project Without Losing Your Motivation

Have you ever had the perfect plan  — with the color-coded schedule, the motivating playlist, everything all lined up — only to hit a wall that sends your brain spiraling into “I guess I’m just trash” territory? What if pivoting didn’t mean failure at all? What if it was actually a sign of growth?

On this episode of Get It Together, Weirdo, host and get-your-shit-together coach Sarah Bowser dives into the ease, creativity, and joy that can come from embracing the mid-project pivot. She explores how to let go of perfectionism, adapt when things don’t go as planned, and reframe “failure” as learning-in-progress. She opens up about her own evolution from a perfection-obsessed, project-laminating student to a self-proclaimed weirdo who experiments, adjusts, and then keeps moving forward.

This episode is proof that you can stay motivated when your plans implode, pivot without spiraling, and get shit done in your own weird, nerdy way.

Read the full transcript below, or get the PDF version of the transcript here.

Prefer to read as a blog post? Click here.

What you’ll learn in this episode

  • Why pivoting mid-project isn’t failure but experimentation and progress.
  • How perfectionism can hold your brain hostage (especially if you’re neurodivergent) and what to do about it.
  • Simple ways to reframe setbacks and see them as learning opportunities.
  • A step-by-step approach to adapting your plans without shame or burnout.
  • How asking for support (from friends, coaches, even your dog) helps you stay grounded.
  • Why messy progress is still progress, even when it’s wrapped in duct tape and weird metaphors.

Resources mentioned in this episode

  • GetItTogetherWeirdo.com: for show notes, resources, and Sarah’s Monday coworking community
  • Get It Together, Weirdo on Instagram at @getittogetherweirdo: message Sarah to share your current pivots

Noteworthy quotes from this episode

“Having to pivot doesn’t make you a failure. It doesn’t make you less capable, less worthy, less valuable.”

“That perfect plan we get so attached to? It was never actually perfect. It was a best guess, a first draft, a hypothesis.”

“Progress is still progress, even when it’s wrapped in duct tape and weird metaphors.”

“The goal isn’t perfection — it’s forward motion.”

“You’re not broken because the first plan didn’t work. You’re a brilliant, evolving human learning how to work with your brain, not against it.”

Transcript

Welcome to Get it Together Weirdo, the podcast where we dive into ways to help you figure out how you can tackle your to-dos, keep track of your side quests, and manage your time in a way that works for your brain so you can focus on nerding out on the things that make you do a happy dance. I’m Sarah Bowser, your get-your-shit-together coach and resident weirdo here to guide you on your journey. So let’s get it together, weirdo.

Hey there, my wonderfully weird friend. Welcome back to another episode of Get it Together Weirdo, where we own our chaos, ditch perfectionism, and build lives and systems that actually work for our quirky, overstimulated brains.

Have you ever started a project with the perfect plan in mind? Like, crystal clear vision, all the supplies neatly lined up, the color-coded planner open, maybe even a motivational playlist in the background. And then – bam. Something changes. You hit a wall, something doesn’t go according to plan, and suddenly you’re spiraling into that internal monologue of, “Great. Guess I’m just trash now.” Yep, been there, got the desk sign for that breakdown.

But here’s what I wanted to dig into today: Having to pivot doesn’t make you a failure. It doesn’t make you less capable, less worthy, less valuable. What it actually means is that you’re learning, you’re adapting. And honestly, that’s kind of badass.

Growing up, I laminated everything. I mean, everything. Projects, posters – I would have laminated my social life if I could have figured out how. Why? Because I wanted it all to look perfect. Immaculate. Untouchable. Like the human version of a Pinterest board. And what did that get me? Mocked, like, regularly. There was a running joke in school that if a project was laminated, it was obviously mine. “Oh, look, it’s laminated! Must be Sarah’s.” Cue everyone laughing. I am currently slouching down as low as I possibly can at my desk.

Then I got to college, and suddenly it wasn’t about perfectly color-coded worksheets anymore. It was syllabi and rubrics and a big ol’ “figure it out.” Professors weren’t checking in every day or applauding your bullet points. They handed you a mountain of work and expected you to survive. And I had to pivot. A lot. Which was hell, because I was still clinging to this belief that I had to get everything right the first time. If I needed to revise or redo something, it clearly meant I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t valuable.

Fast forward to today. Whether it’s a work project, something at home, or trying to make a simple meal plan that doesn’t include four hours of executive dysfunction – it still happens. That resistance to changing plans. That urge to fight the pivot. But I’ve gotten better. Like, so much better at adjusting and adapting and embracing the imperfections along the way. And today, we’re going to talk about how you can do that too. Because the goal isn’t perfection – it’s forward motion.

First off, let’s have a real chat about imperfection. Because holy crap, do our brains love to panic the second things get messy. We’ve all heard that whole “progress over perfection” line, right? And it’s great. Super tweetable, if that’s even still a thing. But living it? That’s a whole other ball game. Especially if you’re neurodivergent. Which, let’s be honest, if you’re listening to this, you probably are. Our brains are kind of wired to hyperfocus on doing things right – not just for other people’s praise, but for our own self-worth. Like, if I don’t get it exactly right the first time, what even is the point?

Plot twist: That perfect plan that we get so attached to? It was never actually perfect. It was a best guess. A first draft. A hypothesis. And when new info shows up – whether it’s a rabbit hole, detour, a tech hiccup, or our energy crashing because we forgot to eat breakfast again – that’s not a sign of failure. It’s a sign that it’s time to pivot, to tweak the hypothesis a bit. You’re not wrecking the project, you’re improving it. You’re learning. You’re evolving.

So let’s give that messy middle some credit, okay? Before you throw everything in the trash and declare it officially a giant disaster, I want you to pause. Take a breath. Zoom out. Instead of looking at everything from deep in the trenches, back up a bit. Take stock. What have you already done? What’s gone well? Even if you’ve hit a snag now, that doesn’t erase the fact that you started. That you’ve made progress. Even if it’s just a few steps. Those steps matter.

Then, gently look at the parts that didn’t go so well. Where did the train start to wobble? No judgment, just curiosity. Progress is still progress, even when it’s wrapped in duct tape and weird metaphors.

Now that we’ve taken a non-judgmental peek at what’s worked and what hasn’t, let’s shine a light on those pesky obstacles. Maybe it was a system that didn’t quite click. Maybe your executive function decided to take a nap mid-task. Maybe a life thing happened – sick kid, work explosion, existential dread spiral after reading the news. Been there way more often than I’d like to admit. But whatever it was, let’s name it. Call attention to it. Don’t let it hide in the trees or attack you like the killer rabbit from Holy Grail. Just acknowledge it, and then brainstorm: What could you try instead? If the original strategy didn’t work, what might?

Don’t worry if the ideas feel silly or weird. Hell, if you have the holy hand grenade of Antioch, chuck it at the damn rabbit – I mean, obstacle. This experimentation is just that: an experiment. It’s not a court trial. The weirder you get, the better, in my humble opinion.

So now we’re in adapt-and-adjust territory. Also known as the choose-your-adventure part of the process. Take those brainstormed ideas and narrow them down. Pick one or two that feel the most doable, or exciting, or even mildly tolerable. That counts. Then treat it like a science experiment. Make a hypothesis: “If I try this method, it might help me finish the project without melting down.” Cool. What steps do you need to do just to get things started? What supplies do you need? Who do you need to warn that you’re about to try something new and potentially weird? Do those things without getting too mired in the details. Make a simple plan to get started, and then go from there. Test it. Try it. See what happens.

And if it doesn’t work? You didn’t fail. You just gathered more data. Again: learning.

And if you’re feeling stuck, you don’t have to do it alone. Seriously, you can reach out to a friend, an accountability buddy, a coach – hi – or even your dog, if they’re particularly good at listening and giving semi-nonjudgmental stares. I have huskies. Their stares are almost always judgmental, though. Sometimes just saying out loud what you’re struggling with helps your brain process it better. Find someone who gets it. Join a co-working space. Message a weirdo internet friend. Pop into our community on Mondays. Whatever support looks like for you, let yourself ask for it. Because I promise, your brain doesn’t need to do this solo on hard mode.

And you? You are absolutely not the only one pivoting mid-project. We’re all out here trying to adjust our blueprints with chewed-up crayons and sheer force of will.

So here’s what I want you to do today: Think about one project or goal that you’re currently working on. Could be big, could be tiny. Something personal, professional, or even just the system you’re trying to create. Then ask yourself: What’s one small adjustment I could make today that might help me stay motivated and keep going? Just one. And if you want to share it, I’d love to hear about it. Pop over to Instagram, send me a message, join our Monday co-working crew, tell us what you’re working on and where you’re pivoting.

Remember, you’re not a failure for changing course. You’re not broken because the first plan didn’t work. You’re a brilliant, evolving human who’s learning how to work with your brain, not against it. And that is badass.

Thanks so much for listening today. You can find complete show notes, like links to resources mentioned, as well as a link to our co-working community, on our website getittogetherweirdo.com. Be sure to leave a rating or review and check me out on Instagram @getittogetherweirdo. Feel free to shoot me a DM – I’d love to hear from you.

Until next time, my wonderful weirdo. You’ve got this. Bring out your weird.

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