The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. ~ Proverbs 22:3
I can understand how hard it is to change. You get used to a way of doing things, and the familiar becomes comforting. It’s a form of security.
I do think many times it’s a disadvantage being in an industry for years compared to the new person who can start with fresh eyes and modern technology. The newbie does not carry sunk-cost bias or a dogmatism around a status quo.
When things are easier to build than they were before, then change becomes something that is commonplace. Your position is a temporary one until someone comes along with an improved approach or technology.
Thus, it’s not so much trying to achieve perfection in what you are doing as it is to always questioning, reevaluating and pivoting on your assumptions that counts.
Pivoting should be a continuous part of how you do business. It’s not for only crises moments. In fact, if you face a crises, you may not have looked ahead. You kept your nose down working hard while things around you were changing. Thus, the Proverb, “the simple keep going…”
Pivoting is a different kind of commitment. It’s an acknowledgement of reality and how the gears of change are moving at high RPM’s. It’s a strategy that works because too many people are able to innovate now compared to time’s past and this affects you.
Thus, consider tweaking how you approach business with more of a pivoting approach and strategy:
1. Look around continually. Assume what you are doing has to bend and change continuously. Always benchmark against competition, customer feedback and market shifts.
2. Don’t commit. Forget the 10-year lease, fixed costs and binding contracts. Seek to keep your overhead and tools on subscriptions and without legal entanglements. This way you can pivot if you had to uproot your entire business model.
3. Practice daily pruning. It’s likely you overcommitted or have things that don’t matter. The habit of getting rid of things helps you become more detached. It’s good for your mindset and the opportunity to create more clarity.
4. Ask, “What if?” This opens your mind to opportunities. If you don’t practice seeing opportunities, then it’s easy to get stuck. See if you can spot opportunities to grow, collaborate or monetize with tweaks to what you are doing.
Pivoting is not something you do as a getaway and event. It’s part of a sensible regular business approach because reality is changing at a rapid pace all the time.
Getting stuck is a fool’s game.
How would this strategy work for you?
