This blog is not a wealth of self-help knowledge. This blog is not a pillar of illumination. This blog is not a motivator of the masses, and, more often than not, this blog will inspire you to go to church before inspiring personal reflection. However, tonight's entry is different because tonight is a soapbox rant regarding your fears of innovation, or more commonly referred to as change.
Fortune 500 companies tout innovation on a quarterly basis. Shareholders crave it. The management of these companies remind shareholders of changes made recently and the innovations planned for the not so dissent quarter to come. The quarterly ritual of promises is done in the hopes of bolstering stock prices thus making the company net worth increase. Why? Because change sells!
If this process works for companies it can work for the average Joe. Often individuals attempt a personal renaissance in the form of a lackadaisical new year resolution. Admit it, we're less than two weeks into this new year, and you've either:
- a) failed
- b) given up
- c) all of the above
- or, worst of all, d) failed to make a commitment of change
I get it. I know why. That visceral reaction we all have to change holds us back. Change isn't easy. It's uncomfortable. It's unknown. Change is different, and we don't like different. We have a fear of failure, and there's a chance it could be a disastrous waste of time.
All excuses for why change isn't attempted, and, at the same time, all reasons change is valuable. If innovation were easy, everyone would do it, and no one would pay for it.
Innovators see the green because companies know that without innovation past mistakes are repeated. They know the inefficiencies of yesterday bog down progress. They know the opportunity for betterment is floundered. So why not change?
If you've accepted what I've said so far and are foaming at the mouth for directions on inciting change or instructions on innovation, you may be disappointed. What works for one, might not work for all. The best advice I can lend comes in short, bullet form:
- Take a Timeout - innovation rarely comes when cramming 25 hours of work into a 24 hour day.
- Take Stock - what's on the docket? what's on your plate? what are your resources? who are your allies?
- Review Your Struggles - you've always known something was amiss in that one spot, but you couldn't put a finger on it.
- Find a New Strategy - analyze the problem, find a work around, improve the process, clean up the mess.
- Be Patient - Rome wasn't built in a day and chances are your innovation won't be either.
That's it. Simple right? That's my map, my outline, my guide to tackling the future. While I'm not a success story yet, I am confident that my healthy outlook on innovation and change will eventually spur success. Because what works for companies will work for me.
Show me a company that is satisfied with the status quo. Show me a company that prides itself on stagnation. Show me a company not working towards goals and the betterment of their product or service. Show me this company and I'll show you a company doomed for failure. Is it really much of a stretch to say the same about any individual? Stop fearing change and embrace it as an opportunity. Grab change by the balls, bend it over a barrel, and show change how it's done.
Do it.
xoxo,
ShavedGolf
No comments:
Post a Comment