Category: Growth

Growth

The model

The model version of a car or home is seen in the best condition. The well dressed mannequin always wears the clothes beautifully and the tech device runs smoothly in the store. That is the purpose of the model version, to appear without fault.

The upkeep of the model is not sustainable over a lifetime and is often replaced by a newer model eventually. Because interaction with the world leaves a mark, and a newer version will take the place of what is considered to be worn out.

For selling items it is understandable why retailers choose to have a model version on display. The goal is to create a flawless experience so that users can imagine their lives with the item.

This is an acceptable strategy for marketing items, it should not be a strategy for living our lives. Our flaws tell the story of our existence, unfortunately, too many of us may be living our lives like it’s the model.

Growth Perspective

Fire

My childhood lesson about fire was that it’s hot, dangerous, unpredictable, can burn and to stay away. The other day, someone shared with me another lesson on fire, one that they learned from their visit to Yellowstone National Park. After a large fire in 1988 that burned 63 percent of the total acreage at Yellowstone, scientist learned that:

– Temperatures of the fire were only high enough to kill less than one-tenth of the roots of plants.

– If water was available, new plant growth began within a few days.

– Plant growth was unusually lush in the first years after a fire.

I also learned that a number of plants need fire to survive because they rely on fire to release their seeds. 

While our perception of fire is that it’s hot, unpredictable and dangerous, when can it also be a vehicle to help us thrive? Dulling the fire may keep us safe, but how does its suppression keep us from growing?

Brand Strategy Growth

Creating value

There are instances where a brand offers a great product or service that people do not associate the appropriate value to. This produces a disconnect based on what something is worth. It is costly because a brand that is not able to effectively communicate value, runs the risk of becoming extinct.

The definition of value is….

val·ue

The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something.

Being undervalued is a hard barrier to overcome. But we are more likely to create value when we effectively communicate our importance, worth and usefulness.

Growth Perspective

Noise

At first, a loud or imposing noise can seem unbearable. After a while, we get used to it and it’s business as usual. That once irritating sound can become a seamless part of our background, and it’s not until we withdraw our attention, that we’re reminded of how intrusive it really is.

Noise in our environment comes in many forms. It can exist as an idea that has worn out its welcome or a broken system that remains in place. We must remove ourselves from the environment in order to hear the noise with a renewed sense of open-mindedness. When we do, we may decide that there is an opportunity to adjust the volume.

Brand Strategy Growth Perspective

What you do best

The other day I worked with a phenomenal writer who is aspiring to write and produce a screenplay or television series. While discussing potential next moves, this person was adamant about exploring an idea that was far removed from writing. Their thought process was that this idea appeared to be low hanging fruit, in an industry already saturated with subpar ideas. Maybe success here could help support their true passion of writing down the road?

As we redirected the brainstorming session back towards a focused direction around their writing skills, a few key questions revealed the idea that really wanted to live. We started to grab the relevant pieces from that idea that seemed far removed, and uncovered a direction for a fresh idea that has much promise.

Sometimes, we can experience burnout and fatigue from trying to reach our goals, and it is tempting to explore something that is completely removed – Maybe even good? But when that far removed idea visits us, we should consider the relevant pieces. Because maybe what we really need is an inspired thought that allows us to look at something from a different angle. In these scenarios, how do we widen the possibilities and still honor what we do best?

Brand Strategy Growth

More than talent

The first thing I do each morning is write for myself. No editing, expectations or excuses. Even while on vacation, during the holiday’s, and on the weekend. Its been nearly 3 years, and for about the first year, my writing was hardly legible. I don’t write for feedback, judgement or stories. And it’s rare that I ever go back to read what I’ve written.

The guidelines are simple:

1. Write every day.

2. Don’t think.

3. No expectations.

4. No judgements.

Before my commitment to this daily routine, I had several failed journaling attempts. My home carried the evidence of papers sporadically filled with random thoughts, occupying space among blank pages and hidden potential. And numerous blogs were created with good intentions and shared with nobody.

This daily routine has been my antidote to the many jump starts and creative efforts that could never flourish. Helping me realize that creativity requires more than talent. It’s about showing up every day and not over-thinking, while keeping expectations within reach and judgements to a minimum.

Growth Perspective

The hype

Hype is an interesting thing. It’s when popularity makes something more attractive than it really is. When an overblown reputation makes something more sought after than it probably should be.

For example, if a friend asks my opinion about a popular restaurant that was only subpar, I might tell them, “Don’t believe the hype.” Meaning, it’s not as good as people have made it out to be.

The alluring thing about hype is that it attracts people by the masses. The danger is that it can repel people twice as fast, because nobody can fill the gap of overblown expectations.

Make sure what you’re doing is worthy of the hype, but don’t fall for the trap of believing it.

Growth Perspective

Highlighter

How often do you return to the things you highlight? What is the reminder to go back and review that thought, information or material.

There are times when the best ideas exist only as a highlighter. As a thought scribbled in a journal, a fading sketch, or a folder labeled “Ideas.” In the moment, these highlighted thoughts inspired something within us and triggered an action that marked our intention of coming back.

If it’s been a while since you’ve returned to the things you’ve highlighted, here’s your reminder. It’s worth going back to the things we’ve highlighted.

Growth Perspective

The weekend

Can you imagine a time before the weekend? If you lived life in the U.S. prior to the 1940’s, you might. And while life without these coveted two days may seem impossible, the reality is it took a combination of events to secure its place in our lives.

Some of those events include…

Time: First introduced in 1908, it took over 30 years to implement the weekend, as we know it, nationwide.

Climate of change: To prevent layoffs during the Great Depression, policy makers reduced the hours worked – Serving as a partial remedy during drastic times.

But, what are the possible disadvantages of a valuable idea, like the weekend?…

Stuck in time: When something has appeared to work for a significant period of time, our thinking can become rigid, preventing us from seeing new possibilities.

Resistance to change: A good idea can become a stale idea if it does not evolve with its environment. For example, technology has increased efficiencies without a significant change in the workweek.

Good ideas have an enduring quality to them, and existence without them can seem incomplete. But all ideas, even the greatest ones, must evolve as we do.

Growth Perspective

Blank Canvas

What would you create if you were given a blank canvas for that strategy, project or idea? Where would you draw your inspiration from? What things would you need to let go of?

Many of us are working with canvas’ that have been overworked. Oftentimes, in our desire to paint a masterpiece, we try to add everything in fear of getting it wrong.

We have to be like artists when we create. Trusting that we will be inspired by the canvas as we begin to create our masterpiece. Focusing on the idea in front of us, knowing that a blank canvas offers us new possibilities.