The Half-Life of Change

You’ve worked hard to make your brand a household name. Your brand is immediately recognizable. And now what? 

Recently I read a quote that resonated with me because it’s the difference between staying at the top of your game and sliding backward into oblivion. I wish I had noted the author’s name!  

“No matter how good you think you are, always be trying to get the job.”

Don’t be the slow elk.

Relaxing once you’ve hit it big is a mistake. It’s oh, so tempting, but you can’t just chill and expect your business to keep thriving. Not in today’s world. The world is changing at the speed of the Internet. Your customers’ needs and preferences are changing; technology makes things obsolete before we even get used to them; and your competition is changing its tactics.

Don’t be the slow elk. The wolves always hunt the slow elk.

People are fickle.

They’re always on to the next shiny thing.

Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that your tribe will forever stay loyal to you. People will not automatically remain loyal unless they’re lazy or — look, a squirrel! — unless you give them a good reason to.

Change happens really, really fast when you’re comfortable.

Change seems to hit hardest when you’re relaxed and satisfied with your accomplishments. That’s when worlds tend to collapse.

Yes, you’re an expert, but that doesn’t mean everything you know won’t be turned upside down, and soon. People are innovators. It’s what we do.

It’s what you did on the way to becoming a household name.

Ever notice that change has a half-life?

Change is happening exponentially faster every year. What works today will soon be outdone by new technology. Even if your products or services continue to set the gold standard, your marketing techniques could go the way of the door-to-door salesman. 

Keeping up with the change tornado isn’t an option anymore.

Trends may appear to be fleeting, but they always lead to change.

Little more than a century ago, people believed the automobile was a passing fancy. Henry Ford said, “Nope” (I paraphrase). Once an idea exists, it sparks other ideas and nothing can stop them. Keep learning. Keep sparking.

Adventure on!

Some of the most amazing things happen in times of discomfort, because only then, you’re fully engaged. That’s when you’re on an adventure.

Exceed your own expectations. Drag yourself out of your comfort zone just like you did in the beginning, when you started your business and everything was uncomfortable. Your growth mindset and your willingness to be uncomfortable will enable you to delight your customers and serve them even better than you do now. 

You’ve been uncomfortable before. You survived it. Actually, you thrived because of it.

Success is a fragile thing. “Always trying to get the job” is the only way to ensure that you maintain it.

Celebrate your success, but don’t stop there.

In the words of Apple visionary Steve Jobs, “Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”