Reinvent Yourself to Find Success

At some point, we all feel like we could use a do-over. There may be others who tell you, “There’s no such thing as a ‘do-over’ in the business world.” I wholeheartedly disagree. There are many ways you can reinvent yourself or your organization to increase your chance of meeting or exceeding your goals.

When you need to reinvent yourself, consider these four action strategies:

1. Start by “Cleaning Up”

Is there a mess in your workplace that needs cleaning up? Maybe it’s an annoying or outdated policy that everyone hates or simply ignores. Maybe it’s baggage from poor employees or managers that’s weighing you down. Maybe it’s an actual physical mess. Whatever the case, it’s not too late to stop in your tracks and start a do-over. Modify or get rid of policies that hamstring your business. Counsel or replace employees that are preventing progress. Clean up the mess on your desk. Of course you have to want to change before change can actually happen. But intentions are not actions. As the Great Yoda of Star Wars said: “Do…or do not. There is no try.”

2. Revamp and Re-brand Your Marketing

Do you have a marketing strategy or campaign that has just never worked? Or maybe worked once upon a time but has long since stopped producing meaningful results? One lesson I learned my first year in business: measures matter. Take a few hours to objectively evaluate your own measures and metrics to determine if your marketing and branding campaigns are working. If they’re not, it’s time scrap, reinvent or revamp yesterday’s ideas that no longer work.

3. Individual Reinvention

Sometimes it’s not the organization that needs reinvention, but an individual – maybe even you! People often lose focus, find themselves drained of motivation, or simply get overwhelmed or tired. As leaders, our job is to lead – including pulling, pushing, cajoling, incenting or otherwise causing your people to bring their best every day. Start with your own partial or all-out reinvention; show others by your example just how important it is for them to remain on track and deliver every day. Work with (not against) them as they seek to ‘reinvent’ themselves as needed to fully meet expectations – both yours and their own.

4. Forgive a Grudge

Grudges in the business world come in all shapes and sizes. They could be grudges between individuals, between competing organizations, or even between you and your customers or partners. Grudges drain energy, sap attention and divert attention from what’s important. Often it’s best for business to let bygones by bygones and start fresh. Without these grudges in the way of your progress, it could feel like you’re working with a brand new company

What do you think? Do these action suggestions apply to you or your organization? Let me know.

John J. Hall, CPA

John J. Hall, CPA, is an author, speaker and results expert who presents around the world at conventions, corporate meetings and association events.

Throughout his 35-year career as a business consultant, corporate executive and professional speaker, John has helped organizations and individuals achieve measurable results. He inspires audience members in corporations, not-for-profit organizations and professional associations to step up, take action and “do what you can.”