I suspect most people are in one of these two camps: those who do the maintenance and those who forge new paths, oftentimes blindly.
Those who do maintenance are those that follow strict routines, follow the existing path (even if they do it well), and execute on known concepts (even if they do it well). These are the people who seem to embrace the status quo, and the type who once they find something that works, they stick with it, probably longer than they should.
Those who forge new paths take risk, try NEW things, embrace fear, and are less worried about what others think. These are the people who do what others say can’t be done. And these folks keep tinkering…even with something that is working well.
So what are you? Are you one or the other? Or a blend of both? My guess is you are dominant towards one type, with occasional bouts of the other.
Long time readers of this blog will surely note that I feel an affinity with the forgers…although I want to become even more courageous and intrepid in my life. Once you stop pushing the envelope, the status quo wins.
If you want to forge new paths, here are a handful of ideas to think about that might help you along:
1. See what everyone else is doing, and go the opposite way.
2. Think about all the ideas you’ve had over the years, and identify one that really spooked you. Try it.
3. Have an opposite day. Pick a 24-hour window, and do the opposite of what you would normally do. See what happens. See what creative juices flow as a result.
4. Randomly pick an A-lister in your space. Offer to help them. See what happens.
5. Randomly pick an unknown in your space. Offer to help them. See what happens.
6. Tie your marketing efforts to some sort of charitable cause. Not only will you better the world, but I promise you will connect with new people that will help you forge new paths.
7. Host a podcast featuring people in your space. Spotlight them and make them look good. Enjoy what happens to your business.
8. Identify a prospect you think has ZERO interest in buying from you. Make a confident, service-oriented appeal to help them. You will either get a surprise new client…or learn some valuable lessons.
9. Find a new cluster of people you don’t know and have NEVER spent time with. Go spend time there. Connect. Serve.
10. Close your eyes, and randomly pick a name from your rolodex. Call them. Say you just wanted to say hello. Ask what they are up to. Ask to help. See what happens…
I promise to devote more energy to implementing these myself, and will report what happens. I hope you do the same. Let us know how it goes! And I hope you are able to begin forging new paths!
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