Partner Article

Breaking comfort zones in business

We go in to business because we enjoy doing what we do and if we’re good at it we become successful. As the years go by we keep on doing what we’re good at because a) we are known for doing that and b) we keep getting financially rewarded for doing it.

As our business grows we look for ways to reinforce the success of our business and sometimes this means we play safe; keeping to what we know and what we’re known for. But those who take risks are the ones who innovate, the ones who move into new markets, the ones who lead the way and set trends.

The world has become a fast moving global market place where new ground is constantly being broken. Take a look at the technology and mobile phone sector, it’s constantly inventing and re-inventing new ways to look at the same idea. Fifteen years ago the Palm Pilot was the piece of kit people in business wanted; but Psion didn’t keep up with trends and look for new ways to move forward. They succumbed to mobile technology. Who’d have thought that Nokia would sell up to Microsoft? Who’d have thought the business users preferred mobile communication handset, Blackberry, would be in trouble. Why? Because new technology becomes the preferred option for consumers.

If we’re to keep ahead in the market place we have to keep coming up with new ways to do our business. The business still stays the same, but how we do it changes. Look at Mercedes cars: for decades they have remained at the top of the luxury car market, not just because they make good cars with quality finish, but because they keep thinking of new ways to re-invent that which they are good at.

If we sit safely behind the success of our business and keep rolling out the same as we’ve done for years before, we leave ourselves open for new, fresh ideas and people to come in and take over.

This isn’t to say that we should stop doing what we’re good at, but that we should be willing to look for ways to make our offer better; to keep ahead of the competition and market place.

Staying within the realms of what we know and are good at is comfortable for many of us, but it won’t take us to new heights. If we are to stay ahead of the market and grow we must be willing to step beyond our limiting beliefs and discover new possibilities. Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water, but look for new ways to stimulate the market and ourselves.

Some are good at repeating the same behaviours again and again, year in year out; but, truth is, doing the same thing again and again will only serve to give more of what we already get. If you’re looking for new rewards, new returns, new passion, you must be willing to do things differently. Einstein is reputed to have said that we are insane if we keep doing the same things again and again while expecting different results. So, is 2014 the time to change how you do things?

Three years ago, after ten years doing the same thing in my business I had become bored of what I was doing and it was starting to show in how I worked. I had choices: carry on and get over my boredom; sell the business and look for something different; or find ways to make the business stimulate me again. I looked at all options and in the end, remembering that I set up in business because I enjoyed doing what the business is, I looked for new ways to reinvigorate. Keeping on and hoping I’d find stimulation wasn’t an option.

Selling wasn’t for me; my business is my baby and I wanted to keep it. Believe me, it was an uncomfortable stage for me and my business, but through it I found new light and new commitment. Now I have new ideas to offer my customers, which also inspire me and have invigorated how I interact with people. I’ve diversified, having written a book and am keen to take the next step; literally to go to the next stage – to be a speaker on stage. Scary, but it’s new, is invigorating and keeps me moving forward.

Make 2014 the year you choose to reinvigorate your business, to reinvigorate yourself and reinvigorate your customers. Keep ahead of the market, be willing to take a risk, step outside of your comfort zone and discover new possibilities, not just for your business but for you yourself.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Adrian Kirk .