You probably know this is what success really looks like (even though we tend to think it is a straight line…) You never know what the way towards your next big thing will look like. But one thing is for sure – nothing will happen unless you start. You might not be ”ready”. Guess what, you’ll never be – so start anyway. Adopt the mindset of beta and make progress as you go. That’s being in startup mode.
Ready, set…go.
Found this in my feed the other day:
“Opportunity is nowhere” can be reframed as “Opportunity is now here”.
What a difference a blank space make! Think about it, how often do we get stuck just because we cant find that space?
I have kept this “space” in mind for the last couple of days and it has helped me rewire my mindset from impossible to possible. If one single tap on the space bar can change the whole meaning of a sentence, what can our highly advanced brains do? Exactly – anything!
Let’s make an impact and change the world!
Do you see opportunities nowhere or as now here? What can you do to change your perspective?
No more time for linear innovation – now it needs to be exponential. To keep up we need to take small steps often, instead of big steps now and then.
Think: beta version, beta version, beta version. Think: reinvent, reinvent, reinvent. Your business. Your career. Your offer. Yourself. On a daily basis. Think: progress not perfection.
My firm belief is that people and companies that manage to stay in startup mode are the ones who will succeed, make an impact and change the world.
Simon Sinek found out that really successful leaders and companies are the one that starts with why. They answer the question WHY they’re doing what they’re doing before describing HOW and WHAT they’re doing. Although, most companies still just tell us the what. And the same is true when we make our business plans. We answer what we deliver and we answer how our business models look. But do we consider why we’re in business? In my experience the answer is unfortunately most often ”no”.
Today it’s even more crucial to start with why, as markets and prerequisites are changing faster than ever. Let me explain:
We use Apple as an example as it’s familiar to most of us and also very easy to follow. If Apple had started with telling us what they do the answer would have been ”computers”. Adding the how ”user friendly and with stunning design”. In this case we wouldn’t have had the iPhone, Apple TV, Apple Watch and so on.
Fortunately Apple did start with why – ”we challenge status quo”. Following up with the how ”we make really user friendly and good looking products” and as a result the what can be everything from computers to smartphones to watches to who knows what comes next. Knowing their why means Apple can constantly develop and catch up with the market – even quite often disrupt the market…
Starting with why means freedom to explore, it means you can become the change maker you’d like to be. So before making that business plan, explore your WHY, find out what you’d like to take a stand for, what movement you’d like to start. Then go tell the world.
Knowing WHY is one of the essential ingredients to keep a constant startup mode and make a bigger impact in the world. And of course it’s a part of my Your Next Big Thing SystemTM. Learn more.
So, what are you waiting for? I say welcome to Your Next Big Thing. Ready…set…GO!
The digital development has changed a lot, not to say everything. For example, it has changed our acceptance for constant progress. Take a look at yourself – does it bother you that you need to update your apps once in a while? Or does it even make you happy? Someone has been working on making that app even better and easier to use. Maybe based on your feedback!
In today’s expectations economy, where what’s next is what counts, we need to constantly reinvent ourselves and our businesses. And things change so fast that we need to launch even if we think we aren’t ready. We need to take that first tiny step although we don’t know exactly where we’re heading. And when we’ve taken that first step we need to take another one, because stagnation is today’s biggest danger.
This is where we can learn from app development! We need to constantly release Beta versions of ourselves. Don’t panic! You don’t need to become a robot or know any code 😉 In fact you’ve probably already started. Releasing Beta versions is about making small adjustments as we grow and develop, its about constantly improving based on our new learnings and insights.
All you need to do is to shift your mindset and have the guts to start even though you think you aren’t ready. And you know what – it much more fun to hang out with someone making progress than someone being perfect. At least in my opinion 🙂
Big up to Per Frykman who came up with the brilliant concept of the Beta version of you.
My take on how to future proof your business or work life:
“Yes, of course. Stupid statement”, you might think. I ask you to think again. When applying for a new job, what do we focus on? Our past experience. When marketing our services, what do we talk about? Our past projects. What if I say it’s potential, not experience that decides whom will get hired, or chosen for the project? Research shows that’s the truth. It’s time you start lead with Your Next Big Thing. Because in the future, it is the future that counts. Not the past.
Work is hard. Work is serious. Work is definitely not play. Or is it..? In today’s expectations economy where we constantly need to reinvent ourselves and our businesses, play might be the crucial factor we need. Play means creativity, imagination and new perspectives. Play means “try – see what works – try again”. Play means developing as we go. Play is an essential part to spark your entrepreneurial mind and unleash Your Next Big Thing. Don’t take work too serious – play more 🙂