Reinvention?
How often do you hear someone talk about “reinventing themselves”? That seems to be such a common phrase as to almost be considered cliché, but the fact is that in this fast-paced, constantly-shifting world we live in, where the internet and communications technology has sped things up to incredible levels, the need to constantly innovate and reinvent oneself has become one of the more valuable skills you can develop.
So, I thought I would share the pattern that I’ve seen among people who consistently and successfully reinvent themselves, their careers, and their companies. It seems that these shifts in direction seem to fall into one of four basic categories, which I have labeled: Complete Redesign, Lateral Reinvention, Vertical Ascension, and Experience Integration.
By understanding these patterns you should be able to better understand the process and exactly how you can use it to continually grow and improve your market position, no matter how big or small your current business model. At the end I’ll share with you how I’ve used these ideas to create http://therealtruthaboutspeaking.com and what it might mean for you if you choose to reinvent yourself as a high-paid speaker.
Complete Redesign is easily recognized in the recent college grad who is moving from student to either employee or entrepreneur. However others frequently find themselves in a position of complete redesign. The internet can quickly change entire industries. Travel agents used to exist in retail locations all over the place but their entire existence was redesigned for them when information became readily available to anyone with an internet connection.
As industries shift, as employees are laid off, as laws are enacted, many people find themselves in a position where they are forced to completely redesign who they are and what they contribute if they hope to stay competitive.
This is a tough position, but for many it can be very liberating to start with a completely blank canvas upon which to paint your vision of who you are and where you are going.
Lateral Reinvention is a more common method of reinvention that involves a shift from one aspect of what you currently do into an other, similar aspect of the same thing. When Mark Walberg went from rap singer “Marky Mark” into being a serious actor it might have seemed like a complete reinvention, but Walberg contends that entertainment is entertainment. Will Smith followed a similar path and seems to agree as do many of the stand up comedians who have successfully moved into acting.
Other examples of lateral reinvention include actors who become directors (Jodi Foster, Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, etc), magicians who become high paid professional speakers (Giovanni, Shep Hyken, etc), and employees who (usually after getting laid off) become high-paid consultants to the same companies that used to employ them.
Vertical Ascension is the most difficult to recognize, but the most widely celebrated. The reason it is difficult to recognize is because it is an upward climb within the same field and so there is always the skeptic who contends it is not reinvention at all.
Madonna has done a fabulous job of staying relevant over her 30+ year career by constantly reinventing who she is and what she does, but all within the framework of being an edgy vocalist. Similarly, Steven Jobs has been able to consistently push Apple as an innovator of technology though the technology is constantly shifting and expanding.
Experience Integration is simply blending two or more previous fields of experience into a new endeavor. For years I worked as a teacher and all my life I’ve been a magician so it seems obvious (in retrospect at least) that I would be successful creating entertaining school assembly programs. In fact, the company I created in 2002 offering educational assembly programs has been my most successful endeavor to date just by strategically melding these two fields of experience.
What method are you going to use to create a leap to the next level in your personal and professional development? If you aren’t yet sure, I suggest you consider joining us this August in Houston for a life-changing event.
Garrison Wynn, one of the country’s top speakers is holding a very limited, small-group event sharing the real truth about the speaking business and what it takes to make sure you are able to earn the high fees you are worth. Whether you’ve been speaking for years or aren’t yet sure what you will be speaking on, Garrison will help you pinpoint your unique skill and experiences and then show you exactly how to exploit them for maximum pay-off.
All the details can be found at:
www.TheRealTruthAboutSpeaking.com
This is an interesting concept and approach. As I read your categories for reinventing, I can see myself fitting into one or more of them.