As I work to build a new kind of business for myself, I have found a great deal of inspiration by studying how others have built their digital and content creation businesses. I’ve learned a lot of their strategies as well as the types of products they build. I borrowed those strategies and ideas for products.

I ran into a problem, however. Borrowing inspiration for product ideas, I started pursuing products (i.e. on-demand digital courses) that did not align with my core skills and strengths. It was exciting at first, however, I started struggling sooner than expected. Not because I could not figure it out, but because I realized I needed new skills and strengths in order to move forward.

Timely Advice from The Chief Reinvention Officer Handbook by Nadya Zhexembayeva.

“The secret of true sustainability is simple: take the essence of what you are and let go of everything else. The essential core is what you need to propel forward reinventing yourself vigorously over and over again…”

These couple of sentences helped me realize that leading this reinvention by focusing on products that are not aligned with my essential core is slowing down my progress. Instead, I need to pull back (easier said than done thanks to the sunk cost fallacy) and refocus on products and services that are most aligned with my essential core. For me, those are live events (i.e. live mastermind sessions, workshops, Q&As, coaching, etc.).

Am I Back at Square One?

No, I’m not. I learned something about myself and about strategies for the type of business I want to build. Along the way, the same people taught me other valuable skills and strategies that have propelled me forward. For instance, the same people that inspired me with their digital courses also inspired me to begin writing every day. To-date, I have published more articles in 2021 than I have since I started writing to my blog in 2013. I’m discovering and uncovering my written voice and learning to channel it through what Seth Godin calls, the practice.

What’s Next For Me?

I have faith in my daily practice and look forward to getting to 100 published articles. Grounded in this practice, I will pivot to creating additional value through products and services that align with my essential core.

Stay tuned for a new monthly Reinvention Mastermind I will launch later this summer. I am confident this will be one of the best ways I can help others to begin taking steps towards their own personal and professional reinventions.