It’s Not A Life Sentence
- June 2, 2013
- Posted by: Rochelle
- Category: Brand + Design, Marketing + Selling
I’m always amazed at some of the excuses we use for NOT making changes when, deep down, we know we need to.
“I will turn off my existing client base if I change up my message”, when you can’t get enough work to keep the lights on.
“I’m just too busy to think about that right now”, when you’re writing Facebook posts on your cat or cleaning out your sock drawer.
“I can’t afford to hire (fill in the blank) to do it for me, so I’ll do nothing until the money shows up”, when you are perfectly capable of experimenting on your own.
Do you obsess about taking risk? About changing how you appear to your world: your website, your marketing message, your photos? And so you do…nothing.
But guess what? It’s not a life sentence.
What happens if your big change falls flat? You zig. Or you zag. But you don’t stay the same.
It’s not a life sentence.
Your clients, your readers, your audience need to see you evolve. It’s what proves you can grow with them. Nothing you do will stay the same forever.
I’m not saying you always want to grab for the shiniest new bauble. Give it some careful (read: strategic) thought about your brand and your ideal audience.
But if it makes sense, do it.
It’s not a life sentence (unless you make it one).
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Michael: Don’t knock rationalization. Where would be be without it? I don’t know anyone who could get through the day without two or three juicy rationalizations. They’re more important than sex.
Sam: Ah, come on. Nothing’s more important than sex.
Michael: “Oh yeah? Ever gone a week without a rationalization?”
– The Big Chill.
LOVE it!
Once again Rochelle, you are right on target. Bang! Right between the eyes! I am the risk taker and am sitting in a boat in churning water because of one taken recently. But guess what, these waters are going to calm down to allow me to take another chance (risk) when the next opportunity presents itself. And another one will. I am not the man in the beer commercial who says “opportunity waits for him”. I grab the “ring” when it comes around. Too often it is not there after that.
Have a great week Rochelle. Meanwhile, I am going to get a towel to dry off from the water splashing on me.
Bet you’ve got a life jacket at the ready Ed 🙂
Gee, i don’t know if I do? maybe I better check. LOL. Yes, there is a back up. But only in case the boat takes on too much water.
I love that dialogue, and had the pleasure of seeing “The Big Chill” on a plane for the first te on several years last week. Thanks Rochelle, and Jeff. Good luck Ed.
Been there … [not] done that. Sadly.
Roger Gillott, Gillott Communications LLC
Right on — as usual.
Sometimes I use the metaphor of Jewish learning — that we study the same Torah passages every year and glean new things as a result; a lifetime of learning something new. Thus, I always argues folks can change, evolve, “mature”?
As much as like to give off a stable stature, that includes no requirement not to “prime and paint the walls”. We can re-make our wardrobes (yes, even the guys).
I have focused a bit on re-making my office, and I am not even sure when I will decide it is done but the clients like the new environment so I know something works there.
I actually enjoy tinkering with my message, especially at networking groups where most of the folks there know me and heard a past spiel; I want them to pay attention; no question exists that different messages work on different folks.