“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.”
Steve Jobs
The definition of innovation is the practical implementation of ideas that result in the introduction of new goods or services or improvement in offering goods or services.
When you’re in business and things are going well and you’re keeping busy and making money, it’s easy to just keep working and focusing on what you have right in front of you. Things seem to be working well, money is coming in and there may not be any pressure to switch things up. But no matter how long we’re in business, there will be times when the unexpected happens, roadblocks pop up or suddenly your business gets quiet. There is no better example of shaking things up than when Covid 19 came into our lives and suddenly they were all upside down. Nothing looked the same, not our personal lives or our business lives.
Other examples of a changing of the tide in business could be that business just hits an unexpected (or expected) lull. Things can get quiet due to the economy, holidays, clients being away on vacation, tax time, etc.
Other factors could be that your projects wrapped up and it’s time to find new clients. Take a realtor as an example, when you’re done selling a house, you’re done selling a house and it’s time for new business. It could be that you’ve parted ways with a business partner or employee who was helping build your business. And very commonly, you were doing so well you stopped marketing and your pipeline went dry.
There’s a proverb that says, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going.” When we bump up against adversity, that can be a compelling reason to get creative, innovative and step outside the box in a hurry. And if we’re scared, that can really be a source of motivation if you’re worried you will not able to pay the bills or may need to give up your business and go work for someone else.
I believe some of our best ideas come out of being forced to be innovative out of pressure or stress. Again, look at what business owners came up with to continue to do business during Covid 19 restrictions. Restaurants created outdoor seating, more businesses allowed employees to work from home and we all got a quick lesson in technology to communicate and do business virtually through Zoom, FaceTime and Teams. Forced change and innovation can lead to some of our biggest growth and success. I know I’m reaching more clients from out of my area now because people are comfortable using video to work with me.
How can you be innovation under pressure and stress?
Get outside opinions from people whom you trust to help you look at your business, the issues you’re having and solutions. This could be anything from reaching out to members of a networking group, a trusted friend or by hiring a business coach. Sometimes just talking out loud will help you discover your own solutions. Bringing in someone else will give you perspectives you may not have considered on your own.
Do your best to relax. I know that’s easier said than done, but the more wound up we are, the harder it’s going to be for ideas to show up. Rick Hanson PhD, a California based neuropsychologist and author of, “Just One Thing: Developing a Buddha Brain One Simple Practice at a Time,” says:
“Chronic stress degrades a long list of capabilities with regard to creativity and innovation. It’s harder to think outside of the box, nimbleness and dexterity take a hit, and the response to sudden change is more difficult to manage.”
Another example of thinking under stress:
“Even a small amount of stress is noisy in the brain,” says leadership consultant, David Rock, the author of Your Brain at Work and the co-founder of the NeuroLeadership Institute. The organization partnered on a survey of 6000 workers and found that only ten percent of people do their best thinking at work.
With those statistics in mind, get away from your desk, get away from your phone, get away from your computer and destress. Take a walk, go for a run or a hike or take a nice bubble bath. Your brain will be working behind the scenes while you relax and solutions will start to appear.
“The hardest times often lead to the greatest moments of your life.”
Ziglar Vault
