29/05/2022
While we tiptoe into learning how to peacefully coexist with COVID-19 and the new protocols required, we mustn’t turn our backs on the critical lessons we learned over the past two years. Pivot was the buzzword during the initial months, and pivot we did. Jumping into online training with few resources, little know-how and a scrappy mentality to serve our clients the best we knew how was met with much appreciation. Fast forward a bit, and you can sense the “good enough” mentality is gone, and the health and exercise professionals who are thriving are the ones that did more than pivot—they innovated.
Innovation is not a new concept, but perhaps one you’ve not had to consider. Getting by with the status quo was simpler before the whole world was upended. And let’s face it, our industry wasn’t necessarily leaving us in the dust if we continued to package up and deliver our products and services in the same old way. We were like a comfortable pair of pants our clients were willing to keep slipping on because they fit, knew what to wear with them, and getting dressed via the path of least resistance was the most straightforward approach to getting the job done.
Today, however, our clients have lots of options. And while I have no doubt many of them will continue to be loyal to the tried-and-true relationships we’ve worked so hard to build and maintain, it is in our best interest to revisit what innovation is and why it’s necessary.
Consistent innovation is the secret to success. But if you’re like many people, you suffer from innovation intimidation. Many equate innovation to massive change, which sounds significant, scary and challenging as a solopreneur. While it’s true that innovation may lead to change, it’s better to lean into the natural changes that will (and should) occur and manage them proactively.
Innovation, by definition, is a new idea, method or device—it’s a novelty. But it is a misconception that coming up with this innovation requires genius, a long
