There's no need to re invent the wheel - or anything else for that matter...

 

 

Sometimes it’s down to the Little Monster in our Heads convincing us that only we have THE idea, magic solution or best way to do whatever it is. Other times it’s down to our natural enthusiasm taking over, with research and planning going straight out of the window as our need for action takes over. Or, perhaps, it never occurs to us that someone else may already have done whatever it is and we just dive straight in. And, these are just some of the ideas that have come to mind while writing this post. We’re sure you can come up with many other reasons / scenarios of your own, so, please, feel free to add yours to the list! 

 

Whatever the reason may be, it’s always easier – and quicker – to follow in someone else’s steps. Using it as our inspiration. A springboard to make something different and unique – whether a little or a lot – reflecting our own particular personality, skills and experience. After all, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. 

 

So, rather than trying to recreate the wheel, why not focus on how you can add your own particular twist to whatever it is? 

 

Perhaps, magpie like, taking the best bits from here and there, then forging them into something shiny and new. Reflecting ourselves AND those we would like to benefit from it. It’s easy to forget that we’re all unique and have our own unique take on things. What works for us rarely works in exactly the same way for someone else but, with only a “tweak” or two, works perfectly and, often, even better than we could have anticipated. 

 

If you think you couldn’t possibly do this, then the answer is you already do. Every day, as you’re learning new or improved ways of doing all those things that make life flow more smoothly. 

 

It’s simply a case of scale, nothing more. Just look at how you do all these day to day things and the ways they’ve changed over time – whether subtly or dramatically – as you’ve found new or improved ways of doing them. 

 

And, if you want a little hint on how to speed this process along, here’s one. Be open to where the ideas for “tweaks” and improvements may come from. Often, it’s in the most unexpected ways and from the most unlikely sources. Perhaps from something completely unrelated or in a totally unexpected way. 

 

If you’re wondering what we’re talking about, here’s one little story involving the idea of having some personalised business biros made. These could then be given to new Clients to fill in their details and kept by them. After all, who doesn’t like a free biro?!? And where did this idea come from? A visit to a new Dentist to have a tooth out. Not an experience you’d have expected to provide a good idea, but a perfect example of how can come anytime and from anywhere… 

 

There really is no need to struggle single handed through the jungle of ideas, machete in hand, forging your own path. It’s much simpler to follow someone else’s path making your own little improvements along the way. 

 

As always, the choice is yours.