I have the opportunity right now to participate in a beta online coaching program by Whitney Johnson, Disruption Accelerators. It’s a privilege. I’m a huge fan of hers.
Whitney applies the concepts of disruptive innovation to individual growth, using a framework of 7 accelerators/guardrails that chart a path up an S-Curve of learning.
Take the right risks -> play to your distinctive strengths -> embrace constraints -> battle entitlement -> step back to grow -> give failure it’s due -> be discovery driven.
I believe we can be on multiple S-Curves at a time. An expert in some areas, crushing the sweet spot in others, and a complete beginner when we tackle new things. I’m using this opportunity to look more closely at the S-Curve I am on with respect to building out my online learning line of business. I’ in the early stages of this curve and realize I’m need to embrace constraints.
To move forward I have to impose some constraints on my business. I’m used to battling obstacles. But right now I have to make firm decisions. Use what I bump up against to gain traction. Say no to things. Pick my battles, walk away from others.
Which I find hilarious because I consider myself a strategy person. Strategy is my top Gallup Strengths Finder strength. And my mantra is See, Select, Strike.
But then… I’m also a believer that our greatest strength can be our greatest weaknesses.
Sometimes when disrupted, strategy people can get lost in the paradox of ideas, getting stuck in seeing more and more possibility, deferring selection.
I don’t know what it is. A bit of FOMO I guess. Fear that one of the zillion other ideas might be better than the one you are considering.
Embracing constraints, such as time, resources, and boundaries, as a guardrail can be useful. Making a shortlist first and then selecting from the shortlist. Or deliberately first deciding what we will say NO to.
Turning away from one segment to focus on a narrow audience. Letting go of one channel to put our limited budget into another. Carefully choosing touchpoints and not trying to do everything. Letting go our stranglehold on some of our goals, to put all our energy into another.
Sometimes considering what we aren’t going to do can be just the right constraint to make a selection that moves us forward.
When you consider strategic decisions, do you ask yourself:
>>> If I am saying YES to this, what must I say NO to first.
Hmmm. What do you think?
