On the other side of the Coronavirus storm many of us will either want to, or be forced to, reinvent ourselves. Spending extended time with our loved ones, including parents, kids, partners, and pets may lead us to question the quality of the lives that we lived pre-pandemic and the priorities we once held.
The loss of life close to home and worldwide may lead people to engage in deep thinking about how we want to spend our remaining time on earth. We are realizing that life is incredibly fragile and short. There is also a strong possibility, depending on what type of work we did before the maelstrom hit, that our jobs may not exist or that they are radically changed.
So many current uncertainties and a time of flux has created the perfect time to learn from Arlene Dickinson’s latest book, Reinvention: Changing Your Life, Your Career, Your Future.
Most people know Ms. Dickinson from her years on CBC TV’s Dragons’ Den. She started with the show in 2007 as the first female Dragon, staying on the show for eight seasons. And now, after a break, Ms. Dickinson has returned to Dragons’ Den and also stars on another show, Under New Management.
Both the personal and business reinventions that she has gone through have provided Ms. Dickinson with the expertise to share concrete advice with others who are seeking to reinvent their lives.
Like many changes in life the reinvention of her marketing business, Venture Communications, came about due to circumstances beyond her control. A flood in the summer of 2013 devastated her hometown of Calgary, Alberta and destroyed Venture’s physical premises. The fallout from the flood was disastrous as clients were lost and staff was laid off. After much soul searching Ms. Dickinson decided to reinvent the company to align more with what she had always really cared about – aiding Canadian entrepreneurs.
Along the way, Ms. Dickenson reinvented herself as an entrepreneur with the mandate of helping young companies to launch. To this end she raised millions of dollars in venture capital to start District Ventures. The business accelerator is the only one in Canada that specializes in food and health products. Currently the fund stands at $70 million, and is growing.
Her succinct advice to others: Don’t wait for a flood to come along before you use her method to reach your goals and a new life!
Ms. Dickenson’s method for personal reinvention is the same formula that she has used for 30 years with the companies that have sought her guidance in transforming their brands.
Follow the formula!
- Figure out your brand identity, including where you have been and what you stand for.
- Do a self-audit and assess your current situation. How have you been spending your time?
- Create a strategy to reach your goal.
- Share your goal with others.
Ms. Dickenson’s no nonsense guidance cuts to the heart of the matter as she clarifies that you may not get another opportunity to reinvent yourself. And we know this now more than ever – that nothing is promised in life and we must make our own destinies in the world.
As she expresses, “Aim high, higher than where you are today, knowing that capping your own dreams is a form of self-betrayal. Don’t deny the world the contribution that only you can make.”
If you know that you want to make a personal change regarding a relationship, your career, and what you want for the future you owe it to yourself to read Reinvention and to learn from the Queen of Reinvention herself, Arlene Dickinson.
Published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd., 2019
$29.99