“Reinvention” by Arlene Dickinson
Taking the big step.
Change. There are many different attitudes towards it. To some people, change is inevitable and they adapt to it as much as they can, as soon as possible. To others, change is very hard to face and they avoid it at all costs. Except… at times, change is unavoidable. And what better example of this than the COVID-19 pandemic.
Due to the pandemic we’ve all had to make changes — some more than others, but it’s for certain that everyone has been impacted by it in some way.
Reinvention is not a book about the pandemic but I found it very relevant for these times. It’s about reinventing ourselves after something happens beyond our control, or when we personally want to make a significant change in our lives.
Where did Reinvention come from?
Arlene Dickinson is well-known as a successful and confident businesswoman, who has also been an enterprising venture investor on the TV show Dragon’s Den for many years. After heavy rain flooded her hometown in Calgary in 2013, she woke up the next day to find her marketing agency offices completely under water. Dickinson found herself very close to losing her company and with it, the self-confidence and drive that have distinguished her for years.
Plan for it
With a very conversational tone, Dickinson walks us through the process she went through to get her life and her business back together. She followed the steps that for many years her company Venture had used to help brands reinvent themselves. This plan is applicable to both personal and business or brand reinventions. It goes through four principles in which you acknowledge where you’ve been, define your purpose, do a reality check of your situation and use your self-awareness to determine your strengths, talents and skills. Yes, change can be intimidating and overwhelming, but with a thought-out plan like the one described in this book it can be less daunting.
Whether you’re looking to reinvent your business, your career or your personal life, this is a helpful and inspiring book. The authenticity and honesty with which it’s written leaves you with the feeling that reinvention is possible at any age if you’re really up to it, and that in many cases it’s you who’s holding yourself back in some way.
I personally think you don’t need to wait for something unexpected to happen to reinvent yourself. If 2020 showed us anything, it’s that we need to be ready for change. If you have a dream, if you’re looking to do something different, or if you are in fact going through an unforeseen situation, this is an excellent read for you.
SELF-HELP - BUSINESS - REINVENTION - ARLENE DICKINSON - CHANGE - DRAGON’S DEN - CANADIAN AUTHORS