Change Directions

A handful of years ago, I worked for a magazine that had great content but not-so-great sales. It was a general crafting magazine, and at the time, the market was demanding more niche publications than general ones. So, even though readers had loved that magazine for more than 25 years, it was time to change directions and refocus it.

A lot of people were sad. Some people were indignant, and others were outright angry. Change can be difficult, and not everyone welcomes it, let alone embraces it.

But a lot of people did welcome the change and embraced the new magazine that was born from that change in direction (Paper Crafts magazine) with open arms. It sold well from the start and continues to thrive. So that change in direction was not only necessary at the time, it turned out to benefit a lot of people and be profitable.

In business and in life, sometimes it’s necessary to change direction. While it’s not always easy or fun—in fact, it can be down-right painful and even heart-breaking at times—it’s still necessary. Don’t be afraid to change directions. Acknowledge which way you need to go, plot a course, and go towards it full steam ahead. Doing so doesn’t mean you failed, nor does it negate or take away from the importance of the original direction. You can honor it while you embrace the change. You never know where that new direction could take you—to new lessons, new customers, new friends, new (or even more) profits, or any combination thereof.