How reinvention works

To me, reinvention is a drastic transformation in the way we live our lives. With little room for incremental change, it’s like making a 180 degree turn in relation to the things we’ve always done. It may involve burning some bridges and doing things that may shock or dramatically surprise those who know us. In many instances, reinvention is generally the byproduct of a reaction to situations or individuals at a certain point in time; rarely will it be a cold, premeditated move. At any rate, it requires a lot of courage.

Catalysts for reinvention can be found in a life-long, unfulfilled obsession, a powerful dream, an intense passion, a craving for that adrenaline rush or some kind of activity and location of choice (i.e. becoming a gaucho in Argentina). There can be negative catalysts too, like running out of options, not “taking it” any longer or despair, pure and simple.

Reinvention can be viewed as an essential tool that we use if we feel stuck in our life or in our career; if we’re bored, if we hate what we do, if our creative “juice” is no longer flowing, out of control, unhappy or just seek a better life. Reinvention may be in order whenever the little voice inside us tells us so.

When successful, reinvention brings rewards. It is a positive form of control that we have upon our lives. It allows us to “dial” our own deal, to tap directly into our true potential, our true self. Doing deliberately something we love opens up the flow of passion, the ultimate fuel for energy and happiness. Often, reinvention carries the seeds for innovation as it can’t happen in a stagnating environment; it also open new doors and keeps on surprising us a we go along…

The risks inherent with reinvention are that, if unsuccessful, a new move may bring us down both physically and psychologically. Things are easier when no dependants or close partners are involved or when there are enough resources to soften a potential blow.

Reinvention is not for everyone; it may not be needed it if we love our current stage in life, or if we are already enjoying a smooth, satisfactory and comfortable existence. We always hear about success stories; seldom about failures. Let’s remember however that winning a war is often a blend of victories and defeats; the more we’ll play the “reinvention” card, the more likely we’ll accumulate the successes and failures that will, over time, bring us to the top. It may simply be that successful reinvention requires good practice!