Do you see trends as an indulgence, or do you view them as opportunities? And how do you evaluate which ones are important to your career or business?

It’s the million-dollar question.

Over the course of my career, I’ve found that there are four things that help you navigate trends more confidently.

* Know your strengths. What do you excel at? What’s your superpower?

* Have an ambition. What is your goal? Where are you headed?

* Look at the context. Where is the trend taking place? What is its wider impact?

* Experiment. What can you start today to begin playing with ideas? What are others doing and how do you make your mark?

Ask yourself: Are you pursuing a trend as a way to keep up with others, or to stand out from the crowd?

Do you want to stay part of the conversation? Or do you want to lead the conversation, and turn the trend into an opportunity for growth? (Spoiler: Answering the second question yields the most innovative results.)

Both are valid, just be clear about your objective.

How does this trend fit into your career or business strategy?

Learn from others and develop a point of view that is your own. But to stand out, you need to plant your flag.

Tune into the full episode for much more tips and tricks—and a little secret that helps you approach trends like a strategist.

Or read the transcript via the header link, Open in app/browser.

Enjoy!

PICK MY BRAIN

Did the podcast spark fresh ideas, yet you're unsure how to proceed? Or are you stuck in a rut and need a nudge in the right direction?

For those moments when you wish you could tap into a strategist's expertise, this is for you: I’m now offering one-on-one strategy consulting sessions, every Friday until Christmas.

This one-hour investment comes with no hidden hooks or after-sales pitches (yes, really!).

It's straightforward: Book. Strategise. Get moving. Simple as that.

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