What's holding you back from making progress?

Innovation isn't about having the next big idea. It's about being willing to make the next small change.

Is it just me, or does the word "innovation" conjure up images of technology (robots), data whizzing hither and thither, people making leather from mushrooms...? My innovation myth burst when I googled the meaning:

"Innovate: to introduce changes and new ideas in the way something is done or made"

Therefore: Innovation = progress.

The mushroom-leather, and robots and whizzing data are all outcomes of innovation. All of a sudden, innovation seems much more do-able.

Let's reframe

The world is changing anyway.

You're changing anyway.

So innovation isn't really about whether you change.

It's about whether you're consciously participating in your own growth.

That's the heart of it.

Consequences of not innovating

We're letting ourselves down when we don't innovate. We also let others down. Other people want you to THRIVE. When you're less accustomed to changing, change can feel harder. You also miss out on getting to know yourself on a deeper level when you're not facing the demands of innovation.

Why we resist it

We resist innovation because even small changes can make us uncomfortable. They introduce uncertainty, challenge what we've been doing, and occasionally force us to admit that something could be done better.

I was doing some professional development and received a clear signal from my teacher when I suggested a micro innovation to her, and she declined it. It was a new course, and what I pointed out was just an admin thing that had caused several people in the class to trip over. When she deflected my suggestion, I felt that she wasn't open or willing to make a micro-change of this nature, and I didn't suggest anything else again.

Innovation is not an ideas problem; it's a mindset problem.

When we aren't open to innovation, we tend to be more rigid, controlling, irritable, defensive, idiosyncratic, tense, fixated and aggressive. Sound like fun? I didn't think so...

Have you cut yourself off?

Just like my teacher, whose emphatic rejection of my idea sent a message to me that she wasn't open to feedback. Is it possible that you've accidentally cut yourself off from idea sources that were available before?

If you want others to contribute ideas, understand that making suggestions is an act of vulnerability and generosity. For some, they will feel like they're really going out on a limb to suggest ideas that might seem dumb or conflict with the status quo. Building trust in these relationships happens over time, and includes showing how you value and handle their small suggestions.

Think micro

Don't wait for the revolutionary idea. Micro changes are easy to brainstorm and often easiest to do.

Ask:

What's the smallest thing I could change?

It's been a while since I've trumpeted on about the power of the compound effect, so I'll remind you now - small changes are mighty and powerful.

How do you know when it's time to innovate?

• You have a nagging sense that you're falling behind, becoming irrelevant or missing something.

• You keep hitting the same roadblocks.

• You're not keeping up.

• You start getting more negative feedback or customer complaints than usual.

• You (or your team) are burnt out.

There is no final innovation to end all innovations. Consider yourself perpetually invited to the innovation party of a lifetime!

HERE’S THE SQUEEZE

Don't wait for certainty or the perfect solution. Make the next small change now. Often, if you’re over 51% certain about a decision, that’s enough to move forward.

If you feel stuck or like you're out of rhythm, here are some questions to ask yourself:

If I continue on this trajectory, what is the most likely outcome?

What am I resisting?

What am I afraid will happen if things change?

What is the cost of not growing?

What is the path of least resistance?

Is there another area of my life where I have been innovating, that I can draw from?

Do I need to summon more courage?

What is the first, next or easiest step forward?

If people will dislike either direction I go in, which direction would I still choose?

If you're not ready to innovate now, your levels of motivation and urgency will increase until you are ready.

To recap:

• Innovation is just a fancy word for growth and progress.

• Innovation is continuous.

• Innovation is a collection of tiny changes.

• Innovation is about mindset.

• Innovation includes failure and discomfort.

• Don’t wait for 100% certainty.

  
  

Innovation isn't about coming up with the next big thing; it's about being open enough to make the next small change.

Mauri ora / behold the sneeze of life!

Published by Naomi Kitchener 27 August 2026