Don’t Burn Bridges, Just Close Doors

If you are a child of wise parent(s) I am sure you have heard at some point in your life the classic phrase "don't burn bridges." Often times when we hear this phrase it is followed with something clever and very true like "you never know who you will need," or "life has a funny way of humbling you."

I, like many of you, am a child of wise parents who told me not to burn bridges; however, I also probably like many of you was a "but why?" type of child (and adult). In examining the theory of not burning bridges more as an adult, and especially as a Brand Strategist, I have come to formulate a new concept of not burning bridges, but rather closing doors.

If you burn a bridge down, that leaves the mental image of never being able to cross over to the other side again. Now for all my very smart humans who will say, "but you can build a boat" etc. for the sake of this theory, we are going to pretend that isn't possible.

With the concept of closing a door; however, we have the mental image of the ability to re-open the door with the simple turn of a knob.

In branding, there will be times where we explore options in our businesses that just don't work. Any respectable entrepreneur can admit that, I know I can. Like that time I thought we needed merchandise. Why, Keshia, Why? I mean, some sold (shout out to the supporters) but I am STILL sitting on inventory TO THIS DAY! (If anyone needs tumblers or inspirational t-shirts, DM Me).

Immediately we want to do away with what didn't work and bring in something new. That is not a bad thing, it just may be done hastily at times. In those hasty moments we don't pause to see how what we did could have simply been tweaked and tried again so we "burn the bridge."

It's time to just close doors. Lets take that same merchandise I am sitting on...

Next month I am speaking at the This Is It Women's Conference in Atlantic City, NJ. I am going to have the opportunity to share a special gift with the attendees via the gift bags of the event so now is the time where we need merchandise (not back when I thought we did).

I am having a great time re-opening the merchandise door and discovering all of the cool things I can give to this group of amazing women. If I would have completely burned the merchandise bridge, instead of just closing the door, I would be in a complete panic right now! Instead, it's easy peasy and I am having FUN!

Think back over some decisions you have made for you business. Did you burn the bridge or did you actually just close the door?

Confession #19: This concept doesn't just work for you branding, it also works in every day life!