Constantly reinventing — adapting and evolving in work and life

When I give workshops and talks about personal branding, I often remind the audience that nothing is final here — we're constantly evolving as people (until you’re dead, of course).

We’re constantly evolving as individuals. Our interests shift, our priorities change, and as we gain experience, our paths take unexpected turns. Careers aren’t static either — they evolve with us. We might change industries, pivot from management to entrepreneurship, or double down on a new passion. The economy changes too, and we adapt accordingly.

You may change industries or disciplines, or go from management to self-employment.

This is a message I also share with my students. Many of them feel pressure to lock in their decisions — choosing a career path, finalizing their resume, or building a personal brand they think has to last forever. But the truth is, these are all just starting points. Instead, I encourage them to try, adapt, learn, pivot, gain experience, adjust, and grow.

Looking back personally, I’ve “reinvented” myself a few times already — from student activist to freelance designer to agency owner and now to a brand strategist, marketing advisor and educator (among other things of course). If you’re wondering how this all comes together, my personal branding is clarified a bit on my website here and in my LinkedIn bio.

Reinvention is not just for the young

This idea of reinvention applies at every stage of life.

Arlene Dickinson’s story is a perfect example. She shared this in her book Reinvention, which I read a few years ago.

At 57 years old, Arlene found herself at a crossroads. Her company was on the brink of disaster. Her confidence, once a defining part of her identity, was shaken. Overwhelmed by feelings of loss, fear, and shame, she could have easily given up.

Instead, she applied the same principles she used to transform struggling businesses to rebuild her own life.

She took a step back, assessed her strengths, and created a plan to move forward. She found clarity in following a process: identifying what mattered most, setting clear goals, and taking action, even when it felt uncomfortable.

Five years later, her business was thriving again, and she was raising millions of dollars to help other entrepreneurs. What had once seemed like the end of the road turned into an entirely new chapter of success and purpose.

Arlene’s story is a reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

I first heard Arlene’s story many years ago at a small event in Toronto, when I was a curious aspiring marketer. Last year, I got the chance to support during a podcast interview for a client at our studio, which you can watch the episode here.

This year I also got to watch her speak at Elevate — below is the full session on reinvention, turbulence, pushing through in hard times, and the fundraising landscape:

Adaptation is the new norm

Some of the most interesting, innovative people I know have had unconventional career paths. What they studied, the jobs they held, and the businesses they eventually started often look like a disconnected string of choices on paper.

Those twists and turns are what give them a unique perspective and an edge in their work.

LinkedIn data shows that Gen Z is now switching jobs at a rate 134% higher than in 2019. This pace of change can feel intimidating, but hopefully it reflects a growing willingness to explore new opportunities and learn from them.

It’s not only about switching roles. Reinvention can happen within a single career or even a single project. It’s about asking yourself:

What’s next?
What can I improve?
What’s worth pursuing?

Even for those who have gone through major reinvention, the winding path often makes sense only in hindsight. One of my favourite Steve Jobs quotes captures this perfectly:

Building a flexible personal brand

For those in the early stages of building a career or even if you’re further along, personal branding can feel like a daunting commitment. But just like your career, your brand evolves.

When I work with founders and leaders, I encourage them to think of their brand as a reflection of where they are right now with heavy hints at where they want to go. It’s not a fixed identity though, you’ll tweak it as you grow and as you evolve to reach your goals, or as your priorities shift over time.

When speaking to my college students in my careers class, I reassure them that what they commit to today with their resume, website and personal branding is not what they're stuck with for their career. I remind them too that some of the specific roles they're learning about or applying to may be phased out as the industry and technology evolve — or the roles they'll specialize in may not even exist yet.

What I’ve learned is that you have to stay curious and open. Experiment, pivot when needed, and don’t be afraid to let go of what no longer serves you.

This is not just about "jobs", it's also about what you focus on, how you present yourself, what other interests, businesses and projects you pursue, causes you support and more.

Reinvention as a lifelong process

Whether you’re a student just starting out, an entrepreneur or someone navigating a major career shift, the ability to adapt and reinvent is one of the most valuable skills you can have.

Arlene Dickinson’s journey shows that reinvention isn’t just about survival — it’s about finding new opportunities for growth, even in the face of setbacks.

So remember that you don’t have to have things perfectly defined at all times — it’s totally normal to be updating your messaging and positioning throughout your journey. Everything is an opportunity to learn, adapt, and build something new.

If you’re navigating change or reinvention right now, lean into it — you might be surprised where it takes you.

Have you gone through — or are you currently going through — a reinvention yourself? Let me know by replying, or share your thoughts on LinkedIn.