It’s so easy to get comfortable. To fall victim to routine. And if you’ve been at the same association for five years or more, that routine is doing everything in its power to keep you from innovating.

Member engagement. Financials. Marketing. Your annual event. They could all be going stale before your very eyes, but when you’re used to the routine, it’s easy to be blinded by what’s staring right in front of you.

One surefire way to break that trend? Try something new.

How? Why? What does that even mean?!

Don’t worry, we’ve got answers.

How to Think Differently by Trying Something New

The best ideas don’t come from the folks who do the same things day-in and day-out. We’re not saying that’s you, but everyone could stand to step outside of their comfort zone, right?

Why? By not trying new things, you’re absolutely, 100 percent, missing out on an innovative idea that’ll get member renewal rates to skyrocket. Or the solution to your annual event ROI woes. Or, your perfect association management software… one that actually does what your association wants it to do.

Our best advice: Stop what you’re doing and try something new.

That’s how this blog post was written — because the writer ran out of ideas while writing a different one! And it’s how plenty of people find their next great idea — by temporarily (or permanently) giving up on something that isn’t working.

The best ideas come when you shift focus and spontaneously tackle a new project.

Bill Gates, for example, suggests learning basic code to get your creatively juices flowing.

“Even if you don’t use it in your day-to-day life, computer science forces you to think abstractly and solve concrete problems.”

For association leaders, see if another department is stuck on an idea. Maybe you’re on the marketing and events team, but your membership colleagues are absolutely and utterly stumped on finding the next social media strategy. By shifting focus and considering something new, you’re much more likely to shake the cobwebs before you return to you previous task.

And who knows, maybe you’ll find a new talent along the way.

Final Thoughts on New Technology

Feel like trying something new might be the spark your association needs? Maybe some sort of new technology? How about a new association management system (AMS)?

Request a demo from the Protech team and find out how Alliance by Protech can be that new tool to help your association staff re-engage. Or, try learning something new by registering for one of our webinars or downloading a complimentary eBook today!