Perhaps it’s time to look at things anew.

This comes to mind, of course, because it’s the start of a new school in the US. But there are other reasons why it might be good to get rid of some of that old stuff which isn’t really serving you anymore.

Perhaps you have a change in leadership. Or have just completed a big project. Or your business cycle just got you past the busy phase.

We can recognize and celebrate what we’ve achieved in the past. But now it’s time to think about what’s going to serve us in the future. For the next year, the next decade, the next project. Whatever.

Here’s a great question to ask: If we were starting out again, given what we know and the resources we have at hand, how would we design things?

That doesn’t mean you’ll completely wipe the slate clean, as that might be too jarring. After all, we probably want to maintain whatever momentum we’ve built up. But it’s good to think about what we’d do differently if we had the choice.

One of the biggest challenges often has to do with employees’ strengths and comfort zones. You don’t want your folks to feel too uncomfortable, but you may also not just want to continue turning the crank the same way you’ve done it for ten years.

So: What would inspire people NOW?

What’s the next mountain we’d like to climb?

What would bring us to a better, more exciting place?

Then see how much of your vision for the future can incorporate those ideas.