How do you stay inspired by emerging trends and technologies?

Emerging technologies can play a bigger role in or value system that you already hold. As technology is accelerating, it’s enabling or efficiently helping you do something that you already may be doing. If the technology applies to your world or if it seems interesting enough to dig into, then go nerd out and learn about it. If it’s something that doesn’t apply or interest you, skip over it with confidence and peace of mind. I also apply this when meeting new people personally and professionally. It’s about learning and growing our network and knowledge in a productive and lower-stress manner. Good luck out there!

I think that whenever something new shows up on scene it is critical to see if chasing it down will advance or hinder your progress towards achieving your goals. Far too often, people jump on the next trend and then after a few weeks whatever they've bought a license for ends up on the pile of tools, systems, or project management software that wasn't the right fit. Be curious, but make sure to take action with intention.

Be open to experimentation! Don't be afraid to test new ideas and technologies in your business. Adopting a "fail fast, learn faster" mentality can lead to valuable insights and breakthroughs.

Be open-minded. Keeping an open mind will allow inspiration and curiosity to flow that will make you appreciative of emerging technologies. We must be always mindful that not all emerging technologies cause a bang or a big splash, some starts with a ripple; so being open minded lets us see these things.

Never hesitate to ask questions, the only wrong question is one that is never asked. Be bold and ask the tough questions an challenge the answers. Growth comes from not just hearing, but understanding. During your networking you will invariably meet individuals with more experience and/or knowledge about a given topic. Don't be afraid to ask them for a better understanding and don't assume they have all the answers. Ask for clarification, then challenge the response, respectfully, by asking for examples or source material to further learning.

You need to always be connecting. Connect with industry experts, attend conferences, and join online communities to engage in discussions and share knowledge about emerging trends and technologies.

Potentially, one of the best aspects of the emerging trends in technology, especially AI, is many of the platforms offer free trials. I learned four different platforms to at least an intermediate level through free trial versions, alone. This not only helped me gain a new, valuable skillset, but it also helped me evaluate and discern which platforms were most suitable for my vision in starting my own AI company. Take advantage of the incentives and opportunities to learn new skills and make better decisions through a risk-free trial version of the platform.

Flexibility and adaptability are key in entrepreneurship. It's vital to validate market or internal needs first and then employ tech rather than vice versa. Recognize that users resist change because it needs energy, time, and a journey of failures that nobody wants. Empathize and introduce alterations incrementally. Find and focus on a problem that will ensure user satisfaction outweighs the change's costs. Stay versatile and bold in embracing change for genuine innovation.

Embracing flexibility and adaptability is an integral part of entrepreneurial success. One particularly memorable instance was when my first online course launch didn't meet expected sales targets. Instead of being disheartened, I used this as an opportunity to reassess my niche and pivot. I solicited customer feedback, learned from my mistakes, and adjusted my approach. The result was a more successful relaunch. In a constantly evolving business world, our ability to adapt and remain flexible was key to turning a setback into a success.

One thing that helps enhance this is being involved in various relevant expos, conferences and gatherings. They can combine fun activities with productive learning, thereby motivating employees by associating their work & industry with something they enjoy.

Entrepreneurship is indeed a journey. While it's crucial to remain focused on our goals, we mustn't lose sight of our passions that drove us to this path. I've discovered that aligning my work with my passion, like creating and sharing video content, brings me immense joy. Despite videos sometimes having less reach on platforms like LinkedIn, the pleasure I get from the creative process surpasses these concerns. Also, adopting hobbies or participating in events that complement our work, like hackathons for those in tech, can add a fun and rewarding dimension to our journey. So, it's important to remember, while striving for our destination, to enjoy the journey!

While staying informed is important, focus on implementing actionable insights that align with your business goals rather than passively consuming information.

I’ve found it helpful be intentional and purposeful in doing anything and that applies to this. Be focused on your goals (personal and business) and what you need to achieve them. That helps you to filter what emerging trends or tech to focus on only what is relevant to you that you can invest your time and energy to discover and understand. It will stop you from getting overwhelmed and ultimately exhausted from trying to keep up. The more relevant the trend is to you, you can only be inspired by the opportunities that may be available.