Let go of the past:

Why adaptability is key to business growth

In business, one of the biggest risks isn’t failure — it’s holding onto the past while the world moves on without you.

Quick Story: Who Moved My Cheese?

In the well-known book Who Moved My Cheese?, two mice and two “little people” live in a maze, happily relying on a steady supply of cheese. But one day, the cheese is gone.

The mice adapt immediately. They head off into the maze to find new cheese. The little people? They panic. They complain. They wait and hope the old cheese will magically reappear.

Spoiler alert: It doesn’t.

The lesson is simple but powerful:

Change is inevitable. Resisting it doesn’t bring back the past — it only keeps you stuck.

In business, if you keep waiting for “things to go back to normal” or cling to outdated strategies, you risk becoming irrelevant while others evolve and grow.

Why Letting Go Matters in Business

The market moves fast
New platforms, shifting consumer behaviour, and rising competition mean what worked six months ago might not work today.
Old success can lead to complacency
Sometimes, previous wins create blind spots. Familiar systems can make us reluctant to try something new.
Customers trust businesses that evolve
Adaptability shows you’re listening, learning, and leading — not stuck in yesterday’s thinking.

The Cost of Staying Comfortable:
A Real Example

In the early 2000s, Blockbuster was the king of home entertainment — 9,000+ stores, billions in revenue, and a business model that felt unshakeable.

Then came Netflix. A tiny DVD-by-mail service with no stores, just a different way of thinking.
Netflix offered to sell to Blockbuster for $50 million. Blockbuster laughed. Literally.

While Blockbuster waited for the old model to return, Netflix kept moving:

They introduced subscriptions
Then shifted to streaming
Then created their own content

By the time Blockbuster tried to pivot, it was too late.
Netflix is now worth over $200 billion. Blockbuster is a case study in missed opportunity.

Bonus tip: Want deeper insight? Listen to co-founder Marc Randolph's podcast here

Practical Ways to Adapt Faster in Your Business

Update your messaging
Speak to today’s customer. Revisit your website, branding, and positioning — make sure it reflects current problems and desires. Not sure where to start? Talk to a brand agency in Sydney that knows how to modernise your message.
Embrace new tools
Whether it's ChatGPT, Canva, or video marketing — technology is here to help you do more, not make things harder.
Stay curious, not defensive

When you see a shift coming, ask:

"How can this work for me?" instead of "Why should I change?"

Final Thought

The market is moving. Your customers are evolving. Your business should, too.
You don’t need to burn everything down — just be willing to shift, adapt, and learn. Want a smart way to keep evolving? Read this article on brand strategy agency Sydney insights that can help you stay ahead.

Call to Action

This week, take a moment to reflect:

What’s one outdated habit, strategy, or mindset I need to let go of — to move forward faster?
The future belongs to the flexible. Let’s keep moving.