When in Doubt, Innovate!
What a penguin, a balloon, and a sea of sharks taught me about strategy, courage, and going solo.
I saw this image and thought — this is it. This explains exactly how solopreneurship feels. Well, more or less.
If you’ve ever been the first in your field to try something new, whether that’s exploring AI, creating your own digital product, or stepping away from the safety of tradition, this might look and feel familiar.
Most people keep walking the same path.
Some don’t even notice the sharks.
Others do, and then they freeze.
But just occasionally, someone reaches up, grabs the balloon, and floats above the contradictions.
And, that’s what innovation looks like. That’s what many of us are here to do.
Is innovation optional?
In education, therapy, healing work, we’re often expected to stick to the script. Use the standard tools. Avoid “getting too clever” with tech. Does it sound familiar?
But the world has changed.
Our clients have changed.
And the real risk now isn’t trying something new, it’s staying still.
Innovation doesn’t have to mean robots or algorithms. Often, it simply means noticing the metaphorical sharks… and choosing to make the move anyway.
That’s when the shift begins and the magic happens.
What’s your “balloon” right now?
Maybe it’s:
Writing your own thing instead of recycling the same old templates
Building a digital product, even if you’re still figuring out who it’s for
Using AI (yes, even ChatGPT) to support your creativity, not replace it
Reimagining your time, your practice, your focus
For me, it’s building solo AI tools that don’t follow the usual corporate mould.
It’s teaching people to prompt in ways that align with who they are as individuals, practitioners and creatives using empathy, not just instruction.
It’s hitting publish, even when the sharks of doubt, distraction, and perfectionism swirl just below the surface.
My final thought
You don’t have to wait until you’re fearless. You just have to hold your breath, reach up and grab that balloon.
Even if it looks absurd at first, or perhaps especially if it looks absurd - just do it.
Because sometimes, absurdity is the perfect strategy.