I have only known the product as a protective wrap for packaging. Interestingly enough, packaging was not its originally intended application. The inventors first thought that it could be used as a wall covering.

When the wall covering idea didn’t pan out, they shifted gears and founded the company that made Bubble Wrap famous – Sealed Air Corporation.

From wall covering to packaging product and eventually to a nearly $5 billion dollar/year business. That’s quite a reinvention.

I think we can all learn a thing or two from this story. Here’s one idea that immediately struck me today when I heard it:

Reinvent Yourself For Greater Success

The idea of reinventing yourself may not apply to everyone, but it does apply to many of us. Maybe you have lost a job you have had for a long time. Maybe your business crashed in 2009. Maybe you’re just tired of doing what you’ve been doing for the last 10, 20, or 30 years. I don’t know your specific situation. I do know that you can reinvent yourself. And, like Bubble Wrap, you just might achieve greater success.

Reinvention is part of my story. Here’s the short version.

• Nearly 20 year’s in technical training and/or roles:
  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering officer in the US Submarine fleet
  • Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering
  • Process/product development and Technical service roles in the Chemical industry
• Communication skills, conflict resolution, team building, and leadership development trainer, coach, and consultant.

Did you catch the reinvention part of the story?

You see, I’m a lot like Bubble Wrap. For part of my career, I diligently pursued technical roles. They fit my personality, and the technical work was comfortable. I just didn’t enjoy parts of the environment I worked in when I did the technical work. So, I made a change.

The change has not always been easy. In fact, it hasn’t always been profitable. I have enjoyed what I’ve learned. I’ve enjoyed the flexibility to take my daughter’s to school pretty much whenever I want. I’ve enjoyed the freedom to generally work the hours that I want to work. Funny thing is: I work longer hours now than I ever did when I worked for other people (except for the time I was in the Navy).

I’m  not suggesting that reinvention is for everyone. Nor am I suggesting that the path to success after reinvention is free of obstacles. I am suggesting that reinvention is possible.

So, as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bubble Wrap, let’s learn from it’s early history. When your initial idea doesn’t work out as planned, look for new ways to apply what you have learned.