The other day I took a look at one of these free local newspapers that comes once a week or so.
It seemed pretty thick and heavy, but when I tried to open it dozens of small brochures for local supermarkets and businesses fell out.
And all that was left of this thick and heavy newspaper were just a few thin pages.
As it turned out, all that the free newspaper really did was to be the cover for all those ads.
And inside the newspaper were maybe 5 or 6 different stories spread over the few pages that were left.
The rest of the pages were full with even more ads and classifieds.
We all know that traditional media is dying.
Just like many other traditional industries are.
Some faster.
Some slower.
And it's always about the same thing...
If you're under pressure you can decide to either level up or to level down.
The only problem is that leveling up requires a lot more time, work, energy, resources and creativity than leveling down does.
But if you're already under pressure it sometimes feels like it's impossible to put in even more time, work, energy, resources and creativity.
And it's a lot easier and a lot more tempting to just put in less.
That's why most people, businesses and organizations tend to level down under pressure instead of up.
The problem is that leveling down will always lead to your demise.
Sometimes sooner.
Sometimes later.
It's a race you can't win.
Leveling up under pressure on the other hand gives you a chance of survival.
Even a chance to thrive.
Maybe your only chance...