I have always been serious about my dental hygiene. I mean, really serious. I’ve got the Sonicare, the Waterpik, and I’m a semi-aggressive flosser. If there were Olympic medals for plaque removal, I’d at least qualify for trials.
For years, I loved brushing my teeth. There was something satisfying about the routine—the crisp taste of mint, the fresh feeling afterward, the knowledge that I was doing something good for myself. But then, about two years ago, something changed.
One day, out of nowhere, I couldn’t stand mint toothpaste anymore. It made me gag. I powered through at first, convincing myself it was a phase. But every morning and night became an ordeal. Something that had once been effortless—something I actually enjoyed—had turned into a struggle. And the worst part? Nothing had changed except me.
Now, I wasn’t about to stop brushing my teeth (I have standards). But I also wasn’t willing to keep choking down a taste that made me miserable. So I started looking into alternatives, scanning ingredient lists and researching different flavors. That’s when I realized something wild: kids’ bubblegum toothpaste has the exact same active ingredients as the minty adult versions.
So I bought it. And let me tell you, brushing my teeth became fun again. The weird aversion to mint didn’t matter anymore—I found a solution that worked. And it was ridiculously simple.
When What Works… Stops Working
Here’s the thing: we all have our “mint toothpaste.” That thing we’ve always done, the system we’ve always used, the approach that’s worked for us for years. And because it works, we don’t question it. We assume it will always work.
But sometimes, for no clear reason, it just doesn’t anymore.
It happens in business all the time. A process that once ran smoothly starts feeling clunky. A software that used to save time suddenly creates bottlenecks. A strategy that once drove growth now falls flat. The instinct is to force it—to push through and make it work again. But often, that’s just a waste of time and energy.
Because here’s the truth: there’s always another way.
Adapt or Get Stuck
Technology is the best example of this. It evolves constantly, whether we like it or not. The accounting software that was cutting-edge five years ago might be obsolete today. The workflow that helped your team stay organized last year might be slowing them down now. The way you manage client communication might have been perfect… until it wasn’t.
But instead of adapting, people often dig in their heels. They tell themselves, This is how we’ve always done it. It worked before, so it should still work now. They resist change because change takes effort, and let’s be real—most people would rather just keep using their old system than rethink the whole thing.
The problem? Sticking with something just because it used to work is how you get left behind.
The Small Shifts That Make a Big Difference
The solution isn’t always a massive overhaul. Sometimes, it’s as simple as switching the toothpaste.
If your project management tool isn’t cutting it anymore, maybe you don’t need to rebuild your entire workflow—you just need a different software that fits where your business is now. If your team is struggling with communication, maybe you don’t need a total restructuring—you just need a Slack integration or a better process for check-ins.
And sometimes, the answer is right in front of you, but you’re overlooking it because it’s labeled as something else.
Like thinking bubblegum toothpaste is just for kids. Or assuming automation tools are only for big firms. Or believing outsourcing is only for companies with huge budgets.
We tend to put solutions in boxes. But the best fixes often come from stepping outside of them.
Staying Ahead of the Shift
If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that things will change. Your business will evolve. Your needs will shift. The tools and strategies that got you here won’t necessarily be the ones that get you to the next level.
So instead of fighting it, anticipate it. Get comfortable with reassessing what’s working (and what isn’t). Be willing to let go of systems that no longer serve you—even if they used to be your go-to.
Because refusing to change? That’s how you end up stuck. And in the business world, being stuck is the fastest way to fall behind.
So next time you find yourself forcing something that just isn’t working anymore, ask yourself: Am I clinging to mint toothpaste when bubblegum would do the trick?
Because sometimes, the answer is right there. You just have to be willing to grab a different tube.
