The thinking trap that's killing your edupreneurship

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THIS WEEK’S LESSON

Why most Former Educator Founders are stuck thinking like teachers (and what to do about it)

Quick question: When was the last time you had a genuinely fresh idea about your business?

If you're like most Former Educator Founders, you might be falling into what management expert Roger Martin calls "reflexive thinking" — and it's killing your ability to innovate.

Here's the problem: After years in the classroom, we've become experts at applying past experiences to present situations. It's what made us great teachers. But in business? It's keeping us small.

The reflexive thinking trap looks like:

• Copying other edupreneurs' marketing strategies

• Creating the same type of content as everyone else

• Solving problems the way they've always been solved

• Staying in your comfort zone of "what worked in education"

The fix? Switch from reflexive to reflective thinking.

Reflective thinking means pausing before you react, questioning your assumptions, and considering new possibilities.

It's about asking "What could be true?" instead of "What has been true?"

Most Former Educator Founders see their email list growth slowing and think, "I need to create more content." That's reflexive thinking — applying an old solution to a new problem.

But what if instead of more content, the real opportunity is in designing memorable brand experiences? Or building systems that make audience growth automatic through word of mouth?

That's reflective thinking. And it's where category kings are born.

3 ways to break free from reflexive thinking:

1. Question your defaults. Before launching your next product or service, ask: "Am I solving this problem this way because it's best, or because it's familiar?"

2. Seek fresh perspectives. Find people outside education who've solved similar problems. A tech founder might see your SEL product in a completely different light.

3. Focus on tomorrow's problems. Instead of solving today's obvious challenges, think about what new problems your solutions might create. That's where the next big opportunity lives.

(Most people will glance over that third point, and it’s worth millions in revenue).

💰 Former Educator Founders who master reflective thinking tend to:

• Command higher prices (because they solve problems differently)

• Build more innovative products

• Create new categories instead of competing in crowded ones

• Scale beyond the "just another teacher selling worksheets" ceiling

Bottom line: Your teaching experience is valuable, but your thinking patterns might be holding you back. The key to breaking through isn't working harder — it's thinking differently.

Want to test your thinking? Write down your biggest business challenge.

Now ask yourself: "What would this look like if I'd never been a teacher?" The answers might surprise you.

The best Former Educator Founders don't just leave the classroom — they leave their old thinking patterns behind too.