Innovation Happens Now

We often think of innovation as an elusive, foreign concept. Something that must be diligently pursued which comes about from much preparatory work. We dig into old ideas and current answers in the hopes that it will stimulate an innovative solution in our mind. Is it logical to assume that studying old methods of thinking will suddenly give birth to a completely new and radical idea?

True innovation is not based on the past at all. In order to create an entirely new solution it is crucial to examine a problem with a clear mind, a fresh perspective. In exploring old ideas, we may grasp on to some notions and thus cloud our perspective. To truly innovate I suggest that you let go of all previous ideas and solutions, whether they are your own or somebody else’s. In doing so, you begin to clear your mind.

I am not saying that studying the past is bad, but it is unnecessary. Indeed studying historical solutions can broaden one’s perspective and potentially lead to marginal innovations, but that is not what we are after here. There is no danger in exploring past concepts as long as you understand the risk of holding on to those ideas as bias.

All that is required for innovation is an open mind. Let your thoughts flow without judgment; do not hold on to any one idea. Maintain a fresh perspective by seeing things as they are instead of how you presume them to be.

When you can look upon a problem with an open mind, free of bias and preconception, you will naturally see what you could not before. This expanded perspective is where innovation arises, true innovation that is capable of radically changing our understanding of possibility.

Innovation is only as elusive as the present moment, only as foreign as a non-biased perspective.

Stop seeking and start seeing.