I wrote this for myself. I am obsessed with it. I can’t help but be obsessed with solving every problem or every inefficiency that I see. I know these guideposts will help me when I need it.
I started this blog a few months back to help me have a platform to do my research about innovation and creativity. Over time, gradually, I started to understand its basics and intricacies.
I failed a couple of times but when successful, I fell in love with the products or solutions that I develop. I get motivated every time I hear business challenges internally and that of our clients. I’ve also seen what innovation looks like at every stage of our business and in life.
1. Innovation Never Stops. Problems and challenges never stop therefore you should never stop innovating. Do not tolerate problems that you see, queue it in your to-dos, prioritize and work on each of them.
2. Be Brave to Start Again. If the product or solution does not work, cut the losses and do not be afraid of starting again. The company 3M has this process of keeping what works and discarding what doesn’t work.
3. Find Your Inspiration. In music, you need inspiration to come up with songs. In writing, you find inspiration from books you read on life experiences. In business, you get inspiration from your mentors, competitors, and innovators.
4. Don’t Worry if You Can’t Figure Out Your Niche Yet. When I started the company, we didn’t know yet what to build. We built our first product (accounting software) from the people around us who happened to be accountants. All I want at the time is to innovate.
5. Be Patient. I know I said not to be afraid to start again, but you have to find that balance in re-doing and being patient. It takes time. If you are building a product, build your minimum viable product (MVP) and iterate. On the first year, start, research, and learn everything. Just Do. On the 2nd year, try to network and make friends with people who are your possible clients or partners. Year three, try to start making money, but not profit yet. Year four, profit and year five, scale up.
6. There are no shortcuts. This is related to number 5, but just to emphasize further, there’s no life hack, or overnight success, for innovation. It takes time.
7. Stick with the Purpose. More than money and profits, the product or innovation that you do should have a purpose, a mission and vision. It can be as simple as innovating your to-do list. Being efficient in your to-dos will help you focus and be efficient in managing time. So in effect, you will have the time for other important matters or time to spend time with your family. That’s the purpose.
8. Start Today. Don’t wait for tomorrow, or next week to innovate. Be mindful of the problems in front of you, then look for solutions now.
9. What If I Want to Invent Something Weird? Maybe a flying car, or underground tunnel? Do item 5 then number 2.
10. What If I Keep on Failing? Do a routine every morning to listen to positive affirmations from YouTube. List down three things you are thankful for. Exercise. Then repeat from number 1.
Hopefully, these will be useful to you as it was, and will always be, to me.