Hey, have you ever come up with an idea, invention, or concept and thought - wow, what if this could be a real product? We all have! It's a natural human instinct to invent and create solutions to problems to make things better - you can call that an aspect of innovation. Innovation may sound like a serious corporate word, only accessible to those in higher tiers of research, but really it has a simple definition.
innovation
1: a new idea, method, or device : NOVELTY
2: the introduction of something new
Did you know that innovation can be applied to many things, not just big-scale problems, but small-scale too. Putting products and inventions aside, have you ever considered what your life would look like if you brought a splash of innovation to the problem areas that you face, or that the people around you face? What about your dreams and desires? What could innovation in your life, and through YOU look like?
That's a great question, and something that Minicrew is ALL about! Though simple but thought-provoking articles with quirky illustrations and writing prompts along with interactive content, our goal is to help YOU think differently, and TAKE ACTION!
The fact that you've gotten this far into this articles means you are interested, which is a core component of innovation - The drive, desire, and imagination to see change happen. Something that is uniquely human. Many people stay stuck in their problems for various reasons. Some problems are too big to be resolved immediately, but.. sometimes problems are surprisingly yielding, like putty in your hand, the future can be shaped be innovation and your desire for change. Sometimes we just need little encouraging and some testimonies that innovation and change aren't just for the lucky few, the ultra-talented, the elite.. it's for everyone who's wiling to take some risk.
Some problems are too big to be resolved immediately, but.. sometimes problems are surprisingly yielding, like putty in your hand, the future can be shaped by innovation and your desire for change.
Sometimes innovation comes at a point of invitation. I remember sitting in my backyard outside of Austin, TX and thinking about things, likely a little irritated, and phrase came into my mind as clear as day. "stop giving yourself over to FRUSTRATION" - this was a moment of invitation to see my life differently. Would I take it, and would I experience change?
The answer was - YES, but it took time to make that change. I began to see myself as capable again and life as having opportunity, because I was willing to let go of criticism, frustration, and dissappoinment. I had unique talents, unique connections, and everything I needed to continue stepping into innovation in my life and career. But I was waisting my energy giving myself over to frustration and the critic's voice, rather than embracing who I was and what I could offer the world around me. I believe that phrase came to me from something outside of myself, not my own imagination, it was an invitation to make a change.
Friends, we all have that choice to make. Embrace our uniqueness and talents, and reach for something higher than our frustrations. And when things outside of us give us an invitation, such as friends, colleagues, a company, or even maybe.. can I suggest God? - TAKE IT with enthusiasm and gratitude.
And when things outside of us give us an invitation, such as friends, colleagues, a company, or even maybe.. can I suggest God? - TAKE IT with enthusiasm and gratitude.
Let's get Rolling
Here's a starting point for you, and why I'm so adamant about my sketchbook - for whatever reason that's where change often starts, that's where I receive invitations every week. The simplicity of paper and pen (or pencil) is where it begins. Change starts NOW - IF you want it!
Here are 3 tips to move it forward, so you can start today!
- Daily Journal: aim for something daily.. even just 5 minutes is a start. You just need a basic pen and paper, or you can find a fun sketchbook and pen from a local store.
- Explore Formats: Sometimes a few basic prompts will help, and at the same time you can mix it up with sketches, diagrams, and words.. it's your canvas, don't hold back!
- Talk it Over: Take some time to talk with your friends or family, and make it a habit to keep the dialogue going, you never know what other ideas might come up.
Here's a download PDF I made just for this post, it's got tips, a sample of some journaling, and some other inspiration.
