Summary:
The meaning of innovation, the importance of innovation and tips to be innovative
“Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.” ― Robert A. Heinlein
We often come across statements like ‘Innovation is important” or “Be Innovative”. Businesses and businessmen are always pushing themselves toward innovation.
So, what is innovation? It is a new method, idea, or product that is competent and also trendy. Giant companies prove their worthiness through innovation. Innovation has driven man from living within a cave to a duplex with an infinity pool, whether he knows swimming or not. With every passing year, the hunger for new products and ideas keeps escalating and it sure isn’t going to get satiated any sooner.
There was a time when inventions were closely guarded secrets and even if something new was available in one part of the world it would never reach another part of the globe. But globalisation has changed the need and supply of innovation. Nowadays, anything new will hardly remain so for more than a couple of months, if not days.
Every company or any form of business, big or small, puts in all their effort to outsmart their competition through innovation. A card has gone from a visitor’s card to a visiting card and now visiting a website. Similarly, innovation has found its way into job vacancies as well. Only a student’s educational background and academic performance determine if they will be hired. Even if a student with outstanding academics might be shortlisted for a job, the likelihood is that they will remain on the waiting list if they lack originality.
Meanwhile, another candidate with mediocre grades but smart and innovative will face a higher chance of getting employed. The latter earned the preference for they are considered to be a better fit for any organisation or business. It all comes down to the need for thinking out of the box. This can be done only in two ways. Either you, as a student, think beyond the box, or the box is removed. In any case, if you don’t have something new to put forth, then chances are you’ll end up like old furniture in the attic.
So, to find success in an ever-changing world, let alone with the universe, you’ll need to develop your innovative streak. Every single person on the planet is innovative and creative. Therefore, as a student, all you need to do is enhance what is already within you. This is exactly what the metaphor of thinking outside the box suggests.
Innovation and innovative ideas largely come from external sources. Therefore, in order to be inventive as a student, you must acquire information and experience beyond what is taught in the school curriculum. In other words, reading different genres of books, or conversing with a stranger or colleagues can generate a sudden spark of creativity.
After all, innovation comes from inspiration which can strike anyone, anywhere, and at any time. However, the variety in ideas is directly proportional to the variety of knowledge or experience a person has.
3 Important Ways You Can Develop Your Innovative Mind
1. Be up To Date with Info
To be innovative, students must develop something novel in the industry you want to work in. However, not knowing what already exists can be a disadvantage. How will you create something new without knowing about what already exists? So, it is essential to be up-to-date with information regarding your field of expertise.
2. No More Comfort Zone
The development of students’ innovative thought processes requires them to step outside of their comfort zone. To be successful, one must fear to fail, and only by experiencing new and different things does one develop a sense of observation. Besides, sticking to old methods will only create old products. New ideas need new methods which in turn need new experiences.
3. Read and Listen Well
One of the easiest sources of knowledge is books and an entire lifetime is not enough to go through them all. However, reading books about your subject matter as well as other topics will expand your knowledge and point of view as a student. Meanwhile, it is essential to listen to what others say. It could be coming from a colleague, a superior at work, or elders at home. When someone shares a piece of their mind with you, take it and keep it. Sooner or later it might come in handy. Besides, there is no information in the universe that is useless.
