Dear September,
This
is one I should have been a bit more innovative with the title. Ok, here goes
nothing…
I
think I should start by saying that I’ve found that there is never only one way
to do anything. It is literally all about using what you have to get what you
want. The only limit is your mind.
I
recently started watching a television series called “Switched at Birth”. In a
nutshell, it follows the lives of two teenage girls who were switched at birth.
What’s more is that one of the girls is completely deaf. I’m sure you are
wandering what this detail has to do with creativity and innovation and
invention, but relax I promise it does.
I
think the first thing I learned from this show is that something that seems as
simple and as intuitive as communication can require innovation and creativity
under some circumstances. As I meditate on this fact, I remember a particular episode
where there was no speaking; all conversations were had in sign language. What
is shocking is that somewhere in the middle of the episode I lost sight of the
fact that the characters were not speaking. It didn’t matter that there were
not using conventional means to communicate, the message was being delivered
regardless.
Creativity
can be defined as the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality.
Creativity is the ability to think and act in ways that are new and novel.
There are two kinds of creativity, innovation and invention. Innovation can be
defined as the act or process of introducing new ideas, devices or methods. Innovation is thinking creatively about
something that already exists. It is about improving something that already
exists.
Invention is making, creating or producing
something useful for the first time. Do not take intimidation or force people to
appreciate your invention either. Invention is different, it is unique, there
is nothing to compare it to. There is no criticism possible here, people either
like it or they don’t, there is no sitting on the fence. It is different if you
haven’t done your research or there are technical lapses in your invention or
in your ideas, in such a situation, it can be open to criticism.
Be open to
getting inspiration from people through conversations and the relationships you
build but do not give other people the power to decide what ideas you pursue. An
invention is the finished product of creativity and innovation.
People often shy
away from invention and innovation and creativity because they do not believe
they have anything to offer but that’s wrong, everyone has something to offer.
Do not take the easy way out and do not play the victim when your work is
criticised. People often use criticism as an excuse to quit. They often forget
that the fact that something has never been done; does not make it impossible. Besides,
people get uncomfortable with things that they are not familiar with and that
should never be your problem or your responsibility. Your job is to do, END OF
STORY. Possessing the willingness to try is already half the battle.
Creativity is
the bridge between innovation ad invention, what you have and what you want to
achieve. Innovation is coming up with a different method, approach or
perspective when it seems like even the “smartest” people are giving up.
What you think
is an advantage, may be what is hindering you from getting to where you want to
be. When you think you know what you need before you even try, you are likely
to be wrong. This kind of mentality can also be an obstacle, it can prevent you
from seeing how another way can work out just as well if not better. In the
same vein, no one is a victim either, we may not all be given equal opportunity
but we are given equal potential and equal magic. Some people just have to dig
deeper than others. The power is in the mind not in the hands.
Creativity,
innovation and invention are all similar concepts but they are also quite
different. Anyone can come up with an idea but it takes courage and
perseverance and passion to follow through, especially in the face of obstacles
and difficulties and failure and the unknown. It takes a certain kind of
resilience to be able to pick up again with the same level of passion and
enthusiasm when one plan fails. Innovation is about being open-minded and
creativity is about commitment. Once you let go and stop trying to do things
the way you think they should be done, you discover magic and light in the most
unexpected places.
