Bring Innovation Into Your Life
Author: Patricia Williams

The 'power of innovation' is a phrase that sounds like a
corporate tactic or slogan, a secret talent worthy of only the
rich and powerful. Actually, the power of innovation is an
innate quality that we all possess. If you tend to marvel at
the creativity of others, you may be surprised that you can
create and innovate too. Everyone is born with creativity. Just
watch a group of preschoolers with a box of crayons. The
potential isn't limited to a chosen few; it's shared by all.

Think of how long it took to learn to ride a bike, drive a car,
or learn to stop making the same mistakes. Discover your natural
innovation can take the same amount of practice. Innovation is a
mind function that needs to be called, and can become lazy if
it's not nurtured. The purpose here is to share a few tips
bring innovation into your life.

Don't listen to what other people say, but follow the beat of
your own drum. Letting other people have influence will only
bring cacophony to the music you are trying to make. If you
have an original idea, don't waste your time and effort trying
to make people understand. Their lack of understanding can
spoil your creative spirit, and the help they offer will likely
come in the form of negative feedback. Consider history's
greatest geniuses. If they had listened to their doubtful
peers, we might still be living in the middle ages.

Spend time on your creative process. Give it as much attention
as possible, but don't quit your day job. It might take some
time management slight of hand, but adjust your schedule to
accommodate both your professional obligations and your
creative endeavors.

Exercise. Walk around the block, ride a bike or jog a mile or
two. When you send all those endorphins coursing through your
veins, your brain will take notice. Exercising brings a clarity
and sense of relaxation to your mind. It's in this state that
the best ideas can seem to come from nowhere.

Record your dreams. Sometimes, dreams bring thoughts that your
conscious mind can barely comprehend. Vivid dreams are proof
that you possess an untapped innovative power that needs to be
let loose. Recording your dreams can creative the innovative
spark that you need.

Find your style. Art lovers can always tell a Van Gogh from a
Matisse. Literary critics can identify a story by Hemingway,
just from the choice of words on the paper. You have your own
unique style. People will appreciate your innovation more
because it is uniquely yours, and no one else could have
possibly known what you were thinking. Allow people to see your
innovation and they will appreciate how valuable an asset you
are.

Forget the gadgets and tools. You don't need the most expensive
set of paints to produce a masterpiece, or an expensive fountain
pen or laptop computer to write the next bestseller. In fact,
J.K. Rowling wrote the first book of the Harry Potter Series on
bits of tissue. Expensive SLR cameras can't help if you have no
photographic skills. An artist who uses fewer tools relies more
on their natural abilities, and learns what works and what
doesn't.

Without passion, tools of the trade are useless. To find your
passion, think of the drive that wakes you up in the morning
and keeps your flame burning bright all day. Sometimes those
who work hard to obtain it can overshadow the people with
natural talent. Consider the story of the tortoise and the
hare. Ellen Degeneres once said that if you're not doing
something that you want to do, then you don't really want to do
it. Sometimes the drive you have to achieve can make you
virtually unstoppable. That is your passion.

Inspiration can come out of nowhere, and it can also be hard to
find.  You can't force inspiration. It hits when you least
expect it, in unpredictable yet inevitable moments. Be prepared
for those moments of inspiration. An idea can strike you on the
subway, but if you don't have a sheet of paper handy, you can
miss out on the thought that can change the world. Avoid these
creative disasters. Have a pen and paper within your arm's
reach at all times.

Innovation can be brought into your life, even if you believe
that you haven't a creative bone in your body. Keep in mind
that you're search for innovation is to satisfy your
expectations and meet your goals, not anyone else's. Soon
enough, those around you will begin to notice your creative
flair.


About The Author: Patricia Williams contributes to several web
sites, including http://rebaw.com and http://poweg.com