please stop the voices
I’ve posted before about innovation and creativity. Recent events have brought this back into my daily thoughts and how I continue to try and define myself. Those are mere details that I don’t want to get into, however I do have some things to share.
you’re not helping
On Twitter, someone tweeted about this incredible post (apologies to you; I can’t find the original tweet):
In the late 1800s, the Brooklyn Bridge was built with no power tools, no heavy machinery, and only a basic, evolving understanding of how to make steel. It’s not these facts, but the stories surrounding the facts that inspire me when I take a good, long stare at a suspension bridge. But first…
Rands has quite a following. I had not seen his blog before but you can bet I’ll be following it. To me, the message is that despite the impossible, don’t stop trying. Sure, I over simplified it, but that’s okay. It’s such a great post, any summation I do would not do the post justice. Just go read it.
realizations
However, it does help slam some things I’ve been juggling into perspective. I don’t have or know all the answers, but I am not afraid to try new things and take some lumps, (or teeth marks on my skull) for something I believe in. Change is scary. New ideas can seem silly. The wrong motivation can really crush the spirit.
In preparation of this post, I was trying to come up with a catchy title so I looked up innovation in the thesaurus:
Main Entry: |
innovation |
Part of Speech: |
noun |
Definition: |
change, novelty |
Synonyms: |
addition, alteration, contraption, cutting edge*, departure, deviation, introduction, last word*, latest thing*, leading edge*, modernism, modernization, modification, mutation, newness, notion, permutation, shift, variation, vicissitude, wrinkle* |
Antonyms: |
custom, habit, old, old hat, rut, tradition |
Naturally, the synonyms are all familiar to me, but what was interesting was seeing them in this context. The synonyms that speak to me are:
- addition
- alteration
- departure
- deviation
- introduction
- leading edge
- modernism
- modernization
- modification
- mutation
- newness
- shift
nuggets
The element that all these words have in common, is “change.” Could the essential nugget of wisdom of innovation boil down to one thing? Change? Yeah, I think it does.
I’m conflicted. I like to think of myself as an “Agent of Change” but I sure feel like a jerk saying that. And there are probably people out there who think I’m a jerk for saying it, but the truth is, I do like change.
what about the risk?
But what about risk? I’m not afraid of the risk of a change or a new idea, what I am shy about, is the risk of exposing myself. For the most part, I feel like I am confident in who I am, but it’s one thing to pitch my ideas to higher ups or more experienced people in my arena. It’s a personal risk, for sure, but also it’s pulling back the kimono a bit, right? It’s exposing myself to someone who could squash my spirit or worse. So it is risk? Or fear? Or both?
What holds me back? What holds you back?
Alright, I feel like I am rambling a bit. I think I went down the rabbit hole. Anyways, where was I…
Back to innovation. Whatever word you pick to use to describe it, I’m okay.