As you embark on new innovation projects this year, set yourself up as a professional creative does. First, prepare the canvas. Get your ideas in order. Select the appropriate size and format that will express your ideas for an optimal result. Innovation starts here.
Then choose the best tools at hand. For artists, this may be paper, paint, clay, wood, fiber, or other material. Tools for your innovation project may include research and other data, organizational resources, and colleagues offering ideas and support.
Then, dive in. For artists, there is nothing quite so appealing as the joy of a blank canvas. Yes, it can be intimidating to face that wide open space. But the creative professional knows that what’s most important is to start. Mentally compose the idea, choose the appropriate tool, and put that pen, pencil, brush, stick, sponge, or fingertip to work.
Any shape can be altered, any line erased. But the “waiting to begin until I’m ready” cannot be overcome until action takes place.
Creatives and innovation professionals both understand that projects are always works in progress, open to alterations and reconsiderations. We cannot get to the better version without going through the first rough drafts, beta tests, and pilot projects along the way.
Whatever you have in mind for this year, begin.
For me, I will be visiting Innovation Labs around the United States to bring back stories of how innovation is really happening in ways large and small. If you have an Innovation Lab you’d like to nominate for me to visit, please zip me an email.
Your challenge this week: Consider all the innovation projects you want to accomplish this year, and decide which one will likely generate the greatest positive impact. Then in some small way, begin.