INNOVATE AND BRIDGE LIFE
Most every person during their lifetime will encounter challenges that will require them to become innovative to survive. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic we are currently facing requires people to adjust their daily habits to protect themselves and retool their lives. We are required to practice social distancing, wash our hands often, and wear a mask to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. A lack of innovation during these challenging times will most likely result in increased illness and tougher future.
What is innovation? The word innovation, in my opinion, is a key component for growth and achievement in a person's life. I believe there are four innovation sub-components which are as follows:
The desire to actively seek opportunities.
Being curious and seek answers beyond the obvious things.
Thinks " Big Picture".
Never gives up despite obstacles and adversities.
Innovation implementation can consist of seeking new opportunities through researching new ideas, asking for help from experts for solutions, or revisiting problem areas and identify the root causes of issues. Other implementation methods may include not being too involved in the details of a problem, but instead to look at the situation as a whole and persevering through roadblocks.
The four sub-components that I mentioned can be critical for our survival. We must realize that everyone is operating in imperfect conditions and that we have deficiencies.
So now that we understand our conditions and components of survival then the next step is to re-frame our lives with the creation of a plan. This step is the most exciting for me because the adversity we face forces us to think outside the box to organize and increase our creativity. Start your reorganization plan by focusing on the end game. Ask yourself what is it that you would like to achieve then develop an action plan bridge from that goal to your reality. Write down your action steps, set deadlines, keep your mind focused and on task. Additionally, learn new skills along the way, act, and do not procrastinate. Be sure to reward yourself when the goal is achieved.
Innovation requires risk, so it is vital to allow for a level of failure. We can be doing everything right based on the plan, but still, fail to achieve the goal. Do not lose hope if this happens. Remain flexible, regroup, and keep it moving.
Remember that you are not alone. There are numerous people worldwide faced with similar or maybe worse challenges. You must stand up, dust off, and tap into that innovation gene innate in us all to help overcome your current circumstances.
