Great innovations have changed the course of history, transforming the world and, ultimately, making our lives better. Take the light bulb as an example. It has changed the way in which we use energy in our homes and offices. People are ingenious and when they put their minds to the test, great results arise. Everything surrounding us was once an idea in someone else’s head. If another person succeeded in transforming their idea into reality, so can you.
Everything we need has already been invented. The question now is: What can you bring new to the table? The world has problems that need solving ASAP. Just take a look at issues such as food scarcity or resource depletion. You can find a way to help out. Our civilization needs inventors who can push the boundaries of possibility. If you don’t want to contribute to the greater good, that’s fine. Come up with a new invention and monetize it. It can have commercial success.
Can’t think of an invention? Try as you might, you simply can’t find the right idea. In case you didn’t already know, coming up with an idea for innovation takes time. In what follows, you have some actionable tips to help you jumpstart the creative process.
Find a problem worth solving (and a solution)
Needless to say, you’re not going to waste your time on just about anything. Identify a problem that is worth solving and start brainstorming. You can start by observing the environment. If you have good observation skills, you can learn, recall, and understands what’s going on around you. The goal is to find something that is missing and identify areas for improvement. A good invention idea should not only satisfy a need or want but also fix a troubling problem.
It’s recommended to focus your attention on areas that you master. For instance, if you’re knowledgeable in terms of infectious diseases, you can design a novel device that solves the challenges that health care professionals deal with on a daily basis. Take the time to listen to what others are saying. As you know, people share their pains to make life more bearable. What battles are people fighting, anyway? Write down all the issues that need resolving right away and see if any solution comes to mind.
Take time to relax and ask for help if necessary
Some problems are more difficult to solve than others. For some, there could be countless solutions, while for others, you’re barely able to come up with just one feasible answer. If you’re struggling to find a good solution that addresses the issue quickly and effectively, it’s necessary to take some time off. It’s good for your brain. Taking a hot, steaming shower or going out for a jog is what you need to do when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Perhaps the solution will come out of nowhere. Perhaps not. There’s no way of knowing, just to be clear.
You can bounce ideas off your friends or family. Yet, there’s no guarantee that it will work. The best thing to do is to silence your mind and give the inner stream of consciousness a chance to come through. At times, the best ideas come when you least expect them. Be confident that your brainstorming session will yield positive results. What if you have a great invention idea but don’t know what you should do? Get over your reluctance to ask for assistance.
Maximize your chances of success and ask for invention help when you need it the most. Find out if your idea is unique or in-demand. Maybe your invention idea won’t be the next big thing. Unless you try, you never know how far you can go. Have a chat with the pros and establish whether your efforts are worthwhile. Sometimes, the challenge isn’t represented by the lack of new ideas, but trying to figure out if the idea is worth investing time and money in.
Build a prototype and test your idea
Before bringing your idea to the market, it’s necessary to build a prototype and determine if it actually works. What the prototype does is to imitate the future product, so you’re able to evaluate its performance before it goes into production. Consider your budget. More exactly, determine how much you can afford to spend on getting a physical prototype designed. You could be looking at thousands of dollars. And no, it’s not enough to have a 3D-printed mockup. Having something tangible to test is important.
If there are any issues with the prototype, you can make changes while the product is still in the design phase. Have the prototype tested on real users. This is one of the most effective methodologies. Record the way in which the users interact with the prototype – in other words, obtain qualitative and quantitative results. If the product is good to go, you can monetize your idea. The most important thing to keep in mind is that prototypes needn’t be perfect. If the product does what it’s supposed to do, the details don’t matter. Not in the first stages, at least.
Stay positive
Last but not least, you must have confidence that your invention idea will be a success. Undertake preliminary market research and begin validating your idea. Transforming an idea into a finite product is a process that takes time and effort. Surprising as it may seem, some inventions take years to materialize. It’s paramount to be patient and work diligently to see your idea through. As the saying goes, success doesn’t happen overnight. No matter what happens, don’t give up on your invention. You have the opportunity to make a difference in the world and it would be a pity not to take advantage of it.
Don’t claim that your product is a sure bet regardless of how confident you are in its abilities. You’ll be setting yourself up for disappointment. Instead of boasting about it, you should rather let others praise your invention. Don’t worry because they’ll understand just how great it is.