Being an innovator

By definition innovation is something new or different. It can also be viewed as the application of better solutions that meet new requirements (Wikipedia). So how does one actually innovate?

Following technology as closely as I do, and working for one of the most innovative tech companies of the century (Apple Inc.,). I've come to realize one simple rule of thumb about innovation. You have to learn when NOT to follow.

How can one find a better solution if he/she is continually following what exist?

To not follow takes courage and vision. You have to walk in faith, while only following your beliefs. It's this kind of courage that bread the Tesla Model S, and even the iOS and Andriod systems of today. If Apple and Google continued to follow the existing smart phone companies of the early 2000's, we would still have BlackBerries and PalmPilots (remember those?).

To innovate you can not fear the possibility of failure. You should use each failure as a lesson learned. Quite frankly that's called R&D, :-). In any event, be courageous, be curious. If you think there is a better way, pursue it. Use failures as your motivation to ultimately succeed. The greatest innovators where normally the ones everyone thought were the most outlandish and craziest people. All because they believed there was a betty way than the current standard. It's not until they finally found the means to bring their -crazy- ideas to life, that everyone could see, they were right. There is a better way.

So be crazy, be outlandish, be daring, be innovative.

PS; for some inspiration on dreaming big and thinking out the box, take a look at Kickstarter and/or TedTalks.