6 habits of an innovative person

6 habits of an innovative person - Technology Gateways

We live in a world surrounded by innovative people. In this fast-paced modern environment, everyone is tripping over each other in order to stay ahead and survive. Innovative people understand that, as Jim Butler put it, “You don’t have to run faster than the bear to get away. You just have to run faster than the guy next to you.” 

Innovative people stand out. They all have the same habits, regardless of their field of work. Are you an innovative person? If so, you will be able to relate to the following…

  1. Living in the moment

Innovators live in the moment. They do not dwell on the past and cannot foresee the future of their work, therefore they take it one day at a time. Patience is key. They understand that it takes time to see success. They are programmed in a way where they are less concerned about success and more focused on progress.

  1. Thinking outside the box

True innovators can spot patterns, connections and relationships others cannot. They pay attention to minor details and can link these together quite easily. This allows them to predict gaps in the market and seize an opportunity for an innovation before others are even aware it is a possibility. They see a problem and turn it into an opportunity. As Steve Jobs once said, “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while.”

  1. Being time-efficient

‘Time is money’ as some might say, therefore innovators will be efficient with their time. They may have figured out what the ‘next big thing’ could be, but they are all aware that they must act fast before others make the same links and spot the same patterns that they can see.

  1. Taking risks

Innovative individuals take risks. They are curious and follow through with this inclination for knowledge, never to wonder, What if? They are not afraid of failure and, in fact, see mistakes as learning curves. Thomas Edison once said, “I haven’t failed. I’ve simply found 10,000 ways that do not work.” This is a perfect example of the mindset one must have in order to succeed. These individuals are intrinsically motivated, which means that they are driven by their own desire, hence the willingness to take risks.

  1. Writing everything down

Innovative people have a habit of writing everything down; ideas, thoughts, journals to read, contacts, interesting facts. They think onto paper so that they have a hardcopy to refer to. Even the brightest people can forget. Most would make to-do lists along their innovation journey in order to track their progress.

  1. Creative thinking

These people can’t help but be creative; it is simply how their minds are programmed. Cecil B. DeMille said, “Creativity is a drug I cannot live without.”  They use their experiences and their knowledge to invent new possibilities and get huge satisfaction from doing so.