“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it; if you can dream it, you can become it” – William Arthur Ward
Have you ever had an ‘aha!’ moment; when something just clicks, a idea comes to mind and things suddenly make sense? Inspiration strikes and at once, you see things differently.
Getting that ‘aha moment’ is the critical thing. As the above quotation states, “if you can imagine it, you can achieve it.” How then does one go about imagining things that are different, ahead of their time, and worth the effort?
1. Keep an open mind. Accept ideas as they come. Sure, not all ideas that come into your mind will be worth following, but many will be. The biggest roadblock at times can be the one between our own two ears. Many people are far too conservative for their own good. Have you heard the story attributed to Henry Leavitt Ellsworth, US Patent Commissioner in the 1840s who is said to have remarked “Everything useful has already been invented?” In the 1840s, he thought nothing new could be invented?! Lucky for us, most thinkers and makers ignored his statement. They continued to be inspired by their dreams and to forge ahead creating more inventions than existed when Ellsworth made his pronouncement. Keep your mind open for your best ideas yet.
2. Think. Take time to meditate, research, and muse. It is in your periods of quiet that ideas come to you. The more time you spend in solitude, the greater insight you gain. Read books on the fields you want advancement and your knowledge will turn into insight.
3. Test your ideas. Einstein spent countless hours in his laboratory generating and testing his numerous ideas before he found the ones that ‘clicked.’ An idea is no good if you don’t test its usefulness.
4. Put your ideas out there in the marketplace. Our world is run by ideas. Set yours among others out there and see if it soars or flounders. If it soars, great. Take it to the next level. On the other hand, if it does not do so well. Try your next ideas. Even the greatest of inventors didn’t get their best ideas on Day One.
The world is waiting for your ideas.
