Trigger your imagination by asking yourself questions throughout the day.

1. What do you see others doing that can be simplified, made faster or easier?
2. What hassles or pet peeves can you translate into problems looking for a solution?
3. Did you see someone use something that the use could be re-purposed?
4. What trends did you notice in my family, community or country?
5. What aspects of people’s environment could be made better?
6. What new thing would my friends or customers like to see in the future that would make thier life easier?
7. What complaints did you hear today?
8. Hear any wishful comments today? Like if this would only do a something else to it would be great!
9. What services are missing in your community?

When ever you find those issues write them down in an inventors notebook. The solution may not be in immediate reach. Then go over them on a monthly basis. Is there a pattern in the problems? Did a problem in one area suggest a solution in another area? Keep your observations active and take advantage of them. You have to solve a problem to make more income.

Observation is the key.

Many times problems occur in front of us but we don’t catch them. Problems that have workarounds become invisible.  Since you have a way around the problem eventually you don’t see it as a problem. You have to be able to  observe your own actions.  That can be very difficult to do but it also opens the mind to observe more deeply. The effect is to question (within reason!)  why you do things in a certain way. When a co-worker or customer complains about a problem. Capture that issue. It is a fleeting item and can be lost if you don’t capture immediately.  Be sure to understand it from the viewpoint it was found from. That lets you know not only what the problem is but who needs to be satisfied with the solution.

The problem is the lock.

Extrapolate what you saw and try to describe the issue as clearly as you can. Typically it will take multiple tries because the words you need to use might not be in your normal vocabulary. Describe the issue at the root. Do not solve the issue at this stage. The better you can describe the concept of the problem the more effective you will be at finding a solution.

Innovation turns the handle and opens the door.

Now apply yourself to the extracted problem concept. The innovation needed to solve the problem does not work in a straight line. Expect bumps and dead ends. Write or draw any possible solutions you can think of. Your approach should branch out in all directions. Explore the concept for the solution might be. Change the parameters of the problem a bit. Are you blocking the way to the solution by restricting your innovation within the limits of your expertise?  Limiting your solution to one user type?  Reach beyond into what needs done to solve the issue not how it needs done. When you can describe in real terms what should be done to solve the issue you are on the path to an innovation. Then start looking for the how to for the solution.  Don’t be surprised if it requires some special knowledge you don’t have.

Observation is the key. The problem is the lock. Innovation unlocks the solution.

There is a distinct difference in how you solve problems. Link to Science daily. While learning programming I have noticed a lack of ideas appearing. It seems the more regimented our thoughts and approaches are the less we play hunches. We apply what we have learned in the ways that are effective. That may limit the imagination to  solutions to more of a straight line thought pattern. After the knowledge of that area gets into the background it should be usable for imagination sources.

While in the loose and free mode of thinking the ideas continued to appear. The question this asks is “Which mindset is more effective for ideas and how can it be achieved?”

Using method allows you to find issues you can see and where you can plan on a solution. Planning on the solution to the problem can be effective if you are the expert. The problem with the method approach is it keeps your views within the limits of your knowledge. If the solution is that easy to reach does it have value?

Using insight requires you to reach beyond your immediate view and go into the unknown where the problem is more important than knowing the solution. When going into the unknown the concentration is on finding and understanding  the problem first without regard to the exact solution.  Instead of having a distinct reachable solution it typically requires you to access more expertise. When the solution is very hard to reach it might be more valuable.

This is very simplified. I’ll get back to this subject again.