Innovators Play

[Who We Need - V]

We miss what an innovator is really up to when we think they are preoccupied with simply making new stuff.

An innovator, by definition (from the Latin, innovare, to change or renew) creates what is new. But creating the next thing just beyond the imagination of the rest of us does not happen by sitting at a desk, clenching one’s fists, closing one’s eyes, and repeating, “Make something new; make something new.” Innovation happens by playing.

Innovators play.
With materials.
With ideas.
With habits.
With assumptions and perceptions.
With rituals and traditions and holy texts.

The world of problems is not a world of insurmountable obstacles. The world of problems is an excuse to play.

Innovators aren’t intimidated by problems but motivated; they’re not afraid but inspired.

We don’t need innovators to be more serious because we live in perilous times. We need innovators to have more fun, play more, experiment more because we live in perilous times.

Go play!