How to become an innovative thinker

In today's constantly changing landscape, the options are limited: innovate or die. Upon my encounter with a couple of very thoughtful articles, I decided to compile the insights and recommendations and build a comprehensive list of how to become an outstanding innovator.

To keep up with the pace of the changing world, we need to embrace a couple of mind habits that will help us expose ourselves to new ideas.

First, if you want to learn faster, expose yourself to different ideas, different types of people and new ways of life. We learn the most when we encounter people, experiences, and ideas that are the least like us. We need to be selective about spending our time with people who challenge us. Feeling safe, we fail to realize the downside of spending most of our time with people and in places that are the most like us.

Second, we need to bear in mind that the best source of new ideas in field A can be old ideas from unrelated fields

It turns out, a powerful source of new ideas in industry A can be standard procedures from another industry — well-established practices that turn to be revolutionary when we simply move them from one place to another.

Third, successful learners strive not to be loners. Smart people seek to collaborate with other smart people – thinking with others yields higher returns. Creative people hang out with other creative people, embrace ambiguity and do not fear failure.

The final and very crucial thing is not to get stuck diving deep into your specific knowledge silo. Rather, look, learn, and live more broadly. Have a wide field of vision.