Have you heard the phrase “There’s nothing new under the sun?” Of course, there are new things! If we want to turn INFObesity into INTRIGUE, it’s up to us to turn GENERIC into GENIUS. Here’s my favorite example of someone who did it.
The first day Susan Brown picked her daughter up from daycare, the owner suggested she bring a pillow the next day so her baby could be propped up and watch what was going on around her.
That night, Susan tried propping her baby up on pillows at home, but none of them worked very well. A bed pillow was too soft. A couch pillow was too hard. (Am I starting to sound like Goldilocks?)
Susan’s inner inventor perked up. She went to her sewing machine, stitched together a C-shaped pillow, stuffed it with foam and then nestled it around her daughter so she could sit up.
Easy, peasy. Problem solved.
Susan took that C-shaped pillow to daycare the next day where it was an instant hit. Other mothers tried it, loved it, and begged her to make one for their baby.
Then the word got out, other daycare centers heard about her creation and asked to buy them in bulk.
Little did Susan know that her decision to come up with a new way – a better way – would become an iconic brand and a multimillion dollar business.
Please note: Susan didn’t have a degree in product design, merchandising, marketing, or business. She just was frustrated with current options and decided to create her own.
You may be thinking, “Well, good for Susan. But how can I do that?” Start by asking yourself the questions in our action below.
ACTION
What is something you do that is ineffective, time-consuming, awkward? Write down all the ways it feels, looks, sounds WRONG or DOESN’T WORK.
Now, ask yourself, “What would it look, feel, sound like if it DID WORK?” Think about how, ideally, this could be more right, easy, efficient, or fun.
Fill in the blanks, “Imagine, instead of having to ____, you could ____.” and “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could do ____ instead of ____?”
In no time, you’ll be shifting the NORM to the NEW. And turning the NOW (what exists) into the NEXT (what’s innovative.)
P.S. Want my help to take your ideas from generic to genius? Check out my coaching options here.