(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

This is not an either/or Distinction. Both sides are useful. What’s important is to notice when you are in which mode.

Culturally we revere and encourage innovation. It’s what drives most progress. Statues have been erected to innovators.

But you can’t be an all-day-every-day innovator. Trying to constantly be the first and only (i.e. an innovator) is tiring and doomed. It’s nearly always much better to see what has already been done, that works, and then imitate it. This is the world of the routine, ordinary, and mundane. In other words, most of life.

Save your innovating for the creative breakthroughs. The contributions you alone are here to make. The part of you which extends boundaries and evaporates limitations.

 

Coaching Point: Do you know when to invent the next new wheel and when to just roll with an existing one which can serve you as well?

 

Copyright 2015 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.