Ask HN: How to train your brain to recognize opportunities for innovation?
As a technical guy, I'm scared of the idea of being dependent on an idea-guy to come up with real-world problems to solve. I strongly believe that not only should I be able to solve problems through technology (or even simpler means, if you're into the whole lean current), but that I must be able to identify the problems themselves on my own.
The issue is that I have a very consumer-like mind and I feel I'm constantly missing out on opportunities to identify areas of improvement or disruption. As a silly example, I would have never thought of allowing individuals to be able to use credit cards for simple personal transactions (I'm referring to Square), and yet it's such a simple and powerful idea.
How do I train myself to look at the world from the point of view of an innovator? How do I spot opportunities? Any interesting books / internet reads on the subject?
I'm rather good at making things that others tell me to make, but I feel there's nothing as enthralling on working on a problem you yourself "discovered" and believe is really important to solve.
The issue is that I have a very consumer-like mind and I feel I'm constantly missing out on opportunities to identify areas of improvement or disruption. As a silly example, I would have never thought of allowing individuals to be able to use credit cards for simple personal transactions (I'm referring to Square), and yet it's such a simple and powerful idea.
How do I train myself to look at the world from the point of view of an innovator? How do I spot opportunities? Any interesting books / internet reads on the subject?
I'm rather good at making things that others tell me to make, but I feel there's nothing as enthralling on working on a problem you yourself "discovered" and believe is really important to solve.