Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.
Just because something doesn’t do what you planned it to do doesn’t mean it’s useless.
THOMAS A. EDISON
Have you ever made a discovery from something that was entirely unintentional?
This theory extends far beyond a traditional invention, and is applicable to many different walks or experiences in life.
Often times we are working to pursue something with an expectation of our predetermined outcome. In the course of such an exploration, many opportune permutations identify themselves. We are so often myopically focused on what we are doing, that we may not even identify them as a result of our blinded perspective on what we perceive that we are doing.
Through that process, it is possible that we might be leaving far more on the table, metaphorically speaking, than we might first imagine. If we are less myopic and more broad-minded, in the way that we are perceiving ourselves within our quest, we are that much more likely to discover even better opportunities than might have first been projected.
It is only through our focus and determination, that we are more capable of seeing the other opportunities, and in the course of such an experience, we are enlightened by the more opportune choices that we had previously ignored.
From an inventor’s perspective, we are all the more willing and capable of recognizing that there are pieces of the equation that are serendipitously created in our continuous pursuit of our goal. In certain circumstances, the byproducts of our having spent our time and energy may prove to be considerably more valuable, long-term, than that which we had originally set our sights upon.
Certainly one of the greatest benefits of remaining open-minded during the invention process is the recognition that the creative exploration can in many ways, unlock different perspectives that might not have been readily identifiable at the outset of the project, but which become considerably more in focus as we, the inventors, transition further down our pathway.
When we are working our best to remain open-minded in our perspective, we unquestionably remain more ready and willing to entertain alternate possibilities as the experience matures.
When Edison invented the phonograph, he thought we was making an invention that would dictate letters or read books to the blind. It proved to have a few more valuable uses in the end.
Happy Saturday!
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