Innovation is a daring pursuit - a process of creating something new. By its very nature, innovation often navigates uncharted territory, where the path forward is uncertain, and success is far from guaranteed. In fact, the odds often favour failure over success. Yet, innovation demands a lot - time, energy, resources, and dedication. For those funding their own projects, the risks are even greater, requiring founders to have incredible determination and resilience.
Wrestling with Doubts
During the process of developing iFieldnotes, an AI-powered field note-taking app, I frequently confronted voices of doubt—both from within and from those around me. Staying confident while charting unknown territory is no easy task. At these moments, I found strength in an unlikely source: Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ) by Genrich Altshuller, a Russian inventor and philosopher.
Genrich Altshuller, founder of Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ)
Altshuller’s story is truly remarkable. In the 1950s, he developed his groundbreaking theory while imprisoned in a Soviet concentration camp. Despite gruelling 12-hour workdays, freezing temperatures, constant humiliation, and near-starvation, Altshuller found a way to endure. When asked how he survived both physically and mentally, he explained that three types of people managed to persevere: the deeply religious, high-ranking military officers, and what he called “crazy inventors.” Altshuller saw himself as the latter.
Even in such harsh conditions, he kept his mind active, solving creative problems and drawing strength from the joy of original thought. For Altshuller, the process of invention was a source of resilience—a way to maintain his humanity and independence amidst dehumanising circumstances. His ability to think freely and creatively, even in captivity, helped him rise above an environment designed to crush individuality.
The Joy of Genuine Creativity
Not every idea can be called truly creative. Genuine creativity shines when a problem is resolved with simplicity and clarity—like navigating a thick jungle and finally reaching a mountain peak. From the top, the path suddenly becomes obvious.
While working on iFieldnotes, I experienced a few such moments—rare flashes of insight when a complex issue revealed an elegant solution. These moments were incredibly rewarding, filling me with joy and a deep sense of achievement. Renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow described creative experience as “peak experience.” He saw these as times of self-actualisation, the highest level of human needs in his hierarchy.
Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human needs
Why the Journey is Worth it
The path of innovation is risky and uncertain, but its rewards extend far beyond the final outcome. The process itself - the creativity, the problem-solving, and the breakthroughs - makes the journey worthwhile.
As Altshuller demonstrated, creative thinking can sustain us even in the most challenging situations. For innovators, the joy of creating something new and meaningful is what makes the journey so special, regardless of where it ultimately leads.
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