I really like this piece of art by Hugh MacLeod. It's title is "Live on the Edges or Not at All." Life is better out on the edge. It's not as comfortable…but it's better. Neri Oxman says, "On the fringes, I think, is where disruptive innovation begins." I love that.
First of all, if you are floating along in the middle, or doing average stuff for average people, or clinging to the status quo…the way things have always been done, don't expect innovation to just appear on your desktop some morning. Don't expect to be thrilled with new discoveries because you won't be having any. Are you a pioneer waking up to a new horizon every day or are you a settler,always content in the same old place.
According to Oxman (and I totally agree with her), you'll find innovation out on the edges. Roy Williams used to always say, "You've got to throw the cat in the punch bowl" and it's the same thought…before you can really bring about true, lasting change, you've got to be willing to do the bold thing, to live on the edge and disrupt the status quo.
Think about the great inventions or the great explorers and their discoveries. Think about the great products or the great designs. Are they great because they're just a little different? Are they memorable because they're just a little better or a little bigger?
Nope. If you want to change your current situation and find the purple cow, you are going to have to take some bold steps, find the fringe and embrace the discomfort of disruptive innovation. Don't settle for the same. Don't settle for "just as good." Stir it up. I got your back.
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