It seems in today’s world we are all obsessed with innovation. But it seems that all types of innovation are directed towards technological innovation, instead of anything else.
But what if the most important type of innovation was self innovation, that is, innovating yourself?
The self innovators dilemma
Now this is the dilemma that we have: that which we did which made a successful got us to where we are. But in order to further innovate, we must self cannibalize our past selves.
Book the innovators dilemma by Clay was apparently one of the few business books that Steve Jobs actually took notice of. Basically the concept was if Apple where to keep innovating, it needed to not rest on it’s past principles of success.
For example, when Steve Jobs was kicked out of the company, Apple just started keep updating it’s Apple two computer. It stopped innovating, and does the company started to stagnate.
When Steve Jobs took the helm again, he took insanely risky and bold moves. He also knew that the new iPhone would cannibalize its iPod sales, but that was the right thing to do. remember the initial iPhone announcement? It was an innovative device that combined three things: music player, phone, and Internet device.
Why Migos will not stay on top
For a little bit, the rapper trio Migos was on top. But no longer. And I doubt they will ever reach the top again. Why? Because when they first hit the scene they were so insanely different from everyone else. But now when they make their subsequent Culture II and Culture III albums, they’re just trying to repeat what they’ve already done in the past. perhaps if Migos wants to reach the top again, they need to do something insanely different.
Why Kanye West is probably the greatest of all time
If we look at the growth of Kanye West, he probably actually is the best living artist of all time. he started from the bottom as a producer, making music and beats for others, then he started rapping with Jay Z. Then he started solo rapping. Then he started doing autotune. Then he started to go into fashion (which he was faced with tons of ridicule). Then getting into gospel music, and he continues to innovate with his Yeezy line, and his music.
Why are we so scared to self innovate?
I think the reason why we’re so afraid to self innovate is that once we’ve reached a level of success, we want to maintain that level of success. But in trying to maintain that same level of success, we keep doing the same formulate things, which ultimately leads to our own personal demise.
Why Instagram and social media is a trap
Ultimately any level of social media success and fame will lead to your own creative demise. Why is that? Because as you start again the following, you become trapped. Your audience expects you to keep putting out the same types of artwork, which will ultimately lead to your own creative stagnation.
Self-destruction
One theory I have is this: in order to create yourself new again, you must destroy your past self. This is a metaphorical notion of course.
Don’t desire to become your past self. Create yourself new every day.
ERIC