Innovate. Invent. Create.

Innovation is the new buzz word.  And for good reason, we need it now more than ever. It’s up to you and me. We each play a critical role in how the future of our world will be shaped. We can choose to be a part of the solution, rather than the problem.

Our current economic woes have put us in a unique place, where in order to survive we must think outside the box and exercise our creative muscles.

Sometimes its easy to get caught up in the doom and gloom of the situation,  but our time and energy are much better spent toward creating innovative solutions.

The TED (an invitation-only event where the world’s leading thinkers and doers gather to find inspiration) website hit the nail on the head when they said, “Behind the grim headlines, innovation and invention are alive and flourishing.”

Companies both large and small are leading the innovation forefront. FastCompany just released the Fast 50: The World’s Most Innovative Companies and of the 50 companies referenced, 33 of them are new to the list this year.

I wonder what the world would be like if we all strived to be on that list next year. I have a feeling we would be in a much better position than we are now.

Innovation starts on a very microscopic level. It starts with you and me. All it takes is one idea to change the world.

Let’s stop limiting ourselves and truly stretch our creative wings. If you are a small business that encourages and fosters innovation and creativity, congratulations and keep it up. If you aren’t, it’s never too late to start.

As Gandhi wisely said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”