Everyone has wondered at some point about how to create something original. Those thoughts usually happen when you discover something truly original that someone else thought of. Earlier this year I attended the AMA Supercross motorcycle races in Seattle. It was quite the event. The dirt bikes were loud and fast and the pyrotechnics even created a dark cloud that confused many Seattleites.

While watching the first race, I noticed a bright green light on one of the bikes. The light indicated that that driver was leading the race, and each bike had the same light, so it switched if one bike overtook another for the lead. What a genius idea! Someone noticed that many fans have a hard time keeping track of the leader and figured out how to create something original to solve the problem. Now it is easy to see which bike is in first place.

Solving a problem by creating something original

Most original creations are born from a problem that needs to be solved. This is not new information. Take one look at the job descriptions listed on Indeed or ZipRecruiter and the company that is hiring almost always describes how they use technology to solve a problem.

People have been inventing things to solve problems for centuries. They come up with original ideas by having to overcome an obstacle. So does that mean that you have to be knowledgable about a subject to create an original idea related to it? It definitely helps but original creations come in all shapes and sizes.

Original ideas can also be an existing idea applied in a new context. Breweries exist all over the country, but they are prevalent in some areas and non-existent in others. Seattle is filled with breweries so it would certainly not be an original idea to open up a brewery there. But what about a small town like Sedro-Wooley, WA? Filling an unmet need (lack of delicious craft beer in Sedro-Wooley, WA) with an existing product (craft beer produced by an on-site brewery) is an original idea.

I am not saying anything original here. You already know this. My point is originality comes in so many ways that you already do original things all the time.

Do something original today

I try to learn something new every day. I want to continually grow and develop as a professional and a person. On Sundays I usually lay out my job hunting strategy for the week, and I try to include some sort of training as part of my weekly activities. There are lots of training opportunities available online, much of which is free. YouTube has videos on every conceivable topic, but I prefer LinkedIn Learning for educational content.

For example, today I watched a tutorial video on how to use Canva, a popular graphic design platform. I’ve noticed that many job listings mention Canva as a desirable qualification, so I want to try it out. LinkedIn Learning is a great way to get a quick introduction to a design tool like Canva. Once I learn more about Canva I can sign up for an account and test it out. If you don’t have LinkedIn Premium, which includes LinkedIn Learning, there are other resources available, including MasterClass, Udemy, Coursera, and Kahn Academy.

Is watching a tutorial video on an online tool doing something original? No, but it can lead to an original creation. When I used LinkedIn Learning to learn about Adobe Express, I used it to create my company logo, which is an original design. By getting educated on a new topic, you can do something original.

Creating something original is hard

Coming up with an original idea that no one else has thought of is extremely hard, but it can be done. How? There is no handbook to follow. Those who create original content are inspired by every day things. Songwriters find original ideas by examining their own lives and observing things around them. Same with screenplay writers.

Entrepreneurs often create a new product or service by adding on to an existing product. For example, someone who created an extension for WordPress (Yoast SEO, etc.) didn’t invent WordPress but did find a function that WordPress couldn’t perform and developed a solution to the problem. A brewery owner didn’t invent the brewery model but did open up a new business in a new market that didn’t have a brewery. Both are original ideas created by someone who found an unmet need.

How I create something original

This here blog is my outlet to create something original. One of the reasons I like to write as a hobby is that it is a way to say something in a new way. All my content is original. I can honestly say that I’ve never used AI to create content for my blog (aside from my experience using AI to optimize my resume). That may not seem like a big deal because everyone is using AI these days, but it’s important to me to create original content.

As I have developed as a writer, I have learned that the content I create doesn’t have to be revelatory or life-changing. It just has to be true, interesting (to me), and original. I can usually get 2-3 nuggets of insight from a blog post, and that is enough for me. If someone reads the content I write and learns something new, I feel great. But honestly, I don’t write this blog for other people. Good thing, because not many people read it :). I write it for me! Creating original content makes me feel good and I feel productive putting my thoughts on page. It’s like a repository for things I want to talk about.

Other ways to create something original

Most people have outlets to express themselves and create something original. In addition to writing, I have taken up woodworking. My brother and dad are very good at woodworking and have taught me a few things, but I mostly do my projects on my own, asking them for advice when I get stuck. I have created several tables and benches, and while none of them will be confused for a piece sold at Crate & Barrel, I am very proud that I created something original using just my hands.

Not everyone has the space in their house to work with wood, or even the desire to do so. But anyone can draw! Just get a pencil and piece of paper and draw something. Sometimes we have family drawing time, where my wife, son, and I sit down for an hour and draw something. It’s a very fun way to express ourselves creatively, and it is so simple to do. If you’re bored one day and can’t find anything on Netflix, try drawing. You might be surprised with the results and how you feel after creating something original.

Final thoughts on creating something original

Everyone has created many original things throughout their lives. Of course, not everyone has invented a product or written a song or book. Originality comes in many forms, and original thoughts don’t have to be earth-shattering. “Sunday night is a sad resignation” is one of my favorite original thoughts. I wish I could come up with pithy metaphors like that one more than once a year or so. But I’ve also written many lines that didn’t seem like much to me but were taken as insightful and interesting by someone else. The point is that we all have something original to say, so don’t let perfection get in the way of progress, to borrow someone else’s insightful metaphor.

Challenge yourself to do something original today. This blog post was my original creation of the day, but tomorrow I will be looking for a new way to create something new. Just like I try to learn something new every day, I also try to do something original every day. Get out there and be creative!