Why Didn’t I Think of That?

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Have you ever noticed how most truly original ideas feel obvious only after someone else points them out? It's like that moment when a friend shares a brilliant solution to a problem you've struggled with forever, and suddenly you think, "Why didn't I see this myself?" So here's a question worth asking: why is inventive thinking so rare if, once revealed, it seems so straightforward?

Is originality really about coming up with something completely new, or could it be about seeing clearly what's hidden right in front of us?

Maybe the reason inventive ideas feel surprising is precisely because we're trained not to see them. Think about your job, your school, your daily routine. How often are you encouraged to question basic assumptions? When was the last time your boss praised you for challenging a standard procedure rather than following it perfectly?

Take meetings, for instance. Why do we still hold so many meetings face-to-face? Is it because that's always how it's been done, or is there an assumption hidden beneath—perhaps that direct interaction is inherently more productive? But what if that's wrong? What if virtual meetings, done right, aren't just convenient but better in fostering more thoughtful, balanced contributions?

Let's peel this back further. Consider the assumption: physical proximity equals better communication. Does it? Sure, it's comforting to see faces directly, read body language, and sense the room's energy. But does that comfort mask inefficiencies? Could the awkward pauses and forced small talk in traditional meetings actually suppress candid conversations?

If we rigorously question this assumption, we might discover something surprising: virtual meetings could, paradoxically, feel more authentic. Participants might feel freer to speak honestly when separated by a screen, precisely because they're not constantly navigating the subtle social pressures of physical presence.

Inventive thinking isn't always grandiose; sometimes it's just realizing the subtle ways our daily routines deceive us.

But how can you practically become someone who regularly has inventive insights? Here's something concrete to try tomorrow: take one assumption you're making about your work or routine—something simple like "commuting is inevitable," "this task can't be automated," or "clients need regular check-in calls." Now, challenge yourself by asking repeatedly, "Why do I believe this? Is it universally true? What if the opposite were true?" Force yourself to entertain an alternate reality seriously.

What happens when you do this daily, systematically? You start training your brain to question its own shortcuts. And one day, you'll have an insight that surprises even yourself, precisely because it was hidden in plain sight all along.

Here's the surprising truth most people miss: original thinkers aren't necessarily smarter or more talented—they've simply cultivated a habit of questioning things everyone else accepts. The gap between ordinary and inventive thinking isn't a vast intellectual chasm; it's merely the difference between passive acceptance and active curiosity.

So, the next time you're faced with a seemingly obvious fact, pause and ask yourself: "What if this obvious thing isn't obvious at all?" It may feel uncomfortable initially. It might seem ridiculous. But it's exactly this discomfort, this willingness to look foolish by questioning the unquestionable, that unlocks truly inventive thinking.

In a world where nearly everything seems already discovered, perhaps the most surprising insight is simply realizing how much remains unseen—not because it's hidden, but precisely because it's right there, waiting patiently for someone brave enough to question why we never noticed it before.

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