Research. Be Creative. Adapt. Be Smart.
Win!
Learn What to do When You Win.
One of the paradoxes of creativity is that in order to think originally, we must first familiarize ourselves with the ideas of others. Thomas Edison put it this way, "Make it a habit to keep on the lookout for novel and interesting ideas that others may have used successfully. Your idea needs to be original only in its adaption to the problem you were working on."
So understand what problems you face and why you face them, that is the research you must engage in to have a clear picture of what you need to adapt. Adaption is a common and inescapable practice in creativity.
Here are 10 things you should be asking yourself and have answers to.
What else is like this?
What other ideas does this suggest?
Does the past offer a parallel?
What could I copy?
Whom could I emulate?
What idea could I incorporate?
What other process could be adapted?
What else could be adapted?
What different contexts can I put my concepts in?
What ideas outside my field can I incorporate?
Remember. When you place things in different contexts and situations, your imagination can stimulate new ideas.
Seriously, if think you're going to pull up to the casino, walk in, buy-in with your money, play-point at the score board and follow others, win, then walk out each time or the majority of them with profit, you are so far from reality you might as well plan on going to the moon in a couple of weeks!!!
Seriously!