Inventors don’t just stumble upon ideas—they train their minds to see them. Spotting problems worth solving is less about genius and more about perspective. The key is learning to see the world not as it is, but as it could be. That means questioning everyday routines, noticing small inefficiencies, and paying attention to things that most people ignore.
Invention starts with curiosity. It’s about asking, “Why does this have to be so hard?” or “What if there were a better way?” Most of the best innovations I’ve worked on came from questions like these—not complex equations or fancy labs, but from noticing the little friction points in daily life.
Start by Listening
Before any solution comes into play, the most important thing is to listen. Great inventors are great listeners. They watch how people live, where they struggle, and what systems slow them down. They hear the complaints, the frustrations, the “this always happens” or “I wish this were easier” comments.
When I’m looking for new ideas, I don’t start by brainstorming products—I start by paying attention. Sometimes the smallest comment during a conversation can spark a whole project. The job is to stay open and not assume you already know what the problem is. People will tell you what they need if you’re willing to truly hear them.
Friction Is a Clue
One of the biggest signals that something needs fixing is friction. That moment of frustration when a process takes too long, or when someone stumbles through something that should be simple. In the world of innovation, friction isn’t just a nuisance—it’s a red flag. It’s a sign that there’s a better way waiting to be discovered.
Personally, I keep a running list of friction points I notice in daily life. It could be a checkout process that takes too long, or a tool that’s harder to use than it should be. I jot it down, even if I don’t have an immediate fix. Over time, patterns emerge. And once you start seeing these patterns, the opportunity to invent becomes clear.
From Personal Frustration to Public Solution
Not every annoying experience is worth turning into a product. One of the filters I use is asking, “Does this problem affect more than just me?” When an issue is part of a broader challenge—something many people experience—that’s when I know it might be worth pursuing.
There’s a sweet spot between personal insight and shared need. When you find a problem that resonates with others, and you understand it deeply because you’ve lived it too, you’re in a unique position to solve it.
This has guided my work in companies like CDI, where we look at how innovation can tackle big-picture issues—whether that’s energy, infrastructure, or access. The goal is always to take something frustrating or outdated and reimagine it in a way that serves more people, more effectively.
Keep It Simple
Complexity isn’t impressive—it’s a sign that the problem hasn’t been fully solved yet. The best inventions are the ones that make people say, “Why didn’t someone think of this before?”
In my experience, if an idea needs a long explanation, it’s probably not ready yet. I focus on solutions that blend into people’s lives, that don’t require them to change too much or learn something new. That’s where innovation really sticks—not in the groundbreaking technology, but in the way it makes life simpler.
Feedback is Everything
Ideas don’t get better in isolation. Once you think you’ve spotted a problem and started working on a solution, it’s time to bring in other voices. Feedback helps you sharpen your idea, spot blind spots, and refine the concept.
I never assume I have it all figured out. I’ll run my ideas by mentors, customers, skeptics—anyone who can help me see it from a new angle. The goal isn’t to protect the idea; it’s to make it stronger. Even criticism is useful—it’s a clue to where the idea still needs work.
Make Time for Innovation
Creativity isn’t lightning—it’s a habit. Some of the best inventors I know make time every day to think, observe, and ask questions. I try to do the same. Whether I’m traveling, in a meeting, or reading the news, I’m looking for those little signals: What’s broken? What’s inefficient? What could be done better?
Cole Peacock has often said that staying curious is like staying in shape—you have to exercise the muscle. Keeping a notepad handy, carving out time to sketch or research, and staying connected to people from different industries are all part of staying sharp.
The Smallest Problems Can Lead to the Biggest Ideas
Sometimes the greatest innovations come from things that seem trivial at first. A frustrating morning routine. A clunky app interface. A missing feature that could save hours. These everyday issues might not seem like much, but they hold the seeds of transformation.
The trick is to care enough to look closely—and to act. That’s the difference between someone who notices a problem and someone who solves it. Cole Peacock has built much of his work around that principle: don’t just complain, create.
Innovation Starts With Attention
Invention isn’t reserved for a select few. Anyone who’s willing to observe, ask questions, and experiment has the potential to create meaningful change. It doesn’t take genius—it takes patience, humility, and a bit of courage.
The next big idea might be sitting right in front of you—wrapped up in an everyday frustration you’ve learned to live with. But if you start looking with the eyes of an inventor, you’ll see those problems as opportunities.
That’s the first step. And often, it’s the most important one.