What’s the most ridiculous thing about your industry? Something you’ve always found slow, silly or senseless? The thing that makes you frown and say, ‘There must be a better way’?

These areas represent some of the most productive real-world prompts for innovators. Frustrations of this nature are pure gold to this who will pause and pay attention, dwell on them, and dream of alternatives.

There is always a better way to accomplish a necessary outcome. Just because it isn’t the case yet, doesn’t mean it can’t be. What if you championed that new way forward, whether that means simpler, faster, more direct, or of a different quality?

Sometimes the person who faces the frustration head on, and spends a little more time than others just thinking of a better way, becomes the innovating industry leader.

Dwell on the downside. Ask what might be better. Champion it when no one else does, and you could own your industry.

Douglas Kruger is a bestselling author with Penguin, and a global professional speaker. Meet him at www.douglaskruger.com.