Any you can become an inventor; he doesn’t need any special training or an advanced college degree. Here is a simple process that has been used repeatedly to create inventions.

identify a problem

Many inventions solve a problem or inefficiency with existing products or services. So one approach to inventing is to identify a problem and develop a solution to that problem. There are dozens of methods to identify problems; several are discussed below.

What are people complaining about?

Hear what your friends, family and co-workers are complaining about. When someone says, “I wish there was a way…” or “Why wouldn’t someone…”, listen carefully and make a note of their complaint.

Study News Topics

News sources (newspapers, magazines, TV news, etc.) report problems every day. Current issues that regularly appear in the news include vehicle safety issues, health issues, children’s toy safety, foreclosures, and more. Find a problem that interests you and start thinking of solutions.

changing industries

Study industries that are changing and identify problems or obstacles regarding that change. For example, many companies are moving or expanding their business to the Internet. What problems do those companies face when “going online”? Look for solutions to those problems.

New Regulation

Another source of problems is new regulations, such as new vehicle safety regulations or other product/service safety regulations. These new regulations may require new inventions to effectively implement the regulation.

Develop a solution

Once you’ve identified a problem, start thinking about a solution to the problem. When developing solutions for a particular problem, look for the root cause of the problem and think of ways to address that root cause. Also, look at existing solutions to the problem; those solutions can give you new ideas. You may be able to improve an existing solution.

Be patient

Developing a solution to a problem can take time. Be patient and let your mind work on the problem. I often think about the problems I am working on when I first wake up and my mind is fresh. I don’t usually think of a solution at the time, but I often start coming up with ideas for solutions within a few days. I don’t know exactly how it works, but it works for me. I also use various brainstorming techniques and master techniques to solve problems and create inventions.

Becoming an inventor can be very rewarding, and it’s probably easier than you think.