Have you ever used your imagination effectively to figure out a solution to a problem? Maybe it was a quick fix to stop a leaky faucet. Or how best to remove a small, irritatingly painful piece of splinter lodged in a finger. Okay, those are random and somewhat personal examples. Still, if you did something like this, you were using what we commonly refer to as ingenuity.

Ingenuity is a word we rarely hear but literally rely on daily, and you may wonder how so?

A good start to understanding "how so" is to consider the meaning of the word. Merriam-Websters Dictionary describes ingenuity as a skillful and clever invention. So, we connect ingenuity to inventiveness, which relates to a product of the imagination and or to design. Our daily reliance on inventions like cars and smartphones is thanks to the ingenuity of their creators.

We can use ingenuity in our own lives too. Think of the ways ingenuity can solve problems in our personal lives, our communities, and the world. Even now, people are working to conserve energy and improve education globally. The wonderful thing is you can too if you so desire.

Earlier, I mentioned cars and smart phones. These things are now very common. However, at one point, they considered the new thing. And since there will always be a need for change, ingenuity can create new products, new services, and new ways of doing stuff. And we will always need new things!

To foster ingenuity, make it a point to be more creative. Because when we are creative, we are more likely to come up with new and innovative solutions to problems which can help to improve our lives.

Though there are many, here are 4 specific ways we can put ingenuity to work in our lives right now:

Be open to new ideas: One of the best ways to use ingenuity is to be open to new ideas. This means being willing to think creatively and to consider different perspectives.

Be persistent: Ingenuity may require persistence. This means not giving up when faced with challenges and continuing to work on a problem until it is solved.

Be collaborative: We can often achieve ingenuity through collaboration. This means working with others to share ideas and to build on each other's strengths.

Take risks: Ingenuity often requires taking risks. This means being willing to try new things and to fail. However, failure is often a necessary part of the learning process.

The future is full of possibilities, and it is up to us to use our ingenuity to shape it. Let's all challenge ourselves to think creatively and come up with new solutions to the problems we face.

Think about it: What problems can you solve with your own ingenuity? What new products or services can you create? How can you enrich your own life and the lives of others?

Opportunities for change are boundless, so go out and use your ingenuity to change the world!