Learning from the book (Chap – 1, 2, 3)

Running Head: INNOVATION TO ENGINEERING 1
Innovation to engineering

INNOVATION TO ENGINEERING 2
Report 1
Learning from the book (Chap – 1, 2, 3)
In this part of the book, I learnt about the first three chapters which were regarding the
epiphany myth, the myth of the fact that we know history and the myth of method. I was able to
learn that there have been many epiphanies experienced by people which came to an end after
long term failure. I recalled that we all love insight flash stories which dominate the reporting of
our creativity. I was surprised to know from the book that certainty illusions are projected by
stories of epiphany as they are usually related to triumphant ideas. One of the important aspects
of life which I learnt was that the past is often romanticized by us for fitting into the present
(Berkun, 2007). As such, our creativity gets trapped since we are unaware of the chaotic history
of our on field. Another key fact provided by the author is that in a marketplace, one of the
biggest challenges with creative work is the number of factors which are usually beyond our
control. A shocking yet obvious revelation made by the author was that big promises are made
by most books about creativity on the basis of history (Berkun, 2007). Instances from the past are
picked by them which are then claimed to be predictive. As such, terms like innovation pipeline
and system become ridiculous.
Application in real life
From the first three chapters of this book, I learnt that epiphanies are not only an
inspiration for effort but also an outcome of the same effort (Berkun, 2007). Some questions
which arose in my mind were the amount of time spent by the creator in working before a flash
of insight takes place, and the amount of work done by them afterwards for making the idea
successful. In future, while converting an idea into innovation, I would keep in mind that would

INNOVATION TO ENGINEERING 3
need to invest time, make prototypes, face rejection and find investors without having the
guarantee of succeeding. I would need to use ancient tactics for changing the present. Finding a
great idea in my own field and working hard on it would help me largely in my daily life. I was
able to gain an insight that I would need to use certain methods which are useful and at the same
time would accept that the past and the present are different (Berkun, 2007). I would emphasize
more upon using ideas of innovation portfolio; as such ideas would be more honest because they
would assume a range of risks. I would also keep in mind not to use creativity related books
which are unreal and uncreative.