You don’t need to invent just create magic

As engineers and product builders, it’s tempting to think that creating something groundbreaking requires starting from scratch. We want to rebuild systems, develop new technologies, and solve every technical challenge to gain an edge. And yes, creating new technology is important—it pushes boundaries and opens new possibilities. But it’s not always the right answer.

Sometimes, focusing on what already exists and building something meaningful from it is the smarter path.

Being the first mover is great, but solving real problems is what truly matters. Instead of inventing everything from scratch, we should focus on what we already have. Repackage what’s available, connect the dots, and build innovative solutions without reinventing the wheel.

For example, Apple’s original iPhone didn’t invent the touchscreen or the internet. Instead, it combined existing technologies in a way that felt seamless and delightful to users.

As engineers, it’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of building something completely new. But innovation isn’t just about invention—it’s about solving problems in a way that feels effortless to the user.

There are so many smarter people already improving technology. Let them do that. The technology will improve over time. What we, as engineers and product builders, need to do is focus on creating experiences that feel intuitive and valuable.

Think of WhatsApp in its early days. It thrived because it focused on doing one thing—messaging—better than anyone else. Its simplicity and reliability made it stand out.

A product doesn’t need to be fancy or complicated to create magic. It just needs to do what it’s supposed to do in a simple and efficient way. If we can make that happen, we can truly build something special.

Too often, we lose sight of the bigger mission. We focus on solving specific engineering problems, even when a workaround or smaller feature would do the job.

Sometimes, we spend time chasing an unnecessary feature or a tiny performance improvement that doesn’t add real value. For instance, shaving a few milliseconds off a feature might seem important to us, but it’s rarely noticeable to users or critical to the product’s success.

The key is to focus on solving problems that matter. Creating new technology is important when it’s necessary, but knowing when to prioritize simplicity and efficiency is just as crucial. Make the product the best it can be for the user. Good enough is often good enough when it delivers what the user truly needs.

You don’t need to invent everything to succeed. Look at the tools and resources you already have and use them creatively. Build something that solves real problems and works so well it delights users. When we focus on simplicity and efficiency, we can create magic—and that’s what really matters.