"スタートアップのアイデアを得る方法は、スタートアップのアイデアを考えようとすることではありません。自分自身が抱える問題を探すことです。"

If you're looking for startup ideas, don't just sit around brainstorming. Instead, focus on finding problems that need solving—ideally, problems you've encountered yourself. This way, you know firsthand what needs fixing and why it's worth doing.

This approach is rooted in practicality. When Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator, shared this insight, it was during a period of significant growth in the startup world. He saw countless entrepreneurs struggling with the same issue: they were trying to come up with ideas out of thin air. Graham's advice came from observing that the most successful startups often emerged from a founder's personal experience with a specific problem.

Let me give you a real-life example. Think about Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, the founders of Airbnb. They didn't start with the idea of reinventing the travel industry. Instead, they were just trying to pay rent. With a big design conference in town and no available hotel rooms, they saw a problem: visitors needed a place to stay. By renting out air mattresses in their living room, they solved their immediate problem and stumbled upon a massive market need.

So, how can you apply this wisdom in your own entrepreneurial journey? Start by digging into your daily life. What frustrates you? What makes you say, "There has to be a better way?" Write these things down. Don't worry if they seem small or insignificant at first. Sometimes the simplest problems have the most significant impact. And who knows? The solution to your minor annoyance could be the next big thing.

Imagine you're a coffee lover who finds it a hassle to get the perfect cup each morning. You love high-quality coffee, but traditional home machines either don't cut it, or they take too much time. So, you start tinkering with ways to make the process easier. You experiment, maybe even build a prototype of a device that streamlines the process. This small problem—getting a great cup of coffee quickly—could turn into a fantastic product. Why? Because if you have this issue, surely others do too.

To really bring this home, let’s consider a story. Picture Sarah, a busy mom juggling work and family life. She loves cooking healthy meals for her kids, but the prep time is killing her schedule. One day, she notices how much time she spends chopping vegetables. It’s a small part of her day, but it’s a constant source of frustration. Instead of just dealing with it, she starts experimenting with ways to make it faster. Maybe she creates a new type of kitchen gadget that chops veggies quickly and safely. Sarah didn't set out to invent something new; she just wanted to solve a problem she faced every day.

This method feels more natural because it’s tied to real-life experiences. It's not about forcing creativity; it’s about being observant and empathetic. So next time you're stuck looking for that big idea, don't. Instead, look for what’s broken in your world and think about how to fix it. You might just find that the best ideas are the ones that come from your own life.