[not_your_vase]

In my experience this works only if you are working on something that you are passionate about, or at least something that you use every day (not because you are forced to, but because you want to). That way, when you have some personal interest in it, it is kind of natural to recognize the shortcomings of the current state, and make improvements. If your current place doesn't offer such challenges, maybe it would worth thinking if there would be any other product that you'd prefer more working on.

Personally I could never make any meaningful improvement over any enterprise financial offering, but for example give me a personal music player to work on, and will make the best of it in the galaxy, even without any guidance...