Honestly I am not sure if this fortune begs discussing the virtues of commercializing our creativity versus keeping personal projects private, or whether or not we believe in our ideas, or what. But I do think it is a good followup to my discussion on overcoming self doubt.
Whenever I have an idea for a creative project or business idea, my typically next move is to start shooting holes in it. A sort of mental risk management. If you're anything like me, you're attracted to the sure thing. I love knowing all my ducks are in a row. It feels safer that way, right?
And again, if you're anything like me, your next step is to ask all your family and friends and coworkers what they think of your idea. More holes.
Before you know it, your grand idea looks like Bonnie and Clyde's 1934 Ford sedan after the police worked it over with their Browning Automatic Rifles (BAR).
Nothing left to do but throw it on the scrap heap and start over.
We've all done this, right? Be honest.
But the truth is our focus group is too small. We cut our ideas short before we let them gain any traction in the real world. Because chances are, if we think an idea is cool or noteworthy, the odds are in our favor that there are hundreds, or thousands, or perhaps even millions, of people out there who think it is cool too.
Don't kill off your dreams prematurely because you haven't yet figured out the logistics of making it happen. Focus on why you're doing it, not what, when and how. Those things will work themselves out naturally and you move along.
Follow your ideas. They're good ideas. Somebody somewhere will accept them—even if you don't initially.
To your good fortune!
