We’ve all experienced many ‘light-bulb’ moments in our lives, whenever we think of random, exciting ideas. These ideas occur to us when we least expect. For eg., it can be when we’re in a meeting, in the loo, while petting a dog or walking on the road. When the idea hits us, we brim with enthusiasm and start wondering how awesome it’d be if it works out.
But here are two common blind spots we must be aware of before getting carried away with our idea:
- Not thinking of the desired outcome. If you’ve got a great idea but have no clue what you’re expecting from it, how’d you measure its success? How’d you convince your colleagues/friends that the idea is worth pursuing? Be clear about the problem you’re trying to solve with your idea, along with the desired outcome.
For eg., let’s say you want to open a pet-friendly cafe. You envision what it should look like – beautiful interiors, a lawn, a play area for the pets, etc. You could feel your heartbeat because the imagination is exciting. But before you sell your idea to your friends, highlighting its unique features, you should be asking yourself,
- What’s the problem I’m trying to solve?
- How’s my idea solving it better?
- What is my desired outcome?
It’s definitely not just about opening a cafe but having an impact. Be clear about it.
2. Forgetting that execution is everything. As Derek Sivers says, “Ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.”
There’s no point in being proud of your idea if you can’t bring it to life. (Imagine your ideas screaming “Bring me to life” Amy Lee style)
So the next time you come up with an idea, be it in the middle of the night or when you’re in a meeting,
- Write it down, or if your phone is accessible, use a note-taking app like Evernote
- Revisit the idea to reflect on the outcome you’re expecting from it
- Discuss it with a friend or a colleague to gain perspectives
- If it’s something that can be executed sooner with minimal effort, act on your impulse
- If not, plan the first step. Set reminders to work on it
- Finally, make sure you’ve people that can follow up with you on its progress. It can be your friends or colleagues. Doing this helps drive commitment. 🤡
Akkshaya Varkhedi 