Last week, I sat down in my office with several members of my team and we began doing a brain dump of all the great ideas for sites, services and products that we had.
We filled my fairly-large whiteboard in no time at all.
The fact of the matter is that we have more ideas than we have time or manpower to accomplish!
But ideas are not exactly in short supply, are they?
There are good ideas. There are bad ideas. And there are some ideas they may be walking a fine line between good and bad.
Ideas, my friends, are a dime a dozen.
So what makes the difference in whether or not an idea really matters?
It's all in the execution.
I'll take one great business plan that has gone beyond concept and is being executed over a dozen great ideas that could potentially make millions.
Some people think ideas are their own are valuable.
Ocassionally there will be a killer idea that has value just on the basis its sheer, inspired brilliance.
But the hard truth most people don't want to hear is that ideas aren't worth squat if you don't bring them to life.
I'm not saying you should give your ideas away. It's always a good thing to write down your ideas and protect them from theft.
Here's something that amazes me.
There are websites where people are encouraged to publicly post their great ideas.
Think about that.
Publicly. Posting. Great. Ideas.
If that doesn't invite theft, I can't imagine what does!
Don't post your ideas where any Tom, Dick or Mary can make off with it and leave you in the dust. It's not smart.
But don't put your ideas on the shelf either.
My team and I evaluate all the ideas we write on the whiteboard and decide which will see the light of day.
These ideas will then blossom into full-blown development and become real sites, products and/or services.
It's only then that they really matter. Only then will they generate revenue, change a life or entertain.
The rest of the ideas will stay in the background until such a time that they are deemed worthy to be developed.
I encourage you to think big, but remember that it is only your action that will bring your idea to life.
And that is where most people fail.
What's your big idea?
Don't post it here!
But I do encourage you to leave me comments, so please post them below.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
February 18, 2008 12:13 AM
Nice post. I couldn't agree more. I'm pretty guarded my ideas ideas, and would advise others to do the same... that is unless a person never plans on acting on those ideas... but thats another story.
Jason
JasonCounts.Com
February 18, 2008 06:55 AM
Hey Joel
Like you say, ideas are a great thing but it's when they bring in the $$ that they really become valuable.
Most people won't struggle coming up with plenty of ideas but will struggle in getting them implemented... it's all down to the time factor!
Too many ideas, such little time!!
It can actually be stressful thinking which idea should I go with first... Maybe you could provide some pointers other than the obvious - which will produce the bigger $$$ - because often that idea takes the longest to implement.
Cheers
Ian
http://www.Ian-McConnell.com/
February 18, 2008 07:23 AM
I noticed one key to your big idea planning session -- you have a team. My first response was to think to myself "I don't have a team to help brainstorm ideas."
But the truth is that while most of us do not have a team totally committed to our success, there are hundreds of team members across the internet world who are idea brainstormers and they are found on various forums all over the web.
Not quite the same as having your own team committed only to you but nonetheless a potential source of creative help.
February 18, 2008 07:39 AM
Hey Joel,
First of all great blog and I love the topic...lol Ive just been up all night working on several ideas with my business partner Daniel Arzuaga. It is amazing to see how in fact there ARE many ideas and so FEW get implemented.
ACTION!!! ACTION!! ACTION!!
Thats the BIG SECRET there is really no other secret to success than that one... Me and my cousin struggled to get our graphics company off the ground for 2 months knowing we had the skills but it was people like you who told us to take action and present ourselves personally and take ACTION to get clients and move to bigger steps in LIFE!
Im not big on blogging because i find soo few that our worth my time or peak my interest actually... but since i figured its a nice blog design (shameless plug lol) and quite honestly the times i have met you i have gotten HUGE insight and hope into my future. It HAS motivated me to keep on taking action and making moves in my business and my life...
WHATS THE BIG IDEA?
some say that all the good ideas have been taken...yet we still see revolutionary sites pop up and shock us all year after year and even offline stuff as well... You see its not that everything has been thought of yet... its that the people who brought them to life are still making them better not just sitting back and doing nothing about it..
I was looking at a video from Steve Jobs and Bill Gates the other day on youtube, they were talking about how the future is such a vast place and the reason they succeeded in getting things done in their companies and outweighing the competition was because they LOVED what they were doing and did it BEST...
ACTION!!! Thats the BIG IDEA!!!
February 18, 2008 08:11 AM
Great insight Joel. First off, in response to the first post, you don't need a team and generally don't start with a team. That comes with growth and efficiency. Everyone has ideas. You can train to unleash ideas and come up with "tools" to help you do so.
I have been ripped off and others have profited on my ideas so I know what you are saying is true. Learning every day!
February 18, 2008 09:19 AM
Yeah...sometimes there are too much of ideas come out from my mind.
I will take down all the ideas into my little notepad. so called " Big Idea Book".
During free time, I will go through my notepad and look for the possibility to apply into my current online business.
I'm also using mind-mapping to figure out some of the best ideas to transform idea into Action Plan.
Thanks Joel's sharing.
February 18, 2008 10:22 AM
Great post Joel. I have struggled with having too many "good" ideas and not getting the action plan and implementation done. And yes, I have had a few ideas stolen as well.
By the way nice blog layout! Great job by Daniel and Robert.
(no they did not put me up to that ;0 )
February 18, 2008 11:13 AM
Speaking of keeping ideas private!! My problem is no one wants to sign an NDA (non disclosure agreement) before we talk. Kind of hard for a newbie to get started if the big boys refuse to sign.
I need a joint venture partner. I have 36 hours left and then my product will be taken by someone else. That's my agreement with the manufacturer of THE NEXT GREAT MULTIMILLION DOLLAR Sports launch. I have 5 NBA All stars and a few NFL pro Bowlers who have recorded video testimonials.I purchased The Next Internet Millionare Home Study course and the BackRoom Secrets and am now looking to close my first mega million dollar launch! I NEED A JV PARTNER IN A HURRY!
February 18, 2008 12:00 PM
The post is really great because it is multi-layered in the insights as well as the advice.
Of course it does no no good to think up a bunch of things and never do anything with them. But fearing the action or a failure is more crippling than the failure itself.
And of course, it is like the buyer beware phrase. Really think about where and with whom you talk about your ideas etc.. Even some seemingly innocuous places may not be who or what you really perceive them to be.
However, the world is full of medicore ideas and products that were launched, postitioned and marketed very successfully. Those items never fail to amaze me.
Thanks for the thoughts, Joel.
February 18, 2008 01:16 PM
It's hard to argue with what you put here, Joel :) It all makes perfect sense. But I can remember times when such thinking did not amke any sense to me, though - and I'm glad I changed since :D
Misha
February 18, 2008 03:06 PM
I agree with basic need for action for something to happen to any idea.How can anyone disagree with that, except perhaps 'The Secret" fanatics who refuse to underline the imperative to take action on our thoughts for something to happen. Sure everything starts with that idea but NO universal law out there will come out and miraculous give life to that idea without serious actions, right actions, sustained actions from right parties.
I would like to add something that I believe is very relevant for those seeking JV partners. We, seeking success in entrepreneurship need to take into consideration that while we all share this strong entrepreneurship bent, we however come in with different personalities and abilities: There are those of us who are genius at coming up with that killer idea, can envision how the world or life would be better with this product/service, etc... But they do not have the faintest idea on how to implement it. It behooves them to partner or seek those genius at implementation. Then when things are successfully implemented, the business needs to be sustained. Some implementers quickly lose interest and want o move on after successful implementation, thus those excellent at support or further growth building are gold partners to seek. We'd all agree that the above would all go to nothing if the business ends up dying or killed because it cannot scale or due to lack of support or customer care. All the above need to be jelled together and need to continue to work as a whole/team under a competent leadership/management. This leaders are not necessarily the visionary or idea generators nor the implementors nor the support people. Rather they are the ones who can command respect and inspire all the team members to own their respective responsibilities and care enough for the company to continue to do all their parts. Ideas and actions are not enough. Right ideas and sustained actions contributed by or from right parties are as important. I know of many who ended up just spinning wheels because of wrong implementation strategies. If you are a solopreneur who is gifted at being able to perform with/under different hats at the same time - CONGRATULATIONS. For less gifted entrepreneurs like myself, part of the action I am taking is looking to partner with the right people who can contribute in different ways including with the right actions.
"Don't Just Stand There Thinking; At Least Do Something!"
mafd
February 18, 2008 04:27 PM
Great tip.
You cover many topics in one short entry:
1. Mastermind group - All successful people surround themselves with people who shere same focus. Sometimes the master mind group could consist of just you and your spouse. Either way, get in one!
2. Write it down - Most people never write down their thoughts or goals. Those who write it down, have a 90% success rate in getting their goals.
3. Ideas become action - Bill Gates was asked about the secret to his success. Not to go into everyone, but, number 1 was that he said he took massive action with his ideas. If we do something everyday to take us towards our goal, we will be so much better 1 year from now.
Joel, thanks for providing valuable information and insight into your success machine.
February 18, 2008 05:26 PM
Ideas are great , but only ideas that jingle ( get in revenues ) shoudl be considered.
February 19, 2008 01:02 AM
Thanks
February 21, 2008 12:28 AM
Hi Joel,
I'm one of those twerps who has had so many good ideas and not followed through with the actions because I've let 'My Work' take precedence.
Several years down the line my friends are always saying "weren't you going to do that some years ago?"
Story of my life. Hmmmmm. MeThinks.....is it too late now?
Thanks for the prompt,
Pete.
March 3, 2008 07:51 AM
Hi Joel
I just love your blogs!! You have a way of getting me to think better ideas and to take more action.
Keep it up.
Christo
March 5, 2008 04:16 AM
Ideas become old. Inspired ideas become old code. Old inspired code becomes a pain in the ass. And an old pain in the ass is precisely what makes the perfect opportunity.
Ideas take many forms..
And me, well I bank on it :)
Cheers,
JL.
June 24, 2009 11:52 AM
Joel:
Great informative post. Have you talked about how your ideas make it to the next step. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts on making your ideas come to life!
Rick
July 28, 2009 03:17 PM
I write down my ideas everyday, basically, ideas are goals that are unmet. You have to write down your goals and take action to reach them. Reach one and there will always be another to take its place.
You say 'take action"
I say "do what you love, the money will follow"
combined: take action + doing what you love = bringing those great ideas to life!
inspiring blog...thanks!