I was checking the daily post at WordPress (They are posting ideas to motivate people to write daily or weekly) to find a topic to write about. With so many topics to choose, I picked randomly:
“What is the smallest thing near you? Write a paragraph about it.”
The smallest thing I had in my hand was a paperclip. So I just look to the paperclip and I thought what’s so great about a paper clip that I can get an idea to write a post about it? It took me a bit to come up with it.
“Paper clip was a really simple and brilliant idea made by somebody many years ago”
Can I write something about this?
Well, that reminded me of an old draft I started writing months ago.
Even the tiniest idea can have a huge impact in the lives of millions of people. Heck, if you have an idea and it makes an impact even on a handful of people I think it worth the effort to pursue it.
All the ideas have a chance to be really great. The problem is, that people don’t follow through the process of making it happen.
Most of people never do anything about the ideas they have. They blame something like lack of funds or knowledge or time to do it. When the only problem is the lack of belief in themselves and the lack of execution of ideas.
(Just by writing this I get pumped about some things I want to work on).
How an idea should be approached:
Put it on paper
I have new ideas all the time, so I take notes about everything. If you prefer something more modern than taking notes on paper, use Evernote instead.
Google is your friend
Search online about it. A little research will tell you if there’s anything online about it already.
Don’t get discouraged
Somebody will already have thought of the idea before (more than you think). Don’t get discouraged by that, you only need to find where your idea can fit in and if you can tweak or improve what is already there.
Take one step at a time
Doing many things at the same time just makes you feel overwhelmed.
It is better to divide your project into smaller parts and do them one at a time. Keep track of the necessary steps in form of a to-do list.
Keep moving
If you stop working on it, you will lose interest. So keep moving, continue reading, writing, researching. This way you will avoid losing interest, also keep track more easily and don’t forget about your main idea.
Cut the crap and take some action
Let’s be honest, if you are already putting excuses, you really don’t care enough about it. If you really want to make things happen, you don’t need to be reading this post, you can take action any time and make your idea come true.
I’m sure right now you are saying: “Not everybody can make their ideas happen”. This is simply nonsense. Everybody struggles to make things happen, the difference is that some people don’t give up that easily.
I read a post this week about AngelList in which the founder said that this was the third or fourth attempt to make his dream happen.
How many times have you tried to make something happen and gave up in the first try?
Keep going and work hard. Success doesn’t come easy or over night, you have to work for it. Instead of simply waiting for your success, make it happen.
Really interesting stuff here, Ricardo. I like how you did indeed manage to write something based off of that writing prompt. Nicely done 🙂
I think the most important thing you mentioned is taking things one step at a time. It can seem daunting to do a huge task, but piecing it out can makes it more doable and helps you avoid the despair of the whole HOLY-CRAP-I’ve-got-SO-MUCH-to-do!!! situation.
Thanks for the great read!
Thank you Tristan. I think the “HOLY-CRAP-I’ve-got-SO-MUCH-to-do” is one of the main reasons people give up.
By the way, I read couple of weeks ago your post “31 Awesome eBook Ideas for Any Niche” and I’m working already in a ebook thanks to your post. Great post.
Did you know that a Norwegian man, Johan Vaaler, was the inventor of the paper clip? (by the way, I am Norwegian) 🙂
I also use Evernote for my ideas, they usually end up in Evernote, but I have notebooks and post-it notes all over the place.
Take one step at the time is an awesome advice. I have been reading an interesting book called The Power of Less by Leo Babauta, and he’s preaching exactly what you’re saying.
Keep moving is essential. At the moment, I am writing a novel, and I have to keep writing every single day in order to keep my interest and keep the story in my head (and develop it).
By the way, I didn’t know about the daily post at wordpress. Thanks.
I read your bio couple of times and I forgot, I though you were Swedish.
I read in wikipedia the story, there’s a whole mess about who really invented it. Although it looks like he was first.
The story of this post is about the people I know that have some cool ideas but they don’t take action. I think is all about going slowly but steady.
I’m checking the daily post again. Although I already know what I’m posting tomorrow.
Thank you for the comment.
Swedish? Oh, no, they are our enemies 🙂 Well, I live about ten minutes from Sweden, so I consider myself almost Swedish.
I’ve heard the story about the paper clip, and we like to say that it’s a Norwegian invention, but I guess nobody really knows.
I know a painter, one of the best painter I have ever seen (I haven’t seen that many). But he won’t sell any of his paintings, because he never finishes them. There are always things on the paintings that can be better. So, he keeps working on them day after day, and never ever finish.
Slowly, but steady seems like the best way to do it. I also believe that a deadline is important.
Yes, the deadline is really important. When I put something in my calendar I get things done very quickly and without much distractions. It’s all in our minds 🙂
Me too. What type of calendar do you use? I have been thinking about buying a huge wall calendar, one that will be visible to me all the time, no matter where I look 🙂
I use different things. I put have reminder fox in my thunderbird. Also, use a notepad which I have side by side with my keyboard.
You couldn’t pay me to ignore these posts!
Hi Ricardo and nice post by the way.
I have a question for this “group”: Let’s say I got and idea that might satisfy a need.
Is there any “place or people” where I can drop my idea for its evaluacion?
Thanks for your time.
I talk my ideas with a business partner you can also use a mastermind group (I had in the past, but not anymore). You may want to find close people to you because you need to trust the people that you want to share your ideas.