By Mary Jaksch
Have you ever wondered what makes extraordinary things happen? It usually starts with one crazy idea. Maybe you too have had crazy ideas that seemed brilliant. But what happened next?
Did something amazing grow from that idea, or did you kill it because it seemed ‘too crazy’ or ‘just too hard’? Or did other people tell you that ‘it just won’t work’? I’ve now been involved in a number of ‘crazy’ projects that have come to success. One of which is the blogazine, The Daily Brainstorm.
Here are 7 tips on how to create a successful project from the first crazy idea
Tip #1: Share your idea with positive people.
A new idea is a vulnerable little thing. It can freeze to death in an instant. Make sure that the people you share your idea with are positive, and can be trusted.
When Geri Langlois first shared his idea of teaming up to create a blogazine (which finally became The Daily Brainstorm), I shot back an email, saying: “Super interesting idea!” That positive beginning meant that the idea could continue to grow in a sheltered spot. Note, if someone runs a new idea past you, make sure you don’t reply with the usual idea killer: “Yes, but …”
Tip #2: Act upon the idea.
An idea stays just that without action. Even the smallest action allows the idea to materialize.
What Geri and I did was to search for domain names. That led to an absurd situation ….
Tip #3: Don’t get too serious.
Get serious too soon, and your grand idea will wither away. If you remain playful, you allow your creativity stay in gear.
Geri sent me a whole list of domain names that were available. Amongst them was The Daily Brainstorm – which appealed to me at once. I emailed him back:
“I think TheDailyBrainstorm.com is a brilliant domain! Unfortunately it’s already taken…”
Geri wrote right back, all deflated: “I am so sorry — that was my favorite too. Oh well, I’ll keep thinking and keep looking.”
He couldn’t sleep all night because he’d missed out on a great domain name.
Next morning I put him out of his misery: “Don’t worry, Geri – the person who bought it was me”
Tip #4: Create a team – don’t be a soloist.
If you really want to achieve something extraordinary, the easiest way forward is to form a team. Because then you can take advantage of the power of synergy. And you don’t have to do all the work yourself.
I was lucky because I could select team members from the A-List Blogger Club , the training program that Leo Babauta and I have created for the top bloggers of tomorrow. It’s turned into a breeding ground for excellence.
Tip #5 Express your vision in words.
In order to drive an idea further towards reality, you need to express your vision in words. This can be a struggle, because a fledgling idea sometimes resists being caught in words. This is where it comes in handy to have a team.
Tip #6 Create a brand.
If you create a brand, you get instant recognition. In terms of blogging, the place that expresses the brand most clearly is the tagline. And for The Daily Brainstorm we came up with: “A blogazine to rock your mind” Whatever your project is, make sure you express your brand in a succinct way. This helps you to be clear about the focus of your project, and the direction you’re moving in
Tip #7: Follow through to fruition
Many good projects get to a stage that looks promising, but then run out of steam. If things get difficult, hang in there. It’s the people in for long haul that finally get rewarded. In order to keep the momentum going, create small milestones that you can celebrate along the way.
Conclusion
As you can see from the tips above, there are two particular danger spots when you want to let something amazing grow from your crazy idea. One is right at the start when you first have the idea. It’s easy to kill off an idea at this stage. The other danger zone is when you have created a project, but it’s still in it’s infancy. Suddenly the crazy idea has turned into a crazy amount of work – and motivation can wane.
Here are three tips on how to keep on walking forward, even when it’s hard to see results:
- is to set ‘baby-step goals’ that are easy to achieve.
- Whenever you hit one of your mini-targets – celebrate!
- Team up with others to share mutual support.
What are your tips that help to grow an acorn into an oak tree?
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Excellent tips Mary.
Everyone sitting on a good idea needs to read this article.
Point No. 1, 2 and 5 really resonate with me.
Stumbled!
Great tips Mary. So many of us are stuck in thinking and worrying. This is much needed, especially so since you have a terrific example to give. Especially important to stay positive and share with positive people. Enthusiasm is contagious. Further to take baby steps. Life Lao Tzu said “the journey of a thousand miles must start with a single step”. Thank u for this.
.-= uzma´s last blog ..Finding a candle- solutions come from action and calm =-.
The greater the number of thoughts I have of an idea, the more I believe the world wants to see that idea become a reality. Then … #2 becomes HUGE! Taking action, observing the result, and adapting has been very stress-relieving in creation for me.
So very helpful, Mary. Your advice is wise, concise and yet detailed enough for me to really sink my teeth into. I’m ready to take a big bite of it. Thank you.
.-= Katie´s last blog ..A Beginner’s Guide to Juggling Life =-.
You’ve gone all psychic Mary. I was just starting up a new venture in my mind (less acorn to oak, more seedling to forest) and was in the process of forming a process which was a bit cloudy. Then, kappow, along comes this post. Synchronistic support! It’s helped me cement a few things and get my house and mind in order for the road (or gardening) ahead. My favourite is not to get too serious – if it works, it works, if not…then it’s like my cooking. Right off to plant I go, thank you for perfect timing and wonderful words.
.-= John Sherry´s last blog ..How To Flip It And Win =-.
Wow, fantastic! Can’t wait to “Rock my mind.” Very helpful ideas in the realm of getting ideas to blossom. This is a post to read and reread over time.
Thanks
.-= Occasionallyserene´s last blog ..Serenity can enter your life when you least expect it =-.
Mary,
These are great ideas about growing ideas!
While an individual might have the spark, it often takes other people to fan the flame. As you suggest, it’s helpful to have folk you can bounce the littlest idea off. They are usually more objective about it than you are, so their view can help take the idea in directions you might never have seen.
I think it helps if you can stay objective about an idea- and be open to constructive criticism or suggestions. Many opportunities can be missed if you stay blinkered, are overly close, or stick rigidly to your original idea.
Like an acorn with the weather, you need to protect your idea as it takes shape but allow it to adapt as conditions change. Be quick to respond to the environment and your new venture is a lot more likely to thrive.
Another insightful post about how to grow ideas! I love the analogy of growing a little acorn into a mighty oak tree…
…which reminds me that for a tree to grow into a forest it needs thousands of seeds to scatter themselves across the fertile soil beneath the leafy canopy.
The best way to nurture a ‘crazy’ idea that you just KNOW in your heart will work, is to plant the same idea-seed into lots of different minds, gradually refining your idea as you work your way towards the key decision-maker that can greenlight your project. Many seedlings will be trampled by ‘that’s never gonna work’ stomping, but some will flourish as they receive sunlight and water to grow.
Never give up on an idea that you cherish. By trusting your own instincts, know that you will flourish too!
Mary,
I’m so glad you didn’t say, “Yeah, but…..” The results of your positivity speak for themselves. I’m overjoyed to be part of the DBS team!
Congrats on The Daily Brainstorm, Mary. I’ve seen it and it is super awesome:-)
Your steps for turning acorns into oak trees are perfect. Having fun along the way is so important to accomplishing great things. Staying on track, connecting with others and sharing the idea are all vital to realizing a dream, a goal.
Thanks for sharing these with us!
.-= Prerna´s last blog ..5 Simple Ways to Save Money on Groceries =-.
I’ve recently started with my own crazy idea, and you are totally right about where the stumbling blocks are! I’ve had to battle not only my own tendency to ‘Yes, but’ but that tendency in the people around me, too. I learned early on not to share my crazy ideas with other people, because they had an upsetting habit of popping my happy bubble of creativity. Now, I’m discovering that without a community around me to cheer me on and encourage me I’m lagging in motivation and energy to follow through. To that end, I’m forcing myself to talk about my crazy idea and reach out to people who are upbeat, positive and successful. It sure is a stretch for me, but I’m determined to make a my crazy idea into a successful crazy idea!
Your article is awesome because it reinforces what I’m starting to work on and gives me hope that I’m on the right track. Maybe my crazy idea isn’t so crazy!
Thank you.
Amazing post! Loved it so much that I shared it with my readers here: http://evolutionyou.net/carousel-07-16-10/
Have a fabulous weekend! xo
Mary, this is such a fantastic example and fantastic advice – every bit of it! It is important to share the idea with a positive person who won’t knock it down and to team up and share the journey. I’m a many fan of small steps – it keeps momentum alive and strong
Thank you for the inspiration today
.-= Aileen´s last blog ..It’s Mid-July- Are You Experiencing Summer =-.
Mary,
This is all very good advice for developing and following through on an idea. I particularly like the idea of not getting to serious initially. I come up with many ideas that initially feel like the big idea I’ve been waiting for and after letting myself reflect on the idea and be open for creative inspiration, I realize how it can be altered and changed in a much more valuable way. I think innovation involves realizing that an idea is never set in stone.
.-= Joe Wilner´s last blog ..How to Embrace Your Fears and Start Seeing Meaningful Growth =-.
Hi, Mary -
I really like the concept of sharing an idea . . . carefully sharing . . .
I find that I get all kinds of really cool ideas of how to implement my ideas from other people!
Thanks for giving us such a clear guide!
- Marie (Coming Out of the Trees)
.-= Marie´s last blog ..Finding my voice – Part 1 of 5 =-.
As a gardener, I really appreciate the “acorns to oak trees” guiding metaphor.
Thanks for the great advice.
.-= Andrew´s last blog ..How to Make Pizza By Hand- From Scratch- Without Torpedoing An Entire Day =-.