Let’s first start by defining the concept of ‘idea’. Yes, I know this is an amateur way of starting a blog post. But today I am not going to quote Wikipedia or a dictionary definition. Today, I am going to make the definition up (feel free to refute it in the comments). To me, an idea is a type of epiphany that occurs while one is struck with a problem. This epiphany presents a solution to such problem and from the beholder’s perspective, it is very clear that this is the perfect solution.
Powerful ideas have an intuitive name and can be explained to most people in 60 seconds. But contrary to popular belief, I think that a good idea will only be fully appreciated by the epiphaneer. As a matter of fact, I don’t think ideas are worth anything without people with the knowledge, the commitment, and the perseverance to make them happen—this is my assumption. From this, we can derive the following question: If ideas are worthless, then why should anybody see any value in them?
You see, an idea ‘feels’ like the perfect solution to a problem, but the truth is 180° away. An epiphany will be presented in a highly utopian manner (hence, it can be explained in 60 seconds to most people). But in order to develop an implementation, the creators will have to solve a series of complex issues. As a matter of fact, the final result will probably look’n’feel (and function) very different from the original mental blueprint.
This is not just my opinion. Think about the word idealistic. This is the term that we, as a society, use to refer to a person who has a vision of the world (generally positive) that cannot be achieved as a series of practical and realistic steps. An idealistic person will expect too many changes to happen too quickly and to have too many resources to fund this change. An idealistic person is not a doer, but more of a talker (and, of course, a thinker).
Most people who claim to want to be entrepreneurs are actually idealistic. They are always waiting “to have a great idea” before they move on to conquer the world of start-ups. They think and talk big, and they do little. Most people confuse being an entrepreneur with daydreaming. In fact, most people let ideas get in the way of them becoming successful entrepreneurs—this, again, is my assumption. But bear with me.
So if ideas aren’t worth a penny, and if ideas keep getting in the way of success; what is the whole fuzz with them?
Here is what I think: ideas are the light at the end of the tunnel. When undertaking an arduous endeavor, we need to have a clear goal. We need to make this projection and we need it to be simple, beautiful, and utopian. Otherwise, we would not be able to invest months or even years of our lives pursuing this goal. A successful startup requires precise execution, and at no point we are allowed to slow down or have doubts. This is where ideas are great. The idea-maker is committed to his idea, like a sports fan is committed to the Red Sox—commitment will encourage them to stick with a team, even after a bad season (or 70).
I suggest that when you have an epiphany, you let it grow big and beautiful. Don’t be scared of the technical or strategic challenges that this realization might present. Fly with it, share it with people, and use it to get excited enough to go ‘All In’. After this point, grab your idea (a sketch or a paragraph written on a napkin) and put it in the wall—this will be your inspiration. From then on, forget about the bells and whistles and get on to the hard work. Don’t be stubborn, let your idea morph into a complete different being. Look for advice, explore technical challenges, and find a business model. And when you are feeling the battle is being lost, look up to the wall and remember how great you felt the moment it sparked your mind.
Cheers.
5 comments:
So in your opinion, the will to "start-up" comes first and the "idea" is the ideal to keep you going (napkin on the wall). I kinda agree with that.
But what if you have the will but got no ideas? Will this lead to a endless search for it? No idea = nostart-up. But: Only waiting for an idea != start-up ...
That's something like a vicious circle!
So what to do? Better search, try and find than wait for the "one idea"?
@ Max
In my limited experience with start-ups, you need the will and then the idea. It isn't necessarily a viscous circle. The reason is that first idea really doesn't matter. All you need is something that can be profitable, which is just about anything. By the time, you sell your product, as Ivan mentioned, it will be 180 degrees, completely different than what you originally though. Maybe not quite 180 degrees, but not exactly what you thought your product was.
@ Max
Like Andrew said, my point is that the idea is not important so just pick one that you like and use it as the motivating factor for your startup. If you are an entrepreneur at soul, you should be having several product ideas every day, so the whole concept of 'waiting for a good idea' should not apply to you.
I agree to some extent. I feel like the "idea" is underrated in these cases.
For example, Google. Google didn't start off as, "lets be a company and later think what to do as motivation." It started off as an idea, and purely an idea. Once interest was discovered, it became the motivation behind the company. Google started as a research project at some college. It probably followed the same mechanism as you mentioned. When the first launch came out, it was probably no where close to it's ideal view of Google during that time. But as time progress, and the ones who made the research project into a company continued with that idea, they were able to evolve the project closer to its original concept.
The whole concept of “an idea first becomes reality is a 180 degree view of what you thought of” is true. When you pitch an idea, you think of the future. What the product would best be in order for everyone to buy it. But as development starts, you hit bumps in the road. The reasons why no one have ever made a product like this. Once these bumps are discovered, workarounds, solutions, and compromises are made in order for the basics to work. To get the project into reality. Getting the more detailed specs are always pushed into future work.
That's where the "will" comes in. In this day in age, I believe there are no new ideas. The reason the idea isn't reality is because people didn't have the will or time to go over those bumps that prevent it from being reality. The ones with the “will” to finish it overcome the bumps by any means necessary. Generally those companies generally sacrifice their concept idea in order to get their product into production. As the company continues to grow and progress, those original concepts come back and eventually turn that 180 degree view back around to it's original view.
Best way I can describe it is, imagine continuing a senior design project. Nine times out of ten, your original concept idea is completely different than what was made in the end. But what if you could continue working on it. Making it into something you sell? You have the basics working now, which is a 180 degree view of what you originally thought of. What are you going to do now to make it better? You look at your original idea. Since that is the “light at the end of the tunnel.” That idea now becomes you goal. Making it smaller, faster, last longer, etc.
You just gotta be smart to think of something genius, then you have to be determined to work hard and make something happen. A little bit of wisdom is better than a lot of knowledge. Wisdom comes with experience.
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