Managing Your Big Idea So That It Doesn’t Eat Your Brain
“Good god. Not another blog…”
That was the first thought I had when I read the excited announcement on someone’s blog about another blog they’d created. It made me think of the other blog they had that they hadn’t maintained, not to mention the blog they were posting the announcement on.
“But it was such a great idea!!!…”
Yes, yes, I know. Chase the dream. Drop everything, quick! There’s a BIG IDEA happening, and we’d better do something about it fast – like, within the next 34.287 seconds before the whole blogosphere either discovers it too or moves on to the next BIG IDEA!
Ah, yes. And that next BIG IDEA is coming in exactly 14.756 seconds, so you’d better hold onto your pants, boys! It’s gonna blow your minds!
Not quite. Not even close. I may be too jaded or too much of a critical thinker, but when someone comes up with one of those BIG IDEAS, my first question is:
Why are you doing this?
Seriously. That’s the most crucial, integral and important question to answer before launching yet another blog, yet another business, yet another BIG IDEA into the world.
It’s even more important to ask questions of yourself if you already have one of those blogs, businesses or ideas sitting about collecting dust on the shelf. Why aren’t you paying attention to them first? Why are you leaping about from fad to fad? Do you believe your ship will come in – and in 12.842 seconds, no less?
Many people contact me to ask my thoughts on a new business idea or what direction they should take with their blog. I tell them exactly what I think, too. I point out the missing link, I ask the hard questions and I get people thinking.
(Apparently, thinking is becoming a lost art.)
My intention isn’t to deflate people or shoot down their ideas. Not at all. Each and every one of the people I shared my thoughts with have moved on to make better choices, get a more solid plan of action or drop a BIG IDEA that is just a damned waste of time (and it probably won’t bring in any money, either).
So I beg of you. Please. The next time you have one of those BIG IDEAS, and you suddenly want to leap off your chair, slap up a new template, create a site and roll it out the door, stop.
Take a deep breath. Take another. Don’t talk to anyone at all, either. You’ll only pick people who will get excited about your BIG IDEA and no one’s going to make any headway.
Just go for a walk alone and ask yourself, “Why the hell am I doing this?”
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To be honest, my first (somewhat self-centered) thought when reading this post was, “Uh oh… I hope he’s not referring to me.” I already had a blog… and I just launched a new blog… and I do have a blog that’s severely neglected… But then I realized, my new blog isn’t meant to be a money-maker-BIG-IDEA… although I love when people read it, it’s mostly just for me.
Between Son and myself, we have a lot of BIG IDEAS. But we always stop and think – is there a group of people who would actually benefit from this idea? Is there a way to make money off of this idea? We always put a lot of thought into our ideas – for Fridgg, it was almost a year from when I first decided I wanted another food blog to when we finally launched it.
But then, I guess I’m lucky. I generally don’t tell anyone but Son about my BIG IDEAS until they are about to launch, and we are both each other’s biggest critic. There have been countless times where we’ve told each other, “You know, I don’t think that’s a very good idea,” and we move on to the next one. I think the important thing is to have those BIG IDEAS, but also have the wisdom to recognize when it’s not a very good idea, and move on to the next one.
(Also, your “exactly what I think” link is broken.)
The similar question I like to ask is:
“What does the world need?”
A lot of the big ideas are actually copycat ideas that people hope will work for them. They might get seduced by the thought of having others’ visible success for themselves.
It’s important to approach an idea from the perspective of ‘who else will benefit from this?’ rather than simply ‘how will I benefit?’
If you can identify real people who will substantially benefit from the venture, then yes it probably is worth doing. If it is just a big thing for yourself, then maybe not.
Good advice – I’m still recovering from the “epiphany” I had last night. At least it would not have required me to create a new blog.
Now I’m working on this morning’s “epiphany”…
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James,
Excellent post, my friend. As you know me as an idea generator (and one who often bounces things off of you – you always make me think!), I think this is a great piece of advice for the brainstormers out there.
I come up with an idea, and write it down – save it for later – mull it over – ask people questions – think some more. I mean, I believe in action, don’t get me wrong, but as someone with an “idea infection” in the brain, I have to be careful.
Actually, that’s sort of why I’ve been pretty quiet on my blog this week. We all have limited time, of course, and I’ve been pondering quite a few things – prioritizing – and planning to move forward with a couple that actually mean something to me.
Dude! This post gives me an AWESOME IDEA for a new blog: Drunken Cats! It’ll be all about cats caught in poses that make them look drunk! It’ss be AWESOME! AWESOME!
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AWESOME!
Christopher Garlingtons last blog post..Free Illustrations Illustrate How Free Illustrations Illustrate
“Don’t just do something, stand there.
Sometimes it is that questioning , that pausing, that creates SUSTAINABLE ideas to act on. And SO WHAT is a very good question to ask . Are you adding value? How and to whom? Because it is an exchange.
Janice Cartiers last blog post..Back To the Paint
@ Chris – Dammit, I think someone’s done it already… but WAIT! What about drunken kittens taking on the stoned DOGS! And people can submit their own VIDEOS! We’ll be FAMOUS!
I am sandwiched in between drunken cats and stoned dogs? Sheesh…another night in the Quarter…..
Janice Cartiers last blog post..Back To the Paint
When having a business-related idea, one thing which I think people miss (yours truly included) is that if people really need it – if there is a market for that. Which is why I’m pushing through with my idea of putting up a site wherein people can submit videos of themselves or an episode of their favorite TV show. I’ll invite you guys then. I’m sure it’s gonna be great.
Happy Halloween everyone!
@ Chris – that’s great! I was thinking of starting a blog on the many ways to eat an Oreo cookie LOL.
@ James – Definitely people jump into the idea of owning their own business, launching a new product/service, or starting their new big blog way too quickly. They definitely need to ask themselves the questions listed on your post you linked to in your article. Also remember: Desire usually isn’t good enough, you need a timeline and realistic plan.
(sorry if this is a duplicate comment, I got an error last time I tried posting)
John Hoff – eVentureBizs last blog post..How Can A Blog Help Your Business?
Wise advice noble sages. I have learned to let most of my ideas kick around in my noggin for at least a month. And that is before I talk about it to anyone.
I believe in only talking about things I have done, not things I am going to do.
So hopefully in one month from today I’ll have something to talk about. We all know what November is right? I know Men With Pens does. (Very clever ad.)
@Chris @James – actually, the Urbane Lion is hoping to create podcasts entitled the Shit-faced Chef. What do you think?
Urban Panthers last blog post..Theme Fiction Friday – At last
Good lord, where were y’all 10 years ago when I needed such brilliant advice! LOL, this is spot on. My brain generates ideas at warpspeed, and I have a pretty high energy level, but still. You just can’t do everything, nor would you ever want to. Just Say No is a great mantra.
I love your posts, keep up the fab work.
Tamara
@ Urban – Have you been spying on me again??
@ Daryle – Noble sages. I like that. Mmhm. I’m keeping it. Noble Sage King James… mmhm.
@ TK – Um, ten years ago I would have been managing an international customer service department. Sorry I wasn’t around
@ John – Desire is good enough!! It works when I want a new gadget!!
@Urban — It’s already been done. Coincidentally (…?), the name of the show was “The Urban Peasant”.
LOL My God, I think ol’ James Barber searched out only those recipes with an alcohol content of 14% or higher. Loved his line: something like “And don’t forget to pour a little for the chef…”
~Graham
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@ Graham – Okay. What does it say about me that I actually have one of JB’s cookbooks?
@Graham – I loved the Urban Peasant! One cup for the pot, three cups for me. Apparently, the Lion is planning on up-ing it a notch. I just hope he doesn’t lose any fingers in the process.
@James – ah, so you subscribe to the ‘one cup for the pot, three cups for me’ school of culinary technique?
Urban Panthers last blog post..Theme Fiction Friday – At last
Wonderful words of wisdom, James. Especially this morning. Thanks.
“when someone comes up with one of those BIG IDEAS, my first question is: ‘Why are you doing this?’”
That ought to be everyone’s first question to themselves when they find themselves caught up in the exhilaration of the next big thing.
Thoughtful planning is essential. True, there comes a point when the planning has to stop and action be taken. But without a solid, sensible plan, most action will probably lead to somewhere undesirable.
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@James – lol – did it come with a free bottle of vodka? Or was it the other way around?
@Urban, if the Lion is planning of upping it any more, tell him to invest in a good make-up artist. You could still see the red glowing through James’ powder…
All joking aside (hmm, me wonders why I need to do that…) I liked the Urban Peasant too. I’m not much for cooking, but he was sort of the Jamie Oliver of the time — take what’s in the kitchen and make something good.
Got to respect that.
~Graham
Big Ideas are tricky beasts, they’re very sneaky and are experts at painting a rosy picture. I’ve fallen prey to a few myself. I keep forgetting James’ key question of “Why are you doing this”.
My big new idea? A blog about how other people’s blogs and blog ideas sucks. Every day I’ll rip another blog a new orifice. I’ll also talk about why everyone’s blog marketing ideas, branding ideas and design skills sucks. Sadly, whyyourblogsucks.com is already taken, but I’m sure I can come up with another good name. Thanks Men!
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Yup. Been there. I’m about consolidating and getting rid of things, now, not adding them on. If you have already made a plan, suddenly doing something new cannot possibly be part of it.
If you have time and room to play (as in like serious play) then when John McCain irritates the entire globe during a debate with the patently disingenuine phrase “my friends,” and you decide to whip up johnmccainisnotmyfriend.com the very next day…
That’s pretty damn cool. That’s the beauty of the interwebs. But that idea you just now thought of that you think is all that? It probably isn’t all that.
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@ James – hmmm…. true, good enough to buy something you really want, yes; good enough to launch a successful endeavor, perhaps not don’t you think?
John Hoff – eVentureBizs last blog post..How Can A Blog Help Your Business?
James,
Nice post. I’m sure I’ve been guilty of talking people out of far more than I’ve talked them into, and frankly I wish more folks saw it that way. Not in a “rain on my parade” sort of a way, but in a “let’s think it out so you’ve got something with legs” sort of a way.
Everybody wants to have rah rah all around them. That has its dangers, as I’ve seen too many times.
Some folks are obsessed with starting guns. I’m obsessed with finish lines.
Regards,
Kelly
P.S. Graham I *loved* The Urban Peasant. I’ve got Peasant’s Choice on my cookbook shelves, it really is a good cookbook. How come I never thought of him as the successor to *hic* Julia Child’s wine-is-fine cooking style? *hic*
Maybe I was busy following his instructions… *hic*
Happy Halloween, everyone!
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Good points. I get spread too thin with Big Ideas, and they all turn out little. None get fed enough through time.
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The question I (try to) always ask myself when I create something at my ad agency, and suggest to the readers of my blog, who are mostly small business owners, is “Who cares? So what.” Great help when trying to come up with a good (or big) idea.
The sad thing here is how often I’m hearing things like “whether or not the idea/blog” is going to make money. Is that all that matters to bloggers and people in general these days? making money? Our economy is such a mess, the US economy, the world economy, that we’re all involved in this beast that tries to encourage us to buy things that we don’t need. I’d like to see more blogging for the hell of it, for thinking, for creating, for sharing good ideas – and not so much for “how do I make a buck”. We need change, desperately. The planet can’t take much more unbridled capitalism, and why don’t we lead the way, eh?
I agree Albert,
And it often comes because people are fixated on the short term goals of blogging. You can often earn more money from doing something if you don’t try to force money out of it. Digital Photography School by Darren Rowse is a good example, which he was recently offered a very hefty sum of money for when it isn’t even really monetized – just because it has been built up into a solid blog that provides value to people and has a large audience.
It’s the better way to build a blog in my mind – build something up over a couple of years into a truly valuable piece of web real estate. If you have a big idea, it won’t be realized overnight – the bigger the idea, the more effort and commitment required to make it happen.
And btw James I changed my blog title to the one you suggested – working well so far! (Though i think you’ll need to re-approve me to comment now heh)
@ Pat – Ahh, there you go! Beautiful!
@ Albert – I understand your views and respect that you wish people would be bigger than the here and now or self-gratification.
While I’d love to be that big a person and care more about the Earth and sharing ideas and world peace and the cure for cancer and resolving poverty… I have two kids to feed, a mortgage to pay and people depending on me for the ability to feed their own kids and lpay their own mortgages.
I don’t consider basic survival unbridled capitalism. I’m not ashamed to say that I’m focusing on making ends meet above all (Maslow’s hierarchy at its best.) I also know that many more people are fighting hard just to keep their head above water.
So be careful when asking the question whether money is all that matters today. To some people and with very good reason, yes. I have a hard time with comments that imply someone is not being world-concious enough when they may be worrying about what they’ll eat tomorrow or how they’ll stay warm this winter.
While I don’t appreciate bloggers who don’t think before chasing the next dream or going after the next scheme, I’m also not going to lump everyone together in one boat and say anyone blogging for money, not ideas, is about unbridled capitalism for wanting to keep their kids in good health, fed and safe.
And if I misunderstood the intention of your comment, I apologize. Blame 6am and lack of coffee.
Well… when you put it like that James…
Yeah I can agree with your perspective as well.
My comments agreeing against the money making perspective were largely concerned with the practice of writing about something just so you can put Adsense up. I usually don’t read such blogs because you can see through it… it just comes off as a bit fake.
Then again, as you say, it can be a hard world and if someone is successful in using blogging as a profitable enterprise, then good on them.
Another perspective is if something is making money – then it is being useful, since people are willing to pay for it. Making money isn’t a bad thing in that way because you’re providing people with enough value that they are willing to pay you for it. Your blog, for example, I have no problems with it from a money-making standpoint since you’re giving value to readers, and they are willing to contact you for design work. It’s the way the world goes – people get paid according to what they give out.
I guess that also explains my aversion to PPC ad systems, as the value isn’t directly linked to what you do. But I’m rapidly falling off topic here…
Aww I love you… You used the phrase “waiting for your ship to come in!”
I’m impatient like that and have to rein in my impulses to chase after new ideas. I’m learning how to complete things and to have patience, as annoying at that is.
It’s working though and I’m achieving the goals I set out a while back while trying not to add too many new things in.
The challenge of course is the money – if something looks like it could earn some money more quickly than what I’m currently working on it’s tempting to grab at that and pile something else on my plate.
Alex Fayle | Someday Syndromes last blog post..Destuckifying Your Life: Havi Brooks Interview
OK, everyday & nites i have plenty of idea. That’s a good post to calm my brain!
Phew, what a kick-ass post!
it’s a lil bit funny. while there are people who think that they dont have any idea to execute, there are peopple who have too much idea and depress because of “wich-one-i-need-to-do-first”?
Well, i’m the second one. So Thank God i found your post here
Anyway, this is a great post. i’ll subscribe your feed
Regards, From Indonesia.
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