“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the
things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the
bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your
sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain
We are all born with the gift of discernment; a talent to visualize
what is obscure. Why then do we see people with incredible talent fail
in achieving what their mind is capable of? The smartest amongst us who
fail to throw off the bowlines and sail away from the safe harbor baffle
me. They’re the intellect without persona to explore, dream, and
discover possibly the greatest idea that amused their mind.
We all have our share of great ideas in the coffin, an idea that has
never seen daylight. I’m intrigued to explore the psyche that works
behind the death of a seemingly great idea. Let’s explore, shall we?
1. If it’s easy then it’s too good to be true
Often, great ideas are simple yet profound in nature. The person who
invented the sticky pad must have felt this enigma. The best of
intentions die when the desire that provoked the intention is lacking
fire. Last year, I had an idea to start a GPO (Group Purchasing
Organization) for the hospitality industry. The idea was simple – create
an organization of hotel owners and purchase supplies to gain economy
of the scale. One cliché I heard from others is that if it is so easy,
why has it not been done yet? If my desire were not kindled with a firm
belief, I’d have thrown a blanket over this great idea.
2. It will not work
There are ample unknowns staring at us when we throw off the
bowlines. Our negative persona kicks in and takes over like a magician.
We all have felt passion for a great idea suddenly taking turn for the
worst. When I discussed this idea of creating a purchasing group with
friends who own hotels, I expected a tidal wave of positivity and
encouragement. Instead, I felt as if I was being punched square in the
stomach when I heard, “Well, it won’t work.” Often we believe, either
consciously or subconsciously, that staying the course is the best we
can ever do. The truth can’t be any further than that.
3. It’s hard to succeed
3. It’s hard to succeed
Christopher Columbus would have never thrown off the bowlines to find
this great nation called America if he entertained this cliché. I was
told that the idea of a group purchase will discomfort the major players
in the industry and they will send Armageddon to bury my idea. If this
is how Larry Page and Sergey Brin thought then Google would not be the
billion dollar success story it is today. It is our inner feebleness to
explore the unknown and have courage to face the adversity that often
kills a great idea.
4. I have another great idea
A great idea needs intent focus. Often, it is the persistence that
manifests our intention into a reality. An intention is a process of a
burning desire coupled with visualization to immerse our focus to
believe that the idea has germinated into its physical equivalent. When
we lack this form of intention, we tend to shift focus to another idea
that’s seeking our attention. Many of my friends told me to toss this
great idea to others who are the giants in the industry and work on the
next great idea.
5. If they are smart, I must listen to them
How many times have you had an idea, but when you discussed it with
someone you consider smart you received a negative response from him or
her? It’s wise to seek advice from these smart people, but it is equally
wise to discard ostensible rhetoric. The idea was yours; they have no
wasted interest in making it happen. Often, they simply don’t want to
leave their safe harbor to explore the unknown. It’s up to you to sail
away from the safe harbor to seek and discover the greatest idea of your
life time.
I consider great ideas akin to flowing a water stream that passes
through our palms. If we do not act, water flows right in front of our
eyes. It’s only when we move our hands, and sip that water, we feel a
sense of accomplishment. Be mindful of what you have in mind today and
work on it, otherwise that great idea will die a premature death.
The good news is that no one can bury a great idea without your
approval. There are three elements of transmutation from a great idea to
a reality – desire, faith and visualization.
1. Desire
Desire is to an idea what oxygen is to our life. Developing a burning
desire with constant visualization is essential in overcoming and
defeating the resistance, which is always inevitable when you embark on a
great idea. Ask yourself, ” Do I truly, in my heart, desire this idea
to become a reality?” Often your inner voice will be the best counsel
you can ever seek.
2. Faith
Having an unrelenting faith in our desire for a great idea is akin to
having gas in a car for a journey of amusement. Develop an intrepid
mind that believes in gaining the idea. Ask yourself, “Do I believe that
it is possible for me to convert this idea into a reality?”
3. Visualize
Visualization is to a great idea what wind is to sails. We are doomed
to fall into one of those traps and to bury a great idea if we do not
visualize it daily. Try to seek the benefits it can draw rather than
difficulties it may cause. It will provide abundance of positivity to
explore, and eventually realize, your great idea.
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