I’m not going to lie. The first idea that pops in my head is usually really good. Follow me.
In order for an idea to get past my own insecurities and my brain’s filter, it has to be a pretty decent idea. I hate looking like I have bad ideas, so I instantly squash those. That’s why I’m willing to say all my ideas are good. They only bubble to the surface if they’re good.
The problem is, most people are in the same boat. Most people have good ideas. And the problem with a good idea is that it keeps you from pursuing a better idea. Once you have a good idea, you’re very willing to stop thinking and follow the first idea that pops into your head.
A good idea will get you far. You can have a lot of success by yourself, just following your own ideas. That’s where most people live. They rely on their own first ideas.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be the same as everyone else. I don’t want to rely on all my good ideas. I want to search for the best ideas.
So how do you do this? How do you get past your first good idea and to your great idea?
I believe the key to this is to work with others—with others who have different perspectives than you. When you share an idea with someone, you instantly have to argue for it. You have to convince yourself, and them, why it’s the best idea.
Then their perspective chimes in. And if you’re willing to see things from their unique point of view, it can help you get to the best idea. Often that involves a simple tweak of your original idea. Often it turns into something completely different.
And often you don’t even go with their suggestions. But by opening yourself up to an outside perspective, you get a unique view on the idea. That’s the part that makes all the difference—seeing things from someone else’s perspective.
Who do you share your ideas with? How do you go from good to great?
