Where Great Ideas Die
In a recent podcast, we interview Allan Branch and relive some of the funny and creative marketing ideas they had. (24:24 listen til around 27:30). Jeremy asks a great question about implementing these type of ideas. Ideas that many would characterize as risky, silly, or not worth the effort. Most everyone has "good/cool ideas" but they usually end there. Jeremy suggests you need to "make room for creativity". Then Allan remembers a Steve Martin quote:
Comedians don't have any kind of monopoly on the truth. We're not any more insightful than anyone else. Everyone has funny thoughts; comedians just take the time to write them down.
Allan relates that to creatives. We all have creative ideas, but the person who is a creative takes the idea and figures out how to test it and refine it.
This is such a powerful concept and it can be applied to many things.
Entrepreneurs don't have any kind of monopoly on starting a business. They're not any more insightful than anyone else. Everyone has business ideas; entrepreneurs just take action on them.
Artists don't have any kind of monopoly on art. They're not any more insightful than anyone else. Everyone has artistic thoughts; artists just take action on them.
Writers don't have any kind of monopoly on writing. They're not any more insightful than anyone else. Everyone has journalistic thoughts; writers just take write them down.
Designers don't have any kind of monopoly on design. They're not any more insightful than anyone else. Everyone has opinions on design; designers just design and create.
Coders don't have any kind of monopoly on programming. They're not any more insightful than anyone else. Everyone has programming traits; coders just take the time to learn and write the code.
It's been said many times and many ways: thoughts and ideas are good, but require actions. Doers do, builders build, makers make, creators create, and on and on. No matter how much you prepare and plan and analyze, at some point you have to take action.