Have you ever wondered why your ideas aren’t worth anything? Do you get clammy when people ask you about your idea (you know…you idea protectors you)? Have your ideas even paid off?
If not…it’s because your ideas are just about worthless. Admit it. How much joy, satisfaction, money, or fame has your ideas brought you? If the answer is none, zero, zilch, or next to nothing, then there should be absolutely no surprise to why that is…
It’s your execution, not the idea, that’s worth something.
I talk a lot about ideas, have a lot ideas, know about a lot of ideas…which is great and a lot of fun. However, none of them mean much of anything unless I execute, execute, execute. People tend to talk a lot about their ‘big idea’…but that’s always the end of it.
It’s so funny when I hear people being so protective of ideas. (People who want me to sign an nda to tell me the simplest idea.) To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions. Explanation:
- Awful idea = -1
- Weak idea = 1
- So-so idea = 5
- Good idea = 10
- Great idea = 15>
- Brilliant idea = 20
- >No execution = $1
- Weak execution = $1000
- So-so execution = $10,000
- Good execution = $100,000
- Great execution = $1,000,000
- Brilliant execution = $10,000,000
To make a business, you need to multiply the two. The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20. The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000. That’s why I don’t want to hear people’s ideas. I’m not interested until I see their execution.
—Derek Sivers, president and programmer, CD Baby & HostBaby
We need ideas;l all the time. New, fresh, exciting, innovative ideas that continue to shape society. But are you executing them? Maybe…just maybe…someone else could execute your idea better than you. Is that so bad? It’s not, really.
In today’s world of social computing, web 2.0, and cheap (sometimes free) technology, many ideas can go from concept to success in no time. If your idea is that good, then execute it. If you don’t want to execute it…then share it. Your idea is worthless anyway.
Filed under: ideation, social computing, web 2.0
