Have you ever had a great idea, only to realise later that it wasn’t really that great after all?
We’ve all been there. In fact, Steve Jobs once said that “…Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.” And he was right! Ideas are wonderful things, but we can’t pursue every single one of them.
The problem is that we can get so caught up in our ideas that we lose sight of what’s really important. We waste time and energy chasing after things that don’t matter instead of focusing on the one idea that could truly make a difference.
So how do we know which idea is the right one?
Well, it’s actually easier than you might think. You start by going with your gut. If something feels right to you, then it is probably right for you.
Of course, there are other criteria to consider, like whether the idea solves a problem in society, but the most important thing is to trust your instincts.
Now, to get rid of the 999 ideas that aren’t right for you, there’s one thing you should never do: write them all down.
Trust me, I know from experience. I used to carry around a big book filled with all my ideas, and it became an obsession. I was constantly thinking about business and new ideas, to the point where I couldn’t even socialise without my mind wandering.
But here’s the thing: if an idea is truly important, you won’t forget it. The right ideas stick with us subconsciously, because they give us joy and fulfilment. So don’t worry about writing everything down. Instead, focus on the one idea that feels right to you, and let the others go.
Remember, the right idea doesn’t have to be perfect. It might even fail in the end.
But what matters most is that you learn from it and use that knowledge to pursue the next idea, and the next after that.
Just look at Elon Musk and Tesla. He didn’t think it would succeed, but he pursued it anyway, and look where he is now.
So go ahead, trust your gut, simplify your process, and let go of all those other ideas. You might just be surprised by what you can achieve.
