Big ideas often come from the most unexpected places and circumstances. How can you recognize when this happens right under your nose?
I want to help you recognize some of your big-idea potential.
The other day a fellow stopped by my garden to tell me a sad story.
He said, "I was working in my garden one day when I thought of this
big idea: a perpetual water fountain! How original!
"I could see it clearly, a gizmo on a pedestal spouting water into a little bowl, gurgling to attract birds, squirrels, and even bees.
"Yes, bees love to drink water from water fountains! So glad
you asked.
"Also, I could have a good time watching the birds, bees,
and squirrels enjoy themselves for free, just sipping water, splashing
around in it, and getting healthier, cleaner, and dizzier all the while.
"I ran the big water fountain idea by my business advisor and he
said, 'I hate to tell you, but someone else has just thought of that idea. I
don't think you can go far with it. Besides, how would it be kept running without an electric plug in the yard to pump the water?'
"Now he had already told me what a smart guy he was, so I gave up right
away on my big water fountain idea. That was decades ago. My advisor and I
are no longer in touch because he picked up my idea and ran---no, he splashed---into a big success with it!"
Did that really happen to the fellow that told me that story? I don't know. But the idea part and
the stealing-of-idea part could have.
If I'd known then about the Big Idea show on TV, I'd have told him about it. Have you seen that show?
Entrepreneurs and success-wannabees love it!
The Big Idea features inventors of toys like hoola hoops, ways
to make your hair shine even if it's dull as a rock, unique and cuddly teddy bears that will sing to grandma or someone in the hospital, and power mowers that will cut a lawn so
well there will be no need to mow for six months. I am not kidding.
These big idea people have fashioned real estate gimmicks
that really work, concocted chocolate candy to die for, designed running shoes that almost do the running for you, and formulated games and entertainment
that kids never thought of a year ago. It's phenomenal, if you think about it.
Where do all the ideas come from? What makes grass grow? How
far away is the moon? These people can answer all kinds of questions like that,
too. It's all in the talent pool of big idea people.
Big idea people also know that it does not matter if a gazillion other
people have thought of a water fountain idea. The big idea comes from thinking of how to make a better, more exciting, and more enjoyable water fountain than any other one; it would likely be made of unlikely but workable material, would have a water storage bin, and would get power from a solar cell or two, to keep water bubbling up as long as the sun shines down on anyone's yard, patio, or balcony.
That's where big ideas come from in the land of other ideas just waiting to light up or put a new twist on an existing something-or-other. Then, big idea people cushion their situation with big-idea marketing. That's how a big-idea product floats out there to launch for as big a shot at the cool waters of mega-success as much any other idea out there.
I hope that fella stops by again. I'll tell him to watch for his next big idea. It may be poised to dive into his conscious mind right now!
Before I go back to my flowers, I'll leave all entrepreneurs some immortal words of cheer that just beamed across my memory: "Never give up on your big ideas! Go for 'em!" and that other saying that Nike has already just trademarked!
The Writing Gardener, a friend of Jane's
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