What's The Big Idea?

The biggest problem of being a big idea person is that you are an easy target for criticism. Those who sit back and do not choose to actively put their ideas or hopes or dreams out for others to see have it pretty good. There’s nothing for others to judge, nothing to critique, no visible goal to publicly fail to reach. They simply wait for the idea folks to present a plan, a thought, a concept, a starting point and then they leap into action. This would be okay if that “action” was positive and productive in its nature. Building on and further developing the idea that’s on the table...whether that means scrapping it completely or minor adjustments...is great if done with respect and common decency and with the primary objective being that the best solution to the problem or the best plan to achieve the goal is the focus. The problem comes when it’s apparent that the reactive person is mostly intent on tearing down and criticizing the idea giver. This injects negativity immediately and prompts a defensive response in the idea person. They are going to defend their position because that’s human primal tendency. If the response had only been subtle and tactful and done in a true spirit of pursuit-of-the-good then both participants would be energized by one another and neither would feel alienated. 

I have always been an idea person. I like to be decisive even if I’m not totally sure of the rightness of the decision. And I am also a starter. I may not always start in the most graceful way or with the most effective methods but you can count on something getting off the ground. Some would argue that if you are not going to do something 100% correctly and “right” then you shouldn’t do it at all. I disagree. I think there is too much emphasis put on being perfect and that expectation likely prevents people from taking risk and trying something that is out of the box and different. Scripted media, Facebook statuses that always seem cheery and unrealistically positive, “reality” shows that are anything but real, and Hollywoods’ portrayal of what is current, cool, or acceptable all contribute to the perceived pressure of being flawless. But nothing great or transformative is achieved by maintaining status quo. Plus, so many times you learn much more from mistakes than from success. 

Yes it would be more sanitary to scrub the sink, mop the floor, scour the toilets and shower every time the bathroom needs a cleaning. But who can do that every time? Sometimes a quick sweep and a wipe of the vanity surface will do. It’s something. Something is better than leaving it for 2 weeks because “If I’m going to clean I want it perfect”. Don’t get me wrong, we need both kinds of folks in this world. If we were always starting things but never finishing or never digging deeper we’d be in trouble quick. 

I guess my point is to encourage those who tend to wait for others to begin or speak up to perhaps give credit to the idea guy or gal for having the courage to start. There is value in that and I would submit it’s not the easier path. Consider that it may have taken much thought and planning and often struggle to reveal what you just heard or saw in 10 seconds. Don’t assume that the next big idea coming from your husband, wife, child, friend, coworker, etc was conceived 11 seconds ago. Maybe it was, but usually big idea people put loads of thought into the next big pursuit. And yes, sometimes it’s spontaneous. 

Also if you are that person who is reluctant to speak up and let your thoughts be known... cut it out! You are robbing us of another potentially great and unique perspective. You have a take on the world that nobody else quite has. Have the confidence to be that starter...be that pro-active go-getter, even if only on one thing that you really are passionate about. 

So come one, come all ye Big Idea Humans. There's room enough for all of us.