A spark of brilliance is worth something but not as much as building the idea. Sure, innovation is hard and having a great idea is the first step but there are many more steps to make the idea come alive. Too often, inventors think they are done once the idea happens or the patent is filed. To these people, their great idea is all the value. It’s like investing in a startup. Sure, the money is important but what you do with the money adds the real value.
The Risk Factor Adds Value
Everyone has great ideas. Talk to anyone about their hopes and dreams and you will soon find that ideas are abundant. Ask why they don’t pursue their great ideas and several themes emerge: too risky, afraid to fail or don’t want to look stupid. All of these excuses are just a lack of confidence in ability because executing an idea is risky. You could fail. No, you will fail more than you succeed. Get over it. Don’t dwell on what others think. The loudest critics typically lack the most confidence. Remember, the idea is just the start. You actually have to do something to add value. The higher the risk, the higher the potential value.
The Road Is Rocky
Part of the problem with ideas is that most are half-baked. Sparks of true genius are rare. What usually happens is that the idea changes over time. As you add value, the idea morphs into a new idea that might not be yours alone. This Idea annealing always happens with good ideas. That is why the active pursuit of realizing your idea adds so much value. You have to zig and zag along the rocky innovation road. With every zig and zag, value builds until your inspiration turns into creation. Ideas are worthless without execution just like money is worthless without using it.
