The value of bad ideas - The Weekly Godin

Every week, I learn something new from Seth Godin or at least am reminded of a valuable lesson. This lesson is focused on the value of bad ideas.

A few people are afraid of good ideas, ideas that make a difference or contribute in some way. Good ideas bring change, that's frightening.

But many people are petrified of bad ideas. Ideas that make us look stupid or waste time or money or create some sort of backlash.

The problem is that you can't have good ideas unless you're willing to generate a lot of bad ones.

Painters, musicians, entrepreneurs, writers, chiropractors, accountants--we all fail far more than we succeed. We fail at closing a sale or playing a note. We fail at an idea for a series of paintings or the theme for a trade show booth.

But we succeed far more often than people who have no ideas at all.

Someone asked me where I get all my good ideas, explaining that it takes him a month or two to come up with one and I seem to have more than that. I asked him how many bad ideas he has every month. He paused and said, "none."

And there, you see, is the problem.

For more Seth Godin posts (including this one), check out his blog.

I, oftentimes preach about the fact that a good idea well executed is better than a great idea that you don't do anything with. And as learned in the post above, it does take some bad ideas to ultimately get to a good or even a great idea.

Here is one of my many bad ideas that I am glad I didn't execute.

Sweatpantsromance.com - Me giving relationship advice while sitting in my sweatpants in front of a computer. I ultimately was convinced by good friends and ex-girlfriends that I would have a bit of a credibility problem with this one.