Why Better Ideas Are Usually Bad Ideas

I’m an entrepreneur in the service business, and I’m full of ideas.

You have to be if you want to thrive. Like a storm just over the horizon, I’ve trained myself to spot ideas coming. To catch them when they’re close, incubate them for as long as it takes, release, modify and repeat.

Ideas are art.

But some ideas, even if they’re better, are bad ideas.

Those, I’m learning, are the ideas that cost the most. In real-world money? Yes. But also in time. In relationships.

My entire career is helping people. Their lives are tremendously better because I’m in it. I’m not exaggerating or over-selling it. And you know what people who’ve been helped by you — usually — want to do? Help you in return. And how do they do that, with ideas.

But generally, these people aren’t entrepreneurs. They’re ideas, while well-meaning and even insightful, haven’t had the pleasure of roasting within the easy-bake oven of the entrepreneur’s mind. So when they tell me, I can’t help but tell them how to make it better.

And every time I do, I rob myself of the chance to serve them even more.

People who come to me want to be helped. They also want to be heard. And nothing says, “I’m not listening” like “I have a better idea.”

It isn’t easy, but I’m training myself differently these days. Instead of the guy with all the ideas, I’m becoming the guy who people like to help. And you know what?

It’s the best idea I ever had.