It goes against what you read in your entrepreneurial literature, but hear me out for a sec.

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We are creators, and we are passionate. Many times this makes for a very productive and successful combo. But, in some instances it can work against you. Here’s why.

How many times have you created the “perfect” business idea in your mind? You think its the game changer the world has been waiting for, the next Fortune 500 company. You court this idea, nurture it and ultimately, fall in love with it.

Which is normal right? After all, you have it all mapped out and despite the obstacles that will arise, you are ready to do whatever it takes to make it work. You are full of passion, zeal and drive, and nothing or no one can deter you from making it happen.

But, this is where the problems lies…

For us as humans, one of the biggest influencers in our lives is ego. We are led by it, forced by it and coaxed by it. We let it cloud our judgement and rational thinking many times over, and sometimes when we fall in love with an idea, it begins to think for us.

There have been so many times I have fallen in love with a business idea. I think I know what people will love, what they will buy, I force my opinions upon them, I tell them what they want to hear and see, not the other way around. My ego takes over, and I become blind to the reality that no one is listening to what I have to say but me.

I am guilty…

I have been guilty of falling in love with an idea many times. A love that clouded the true situation, and left me avoiding all the necessary questions.

Why isn’t anyone buying my product?

Why aren’t visitors staying on my site?

Why is no one commenting?

Why is no one following me on social media?

Why am I not getting return customers?

Why did that customer leave a bad review?

All the questions that ego shuns away. The right questions.

As creators we can never fall too in love with an idea. We have to be prepared to assess the situation, gather feedback from our peers and prospective customers, and be prepared to pivot.

The moment we allow ourselves to become too attached to an idea, is the moment we become weak. Of course, we are passionate beings, and our whole existence as Entrepreneurs and creative people are fueled by zeal and avidity.

But, what it comes down to is understanding that you are not selling to yourself. You are selling to someone else, and if they don’t love it, no matter how much you do, it will not sell or have the impact you expect.

Chip Kidd, The Cheese Monkeys

 Never fall in love with an idea. They’re whores: if the one you are with isn’t doing the job, there’s always, always, always another.

What you should take away from this…

No idea is set in stone. Pretend your idea is written on a chalkboard. You can always erase and start over or add tangents to the main idea, but always be ready to change something.

Many times we are stuck in businesses that are failing, and we wonder where are we going wrong. Why am I failing? When many times the answer is right before you, you fell just head over heels in love with an idea that is simply not working.

Plenty of times we see the signs, we hear the signals, but we refuse to adhere because our egos will not allow us.

But, remember this, when your business or venture fails it will already be too late. Accept criticism, seek feedback, do your research, and most of all, be ready to make changes. An idea is just that, an idea. It is a thought or a suggestion as to a possible course of action, it is not a law of nature.

Make changes.

Have you ever fallen in love with an idea?

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One Love,

Dave Anthony

Posted by:Dave Anthony

I am a Jamaican born Entrepreneur living in the United States. Adventurous, writer, weird, down to earth. Here I write about interesting stuff that educates, thrills and influences.

8 replies on “Never Fall In Love With an Idea”

  1. True words! Ego is such a…hard thing to rid ourselves of. Ego and attachment. I’m constantly working on such a thing, but it’s not easy. Ego is always lurking, always waiting on the sidelines to take a chance to make itself known. And it’s true: sometimes we have to go with ideas that are ours, but that will still appeal to others. That is a hard pill to swallow. I have a couple “failed” blogs under my belt. I learned a lot. But, I continue to learn more and I’m trying, trying again. 🙂
    And yes, I have truly, utterly fallen in love with exactly the wrong idea. It’s a bit like kissing a frog and wishing it were a dang prince.

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    1. Lol. Yes, I know that feeling. We never get rid of ego, it is a part of us I think. We just have to learn to separate it and think objectively when it really matters, such as in our businesses. Thanks for your comment Cynthia. One Love.

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    1. Thanks for your feedback Cecilia. Glad I could offer some insight. Definitely, ego stifles success many times because we are afraid of what others might think and how we’ll be portrayed, ego is debilitating. One Love.

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