Hello,
Can You Keep a Secret?
Give Your Big Idea a Chance.
1. Inspirational Cartoon:
2. Inspirational Thought:
Do you own an Apple ipod?
I remember when the ipod first came out. I was surprised. Baffled. Intrigued. It didn't resemble any music device I'd ever seen before.
Although Apple, the company, is synonymous with the late Steve Jobs, like any big corporation, the products are the result of the efforts of a multitude. Designers, engineers, manufacturers, marketers, to name a few.
And the ipod is no different. In fact, its innovative design is the brainchild of Senior Vice President for Design, Jonathan Ive, and his team. While Jobs set the vision, it was the task of Ive and his team to translate it into the minimalist, sleek and shiny creation that it became. And they didn't stop there. Following the ipod, Ive and his team brought out the equally brilliant iphone and ipad.
Where did all their cool ideas come from?
I have read that Apple is famous for its secrecy. It guards its research and development zealously. No doubt to protect themselves from competitors sniffing at their heels.
But there is another reason for the secrecy. According to Ive, it's this:
Ideas are fragile.
When asked in an interview about working for Apple, Ive replied (I paraphrase):
Ideas are so fragile. It’s so easy to miss an idea or snuff it out because they can be so quiet.
Well, we all have ideas, don't we?
We come up with them all the time. Ideas for what to wear; what to cook; what movie to watch.
But have you ever come up with a big idea?
Maybe for a new business. A movie screenplay. Or invention. If so, where did it come from?
Ive says that many of their ideas are conjured up while eating pizza in their office kitchen. You might get yours in bed or on the toilet. It doesn't really matter where they come from.
The important thing is--when the big idea strikes, what do you do?
3. Inspirational Tip:
How to nurture a big idea.
Can you keep a secret?
When an idea comes to us, often it's not fully formed. We may catch a whiff of it. Or see it flash through our minds.
We may not grasp the whole picture of what it is or what it could become, but we know when it's a good idea. Or a big one.
How? Because we get excited by it.
But like a lot of ideas, if we don't act on them, they can also get lost. The irony is, the bigger the idea, the easier it is to dismiss.
In the cold light of day, we start to question it. We argue that it's too big. Or worse, that it's nonsense.
Unsure, we may be compelled to confide in someone. Unfortunately, even those close to us may not share the same vision. An idea can be hard to digest if it doesn't come wrapped in a neat package. And if our nearest and dearest don't understand it, one shake of the head or sigh could be enough to discourage us.
What's the solution?
If your idea comes in a whisper, I recommend you hear it out first.
Keeping an idea secret isn't necessarily leaving people out. It's not about being selfish. Until you're ready to share, you're merely giving it space.
Because of the secrecy, Ive and his team were able to focus, test and nurture their ideas until they were ripe enough to be unveiled. It's so easy to be sidetracked by people telling us what and how to do things.
If you keep your big idea secret, you allow yourself to be comfortable with it. More importantly, you allow it to unfold according to your own vision.
While we certainly learn from the experiences and knowledge of others, there is a wisdom inside us that we often take for granted.
So the next time you come across a big idea, don't go broadcasting it just yet.
Cut out the noise and listen.
Keeping your idea a secret may just be the chance it needs.
Jonathan Ive is an interesting man. Click on the link to read more about Ive. This interview is also fascinating.
Have any big ideas? If you think your idea is crazy, Olajubu A. Michael (aka Jacobs Adewale) wrote an inspiring poem about having the courage to be yourself.
Well, that's all for now. I'll speak to you soon.
Can you keep a secret?
I think so!
I hope you enjoyed this issue.
Have any comments? Ideas? Feedback? Anything. I'd love to hear from you. Contact me and let me know.
If you have a friend who would appreciate receiving I Think So!, please forward this issue.
If a friend has passed this on to you, you can get your own free subscription by signing up at my website, Pure-Inspirational-Thoughts.com.
The sign-up box is on the right hand column of my home page. You'll also find it at the top of the navigation bar on most of my pages.
|
