Why Some Of The Best Business Ideas Suck

October 26, 2008

Some of the best business ideas suck. Or at least, some people probably thought they did at one point. You see, coming up with business ideas isn’t really all that difficult. But choosing the best business ideas from the ones you do come up with and having the courage to believe in yourself is far more challenging.

The Business Ideas That Couldn’t Remain Secret

“And the things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those that got there first.” Steven Tyler

When you’re trying to come up with business ideas – don’t forget, you’re not the only one. So, if you do think of something that seems to be the best idea since the paperclip, be prepared to act upon it quickly.

A few years ago, I thought it might be a smart idea to write a modern version of Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. I would turn it into something that was easy for the majority of the Western world to understand.

But I decided it wasn’t one of my best ideas, as I could be accused of ripping off the original book. So I scrapped it. Then a couple of years later “The Secret” was released and the author did amazingly well.

So write down all your best business ideas, no matter how stupid they seem. Then do your research and prepare to act on them quickly. If you don’t – somebody else will. We all get our business ideas from the same sources, so the first to act will almost always win.

Also, if you do what I did and don’t act on a great business idea you had, don’t cry about it. You’ll never have the time to put all your best business ideas into practise. Just take it as confirmation that your ideas can and will work

Don’t Let Other’s Put A Dampner On Your Best Business Ideas

Do your own research to test the viability of your best business ideas. And get feedback from folk you know but remember, no matter how popular and successful these people are, they’re probably not in your line of business and may know very little about it.

In an interview I read on Forbes.com a couple of years ago, they asked a billionaire businessman about the worst business idea he’d ever heard. He said some guy wanted to build a themepark for adults and children. To him the idea was ridiculous. But it went ahead and the themepark was Disneyland, which turned out to be one of the best business ideas in the world (sorry, I can’t find the original interview. Life’s too short to dig potatoes).

You Have Access To The Best Business Ideas In The World – Don’t Waste Your Time On Crap

“Men spend their whole lives
Waiting praying for their big reward
But it seems sometimes
The payoff leaves you feeling
Like a dirty whore.” Jon Bon Jovi (Dry County)

As I said, coming up with business ideas is not that difficult. You have access to some of the best business ideas ever, so why waste your time on crap? You don’t need to exploit others, or lend your talent to something meaningless to be successful. If you put your effort into something that doesn’t give value to others, or even harms other people, you might make a lot of money but I doubt whether you’ll ever feel like a success.

Choose the business ideas that mean the most to you and makes best use of your talents.

And if you find it a struggle to come up with your own great business ideas, check out the Business Discovery Group. A couple of readers have already enjoyed the benefits of this excellent brainstorming group and I’m sure you will too.

Share and Enjoy:

Posted by cathlawson | Filed Under Ideas

Comments

14 Responses to “Why Some Of The Best Business Ideas Suck”

Barbara Swafford on October 27th, 2008 6:42 am

Hi Catherine – Can you imagine if you had written your own version of “Think and Grow Rich”? That would have been awesome. But on the other hand, we would have never met you. So selfishly speaking, I’m happy you didn’t.

You’re right. It is one thing to think or talk about an idea. If we believe in ourselves and the idea, it is imperative to act on it. The rest, as they say, may be history.

Barbara Swafford’s last blog post..A.S.K. Darren Rowse of Problogger – When Do We Know Our Blog Is A ?Winner?
cathlawson on October 27th, 2008 10:09 am

Hi Barbara – LOL – thank you. I don’t think I would have promoted it quite as well as the Secret author though. Apparently, they were v clever – leaving hints on discussion forums, realeasing a trailer to the video etc.

The acting on an idea is the hard part isn’t it? I guess that’s where a lot of people get stuck.
Kathy @ virtual Impax on October 27th, 2008 11:22 am

I agree with Barbara – I’m glad you chose this path!

As for the action part : Mary Kay Ash once said, “Ideas are a dime a dozen. People who implement them are priceless.”

I’ll have a “great” idea about every other day. However, I have yet to find one that I’m passionate enough about to dig in and start building.

Kathy @ virtual Impax’s last blog post..Achieve Success While Maintaining a Healthy Work Life Balance
cathlawson on October 27th, 2008 11:34 am

Kathy – I’m just LMAO at your response to Ari – regarding a wholistic dentist. I think he meant holistic – no wonder you didn’t know what he meant.

Kathy – re. The Secret Book, I’m kind of glad I didn’t go ahead. It simplified the idea too much and now half the people on the planet seem to have this idea that if they think about something it will happen. Imagine how lethal that would be.

Finding an idea you’re passionate about is important too isn’t it? Mind you – your 8 Week Blog Power course was an excellent idea. I wish we could come up with a way to give it the exposure it deserves.
Steps to Starting a Small Business: #1 - The Idea | Virtual Impax on October 27th, 2008 12:35 pm

[...] a matter of fact, if there’s a BETTER way to achieve failure, I can’t think of it. Some Of The Best Business Ideas begin not with a passion for money, but a passion for something other than [...]
John Hoff - eVentureBiz on October 27th, 2008 5:38 pm

Great post Cath. I’ve got a few ideas in my head (like making flavored coffee at home by using flavored coffee filters). I’ll probably never pursue it though.

I think it’s important to also keep in mind to not get too side tracked. You start a business but take on little money projects which detour you from your ultimate goal. Those little tasks will eat you alive.
cathlawson on October 27th, 2008 6:19 pm

Hi John – those coffee filters sound cool. I would use them.

I know what you mean about getting side tracked. Something which sounds like it won’t take up too much of your time can take over your life.
Davina on October 27th, 2008 10:29 pm

Hi Cath. “And the things that come to those that wait may be the things left by those that got there first.” Steven Tyler

For some reason, this made me laugh! It’s an excellent quote.

I believe some of us are idea magnets while others have the perseverance and know-how to execute the ideas. When you have both you have a winning combination.

I’m a strong idea person as I think most bloggers are. Through blogging on a regular basis we become exposed to a lot of ideas and a lot of fodder for new ideas. And those of us who continue to blog for years have also been exercising the muscles that make things happen.

Davina’s last blog post..Awakening To A Balanced Life
cathlawson on October 28th, 2008 2:21 am

Hi Davina – I’m glad you liked the Steve Tyler quote – Aerosmith is one of my favourite bands and I think he has amazing talent.

That’s a really good point you make re: exercising those idea muscles. I remember in my twenties struggling to come up with good ideas but I was doing a lot of academic writing at the time.

And that doesn’t seem to encourage new ideas to surface – because you’re not really having to think of things to write about.

But when you’ve got to think of new stuff to write every day – you usually have no shortage of ideas. Like you say though – it can be a struggle choosing from them.
Tom Volkar / Delightful Work on November 1st, 2008 5:42 pm

“Don’t Let Other’s Put A Dampner On Your Best Business Ideas”

So true and some of the most dampening opinions can come from loved ones who are really expressing their own fears. Their opinions have nothing to do with the quality of your ideas.
Don't Draw Your Ideas From The Big Melting Pot Of Confusion on November 2nd, 2008 11:26 pm

[...] Why Some Of The Best Business Ideas Suck Free Gift Ideas That Help You Sell More Social Media Leprosy And Other Problems 27 Ways To Fuel Your Imagination And Come up with Great Ideas [?] Share This Hi, Thanks for visiting. You might want to click here to sign up to my RSS feed, so you don’t miss anything important. [...]
Heroes Of Healing: Napoleon Hill on November 5th, 2008 3:15 pm

[...] Why Some Of The Best Business Ideas Suck [...]
Marelisa on November 10th, 2008 4:57 pm

Hi Cath: A lot of things that may sound ridiculous at first start to look like better and better ideas as they start to take shape. Anyone can see a good idea when it’s fully developed, the trick is to learn to see good ideas when they’re still in the acorn stage. I completely agree with you that there’s no lack of good ideas

Marelisa’s last blog post..100 Essential Life Lessons
Unique Christmas Gift Ideas For Business Owners on December 5th, 2008 2:45 pm

[...] FREE Still Makes Sales? Why Some Of The Best Business Ideas Suck The Everlasting Gift That Costs Nothing A Unique Christmas Gift For Folk Who Like To Read Get 2 [...]