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- How to Keep Your Ideas Alive (Even When Everyone Says They Won’t Work)
How to Keep Your Ideas Alive (Even When Everyone Says They Won’t Work)
Girvin
December 30, 2024
Sponsored by
I’m sure we’ve all been there.
That feeling of despair when you pitch an idea you truly believe in, and the room goes silent. Or worse – someone laughs that laugh that says, “How cute that you thought this would work.”
Three years ago, I pitched an idea that literally made my boss laugh—not the good kind, but the "oh, you sweet summer child" kind that makes you want to crawl under your desk.
Today, that same idea fuels our top-performing initiative.
What changed wasn’t the idea itself, but how I handled the resistance.
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It is so important not to confuse skepticism with outright rejection.
Skepticism is actually a pretty important first step when it comes to believing in an idea.
Every time we hear someone say, "That’s not how we do things around here," we get a chance to show them why our way might be worth a shot.
First they ignore you. Then they ridicule you. And then they attack you and want to burn you. And then they build monuments to you
When considering what makes new ideas work well, here’s something important to keep in mind:
Many of us often mix up persistence with stubbornness.
But it's not always about pushing harder; sometimes, it’s about finding smarter ways to tackle the challenges to your ideas.
Think about it. Successful innovators are defined by their ability to persevere through challenges and failures.
There are many examples, but consider:
Dyson Vacuum: James Dyson created 5,271 prototypes before developing a successful vacuum cleaner.
WD-40: This popular lubricant got its name from being the 40th attempt to create a degreaser and rust-protection solvent.
So, how can you better tackle challenges to your ideas?
Yep, I have a framework for you.
Try the SHIELD framework for protecting your ideas (and your sanity):
S - Strategic patience (Play the long game)
H - Hear the resistance (Mine the gold in “no”)
I - Information gathering (Build your case)
E - Evolve, don’t abandon (Flex, don’t fold)
L - Lead with results (Show, don’t tell)
D - Document progress (Build momentum)
Let’s get it:
