Ideas mean nothing

(Image via)

Ideas, we all have them. They seem to pop-up like fireflies in the night sky. And like fireflies they seem to disappear in a flash, sucked in by the void. It takes a very brave and persevering soul to bring ideas to life. It does not matter whether the ideas were a success or a failure when finally developed. The fact that the ideas finally came into play is an achievement in itself.

You can find these brave souls in every walk of life. An ability to execute their ideas no-matter-what is the DNA plug that sets them apart. I have immense admiration for them.  I keep tossing lot of ideas but never gotten round implementing even one of them. It can be depressing especially when you see the very idea doing the rounds.

I hope to close the gap between idea(s) and execution thanks in large measure due to inspiration I find in the online (social) world. One such inspiration is a wonderful piece by Derek Sivers.  I have reproduced below a simple formula by which he proves that idea is a multiplier of execution.

Ideas are worth nothing unless they are executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions.

Explanation:

AWFUL IDEA = -1

WEAK IDEA = 1

SO-SO IDEA = 5

GOOD IDEA = 10

GREAT IDEA = 15

BRILLIANT IDEA = 20

NO EXECUTION = $1

WEAK EXECUTION = $1000

SO-SO EXECUTION = $ 10,000

GOOD EXECUTION = $ 100,000

GREAT EXECUTION = $1,000,000

BRILLIANT EXECUTION = $ 10,000,000

To make a business, you need to multiply the two.

The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth only $20.

The most brilliant takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000.

That’s why I do not want hear people’s ideas.

I want to see their executions.

What are you waiting for?

You've just gotta fight your way through

(Via)


The above statement is attributed to Ira Glass. 


It is meant for beginners is what the poster says. It resonates with me, loud and clear. I have been pottering around in the digital world for over 2 years now. The last 4 months have been particularly intense as I have taken on a full-time role. In the digital space, I can see the relevance of this statement every minute. From the conception of an idea (even the most basic) to its final execution requires one to fight their way through. I guess, this also holds true for most other creative jobs. Therefore, save this poster and be inspired even against the heaviest odds.

This is why you work in advertising

"Don't tell my mother I work in an advertising agency - she thinks I play piano in a whorehouse". Jacques Seguela


The picture and the oft repeated line above made me smile. I came across it in an interesting post here. The author quoting Jaron Larnier the digital visionary extensively, makes lot of interesting points. You might want to check them out.   

7 Deadly Sins Of Marketing

Tom Fishburne hits the spot every time with his cartoons. Anyone even remotely connected to marketing and communication will agree with this one too. The saddest thing is that anyone from the agency business with enough experience (>10 years) would have been a reluctant or willing accomplice to the 7 deadly sins at one point of time or the other. Sigh, the cross we all have to bear.