Many of my entrepreneurial clients often come to me with their ideas in early stages of their venture. Although some of them bring ideas that appear good on paper, others come having done much work on their concepts, and even having built working models of their products or concepts. When they showcase their idea to me, they are all excited and are full of energy about what their idea is going to do to change the world. So, when I ask them where they need my help, they often relate to those who have told them that their idea is not going to work. In many cases these skeptics are investors or VCs, whose funding is critical to the next phase of the client’s venture.
Such an obstacle is not just limited to an investor’s skepticism. Throughout our lives we come up with ideas that we feel are worth pursuing—even something that will benefit your place of work. Often, new ideas need validation, or other ideas to make them work. Sometimes, we even need someone’s commitment to make our idea come to life, such as their money, support, or ongoing expertise.
In the early stages of many such ideas, skeptics will often shy away from getting involved, which is most notable when it comes to investing money or resources. They may even tell you that whatever it is that you are pursuing cannot be done, often supporting their argument with some specious reasoning or excuses that seem plausible. In most cases what it means is that they are trying to dissuade you from pursuing what you believe in, because they themselves see no way of doing what you are trying to do. That is it!
So, the next time you wish to pursue something to change the world in a small or a big way—something that may even change how your company is run—and someone says that it cannot be done, do not walk away discouraged. Walk away triumphant, instead, because you are now going to do something that they think that they cannot do!
Now, isn’t that empowering?
So, here are my suggestions for you to do, when others tell you that cannot be done:
- Once you develop your idea, vet it in its nascent state with some research, or validate with proxies that convince you that you are on the right track.
- Continue to refine your ideas by trying it on others, or on potential customers, and use their inputs to further refine your original idea. If your idea is radically different, do not believe in focus groups, but just on your instincts. Remember, if Henry Ford had held focus groups they would have come back to him with a request for a faster horse.
- Find Early Adopters, who are most inclined to make your idea work, and who enthusiastically embrace what you are trying to do. Use their feedback to further refine your idea to expand to the next enthusiastic group.
- Expand your reach, and evaluate if your idea stands the test of a broader audience, and further refine it.
- If you cannot find financial support, bootstrap your idea with whatever you can rustle, and show your commitment through sacrifice, dedication, and passion.
Remember, if you really believe in your idea, only you have the best chance of making it work!
Good luck!