GarthBox

In nearly ever entrepreneurial group I visit, there’s always someone concerned with another stealing their idea. Here’s a quick list of why it doesn’t matter.

1. Anyone that could possibly steal your idea and turn it into reality before you undoubtedly needs to pitch it to someone for their approval or investment. And… to pitch it, they need to put a lot of work into it.
2. If someone cared about the idea you have as much as you, they would have done it already.
3. Even if someone does steal your idea and executes it before you, there’s a 100% chance that it won’t match what you envisioned. (They’ll go through the process of choosing a different contractor/vendor, different staff, different designs, different missions and core values, different everything.)
4. If someone wants to steal your idea, I say good. You’ve got two choices, hide and don’t execute your idea or find a way to make yours even better than theirs.
5. Along those same lines, let them steal the idea so you can watch what NOT to do with your idea.
6. No one has gotten rich off an idea. Anyone can have the same idea as you and neither will benefit. That is, unless someone acts on it.
7. If someone seems interested in stealing your idea, get to know them. They might become the best partner or supporter of that idea.
8. You will have to share your idea to the world before it truly comes to fruition. You’ll want people to sign up in advance or the media will want to know what you’re planning or you’ll need to pitch it to some investors or people at your work are going to ask what you did over the weekend.

If you need more reasons to not care about an idea getting stolen, let me know.

Stay Positive & Better To Simply Focus On Bringing The Idea To Life

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Is it the weather impacting your knee or the stress?

Is it his fault or her fault?

Is it better to develop this kind of content or that kind of content?

Or often puts a wedge into progress. It’s far better to connect dots and build bridges than it is to create islands with an or statement.

“And” is magic.

There’s a reason it’s used in improv and effective team building strategies. There’s a reason it encourages us to see the big picture. There’s a reason it elevates ideas and solutions.

“Or” might get you where you want to go. Eventually.

“And” will get you there much more quickly and with more joy to the journey.

Stay Positive & …..

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Someone can’t be as moved by a book as you were if it stays on your bookshelf.

Someone can’t fund your idea if the full scope of it isn’t written down.

Someone can’t give you a promotion if you’re not the one speaking up in the room.

Progress requires vulnerability.

Damn, is it magic once you embrace it.

Stay Positive & No More Hiding

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It pays to assume the client is going to ask some really good questions.

It helps to assume the recruiter is going to ask some really good questions.

It’s beneficial to assume the bank loan officer is going to ask some really good questions.

The better the questions you assume you’ll be asked, the better you’ll be able to answer them.

What’s great is even if the questions aren’t as good, aren’t as thorough, aren’t as deep as you role-played, you’ll still provide some really excellent answers.

After all, they’re assuming you will.

Stay Positive & Prepare Now

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Distractions aren’t all bad.

The ones that stop us from doing meaningful work – sure, we could do without those.

But then there are the benefits of a silver lining to distract you from the grey cloud; what you can give to distract you from what you weren’t given; and so on.

Stay Positive & Choose Your Distractions Wisely

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Are you writing enough? Are you finishing the project quick enough? Are you running at a sustainable rate to see growth but not burn out?

Shit doesn’t go according to your plan, do you have a friend to call? You’re trying to DIY a repair on your house, do you know someone who can help?

Do you know how to get out of the rut you’re in? Are you thinking outside the box enough?

In all of these scenarios, it sure does help to have someone to text, call or simply talk to. Which begs the real question: are you regularly connecting with new people?

Stay Positive & Connect For A Win-Win

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The big breweries of 10 years ago never imagined that they’d be putting as much fruit puree in their beers as they are now.

Scientists of yester never imagined that they’d discover a fifth tasting receptor on our tongue.

The publishers of old never imagined that they’d be competing against anyone with an internet connection.

Alas. The challenge isn’t to think of the unimaginable and act on it, per say, but merely be open to inching your way toward it.

Creating something unimaginable is done with the power of six words…

“How can we make this better?”

Notice that it’s not how can we make something different. Different is easy enough to do, but the sad part is that different doesn’t always stick. Better, on the other hand, better always lasts… that is… until better arrives again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

Until we look back and realize we’ve done something we never imagined we’d do all that time ago.

Stay Positive & Make Magic Happen

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