So last year, I was talking to a colleague about her lacking the discipline to stop eating chocolates to lose weight.
And I thought I came up with a genius idea. The idea was this: I suggested she transfer $1000 into my bank account – and at the end of the year, if she had achieved her desired weight, she could earn back that money.
I thought it was a fabulous idea because no one wants to lose $1000. My friend contemplated it only for a tiny moment – before wisely declining the offer (in case you’re wondering, I would have given her back her money whether or not she lost the weight).
But I stand by my sentiment that the most effective way to achieve a challenging goal is to put your money where your mouth is.
So imagine my surprise when I was reading @dorie clarke (another of my favourite writers) and in her book Reinvent Yourself, she talks about a company called stickK.com.
Essentially, if you really want to achieve a goal, you make a pledge to yourself and put money on the line to achieve that goal. Imagine that! An online service that helps you achieve your goals.
So the key thing here is my realisation that I actually have some practical and interesting great ideas. I just need to do something with them – instead of trying to convince random friends and colleagues of the value of these ideas (and they in turn think I’m just weird and need to focus on more important things).
Has that ever happened to you? You have an idea – and your friends say it will never work, and the next thing you know, a new company based on an idea you had is going through an IPO and the founder will be worth billions in this wacky world?
#newideas #innovativethinking
