The Zen of Success – Smart and Dumb
In the not too distant past approximately 35 years ago, if you had said you wanted to start a company that specialized in making software for computers, the reaction of most people would be to say it was a “dumb” idea. Of course we know that both Microsoft and Apple might see things a different way. A few other “dumb” ideas include a company that manufactures cars, putting a college yearbook online, and limiting updates to just 140 characters each time.
The real truth is that it’s easy to recognize a really “smart” new business concept as just that, but what’s extremely difficult is being able to recognize that the idea you think is just plain dumb, is really tomorrow’s huge breakthrough.
You must understand that what makes dumb, smart, is the ability to look at the world through a different lens from everyone else, and to ignore rules. You must be able to clear your mind of any limiting pre-conceived notions and assumptions, and disregard the ‘why’s’ and ‘how’s,’ and the ‘never-succeeded-before’. In addition, you need strong confidence, and the strength of passion to stand by that confidence when others (smart) will look you straight in the eye and say, “no way, no how, not ever.”
So, the real question to know the answer to is “how do you tell a good dumb idea from a bad dumb one?” The answer is actually quite simple, as “good dumb” ideas always create polarization, as some people will get it almost immediately and shower the “good dumb” idea with praise and affection. While others will say it’s ignorant, impossible, and run as far away from the idea as they can, and the one key you must focus on recognizing is that the fiercer the polarization, the smarter your dumb idea. Of course, in the end, dumb can be just plain ole dumb.
emAre you smart enough to tell the difference?/em
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