The Power Of An Idea
IDEAS
The word “i
dea” comes from the same source as the Greek verb “IDEAN” or “TO SEE.”
Everything you see, have seen or will see is first an idea. Do you ever hear yourself say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” Or, “I thought of that a long time ago!” It is said that for each person who has a great idea, there are at least 40 more who have the same idea. Whoever takes action ON that idea will be the one who “discovers” it and gets the accolades.
So, if you have a good idea, we want to help you bring it to fruition. We want you to be the one who brings it to life and to light! OR, if you’re looking for that life changing IDEA, allow US to find it for you!
“Today currency is the idea, but tomorrow ideas will be the currency. Now more than ever before what we need as businesses, as individuals, as a society is ONE thing: IDEAS.
New, vital, raw, hot, bracing, challenging paradigm shifting ideas.” ~ Joey Reiman
WARNING: Some of the best ideas in the world were never materialized because their creators were discouraged by others who said they were impossible. So, if you have a good idea (and we believe ALL ideas are good ideas at some level), only share it with those who will support you 100% – and should you encounter a “nay sayer,” move on – quickly. Check out the Critic’s Corner below to see what we mean.
Ideas change lives
The magic of inspiration, the way a person’s ideas, vision and creativity can change lives is much the same way a pebble thrown into a pond sends out ripples far from the place it originally lands.
“A big idea is an idea that makes a dent in the Universe.”
~ Steven Jobs, Co-founder and CEO of Apple Inc. and former CEO of Pixar Animation Studios
“The empires of the future are the empires of the mind.”
~ Winston Churchill, British politician, Prime Minister; a noted statesman and orator; historian, writer, and artist;
received the Nobel Prize in Literature and the second person to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States
Elmer R. Gates (1859-1923), who held dozens of patents, made his living “sitting for ideas.” His tools were a quiet room, a pen, blank paper, and his mind.
Ben Franklin epitomizes the power of ideas from just one man. Over two hundred years ago he invented the battery, he helped draft the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. He created a new kind of bathtub, bifocal glasses, and ironing machine and he wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.
Sadly, too often creativity is smothered rather than nurtured.
There has to be a climate in which new ways of thinking, perceiving, questioning are encouraged.”
~ Maya Angelou, autobiographer and poet
Humphrey O’Sullivan of Boston was determined to find a job. He walked the streets day after day. Tired of his shoes taking a beating, he invented rubber soles.
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
~ Oliver Wendell Holmes
Kemmons Wilson, a high school dropout, wanted to stay in a hotel near a highway with good parking, but without the “fru fru” lobby and expensive restaurant. He had an idea, “the world needs a “motel.”" His ideas became a decision and applied action. Within a few years, Wilson built what would become the largest motel chain in the world: Holiday Inns.
“The world is moving so fast these days, that the man who said it can’t be done, is generally interrupted by someone doing it.” ~ Harry Fosdick, well-known clergyman to the Rockerfeller’s; cover of Time Magazine 1930
Critic’s Corner
“The problem with true genius is that it takes near genius to recognize it.”
~ Unknown
Just a few examples of people who didn’t listen to the ones who said it couldn’t be done.
“Everything that can be invented has been invented.” ~ Charles H. Duell, Director of the U.S. Patent Office, 1899
“Our book Chicken Soup for the Soul was rejected by publishers 144 times before a publisher got it!” ~ Jack Canfield, Co-author of the best selling Chicken Soup for the Soul. Since 1993 more than 112 million copies have sold with titles translated into 40 languages. In 2008 Chicken Soup for the Soul became the best selling trade paperback series in the history of publishing.
“It’s a cutthroat business and you’ve got no chance of success.” ~ The attorney of cosmetic tycoon Mary Kay Ash, weeks before she opened her first store.
“You can’t play the piano and God knows you can’t sing. You’d better learn how to weave chairs so you can support yourself.” ~ A comment by Ray Charles’s teachers.
“There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom.” ~ Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923
“There’s no market for it. If there were, major airlines would already be offering it. You won’t be able to find reliable carriers.” ~ Conclusion of advisors to Fred Smith, founder of Federal Express. By the way . . . Fred Smith’s college term paper was on the concept of creating Federal Express. His grade was a “C” with the comment from his professor: “This is not a conceivable or workable idea.”
“You have a nice voice, but it’s nothing special.” ~ A high school teacher who rejected Diana Ross for a high school musical.
“Who the hell wants to hear actors talk?” ~ Harry Warner, Warner Brothers Pictures, 1927
“Heavier than air flying machines are impossible.” ~ Lord Kelvin, President, Royal Society 1835
“You’re a good editor with a promising future in the business. Why would you want to throw that all away to try to be a writer? I read your book. Frankly, it’s not really that good.” ~ NY Publisher’s comments to James Michener about his first book, “Tales of the Pacific,” which won a Pulitzer Prize.
“You’re foolish to try to sell sparkling water in the land of Coca-Cola drinkers.” ~ Advice given to Gustave Leven by several consulting firms when hearing about his plans for selling Perrier water in the U.S.
“It’s a huge risk and it will never fly.” ~ Aeronautical engineer’s evaluation of Bill Lear’s design for a jet.
“Sensible and responsible women do not want to vote.” ~ Grover Cleaveland, 1905
”A global twenty four hour news network will never work.” ~ Network executives response to Ted Turner’s plans for CNN.
Before Norman Vincent Peale became an “overnight” success with his 1952 book The Power of Positive Thinking his greatest critic threw his manuscript in the trash! His greatest critic was himself. Yes, he threw his manuscript in the trash because he didn’t think it was good enough or mean anything to anyone else. Thank goodness we each have at least one person to support us through our doubts and fears, he had Ruth, his loving wife, friend and partner who pulled the manuscript (and him!) from the garbage bin (mindset) and told him to publish it anyway. The rest is history (or, “her”story!)
Addendum to Peale’s story: When Peale came under heavy criticism from the mental health community for his controversial book “The Power of Positive Thinking,” his business partner, friend, co-author with Peale of other books, and psychoanalyst Smiley Blanton, distanced himself from Peale and refused to endorse the book. Blanton refused to allow Peale to use his name in “The Power of Positive Thinking,” refused to publicly endorse the book, and refused to publicly defend Peale when he came under criticism.
Between 1952 and 1956 The Power of Positive Thinking sold 2 million copies. This was before the power of the Internet and television marketing. It was on the New York Best Sellers List for 186 consecutive weeks.To date it has sold over 5 millions copies in 15 languages.
“Today the industries of the mind ship tons of idea freight that travel in nanoseconds.
The weight of an idea is no longer measured by a scale.
Steel weighs more than microchips but microchips are far more valuable than steel.”
~ Joey Reiman