Shaping a Great Idea into Reality

“Too many people take their dreams to the graveyard. Under the rectangular pieces of sod are songs yet unsung, books left unwritten, and masterpieces that were never painted. If I could mine the potential out of one graveyard, I’d be the richest person on earth!” 

I once heard Wayne Cordeiro, best-selling author and founding pastor of New Hope Fellowship Church in Hawaii, make this observation. It has stuck with me. As someone who believes that ideas can and have changed our world, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to bring about impact. I’m not alone. Words like “ideation” and “innovation” have become buzzwords for our culture, including our churches. But a new—and much needed—conversation is starting that gives hope to actualizing our dreams. A growing number of leaders and experts are examining and talking about what it takes to move ideas forward and make them happen.

We talked to some ideaters with notable track records who freely shared their insights for what it takes to move an idea forward. Out of those conversations, specific principles and truths emerged.

Idea-Shaping Principle No. 1

Yes, implementing an idea is hard work.

A new idea is often inspiring, life giving, and full of hope, notes social entrepreneur Jeff Shinabarger, who has brainstormed and implemented ideas for numerous creative and cause-oriented projects like GiftCardGiver.com and Plywood People, an innovative community addressing social needs through sustainable goods, awareness campaigns, and creative services.

“Having an idea is really exciting, but the true value comes in the hard work of implementation,” Shinabarger says. “People who implement rise quickly in influence.”

Idea making requires a high level of intentional planning, strategy, and hard work. Unfortunately, too many creative leaders have given themselves a false sense of permission not to organize, all in the name of artistry and creativity. But reality is that most creative people who live out their dreams have actualized their passion through intentional planning and hard work.

Creativity requires organization.

Creative research companies like Behance, founded by Scott Belsky, author of Making Ideas Happen, have rightly pointed out that ideas are, as Thomas Edison famously quipped, “one percent inspiration and 99 percent perspiration.” A lack of organizational “gifting” should never be an excuse for a lack of implementation.

Bottom line: There are no magical shortcuts from idea to implementation. Read the rest of the article.

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charleslee@churchleaders.com'
Charles is the CEO & Chief Idea-Maker at Ideation, a brand innovation company that specializes in helping businesses & organizations build remarkable brands via innovative business design, organizational change architecture, brand integration, design, web, and marketing services. He is also the author of Good Idea. Now What?: How to Move Ideas to Execution, a practical book designed to help people move ideas to implementation. Charles is regularly invited to speak to leading companies and organizations on topics such as creativity, innovation, idea-making, and branding. Executive leaders from brands including Wells Fargo, Toyota, The White House, Catalyst, William Morris Endeavor, mun2, Council of Urban Professionals, Chick-fil-A, and many others have benefited from having Charles present at their key events.