A recent conversation with Latharia got me thinking about how we get ideas, and how much we learn just by talking them over with people whose opinions matter to you. And that reminded me of this little nugget I jotted down a couple years ago, in a slightly different formￜ
Weï¿œve all seen those chain letters, the ones where you put your name at the bottom of a list of 10 people and send a dollar to the guy at the top, and in three weeks you can retire to a small island in the Caribbean. Iï¿œve never tried one of these things before, so I canï¿œt say if they work or not. I can say that if everyone Iï¿œd send the letter to would be half as skeptical as I am, Iï¿œd never see a dime.
Thereï¿œs a similar concept, though, that I can guarantee results from. It doesnï¿œt have a snazzy name just yet, so for now weï¿œll call it the Idea Pyramid. Hereï¿œs how it works: gather your one or two absolute best ideas, the things you think are particularly true or unique or clever or funny. Polish them up a bit, really put some of your soul into the ideas. Then share them with the people closest to you. Take pains to make them understand your ideas completely, to see all the cool twists and turns of your self that are reflected in them.
Now, hereï¿œs the hard part. Donï¿œt ask what they think about your ideas. Youï¿œre not looking for affirmation here, but rather for a return on your investment. That return will come in the form of your friend sharing her ideas with you. It may not happen right away, and with some people it might not happen at all. But hereï¿œs the great thing: if you get any return at all, youï¿œve gained something wonderful without spending a thing. The idea you shared? You havenï¿œt lost itï¿œin fact, itï¿œs probably become clearer even to yourself by the telling. And that gift from your friend is something you might never have gotten otherwise.
