Have you ever had a great idea but were too afraid to share it? You thought others may steal it? Well you're not alone. Closet entrepreneurs everywhere have been doing this for decades. Tell em you’re stealing it. Sounds brash I know, and you may lose a few over it but if you give me just 2 minutes, you’ll see you’re doing them a huge favour. friends When someone shares an idea with you, they’re really looking for validation. They want support, albeit emotional or practical, which encourages them to act. Problem is, most people don’t have the courage to act – regardless of the idea. Instead they cautiously share the idea with you, ask you to keep it tight lipped and hope that it doesn’t get out. Ever. By anyone. This mentality offers very low peer influence, suffers constructive feedback and not to mention very few people ever steal anyway. (See my post on MVP hacks to pitch) . People don’t own ideas That’s right, ideas are just thoughts and nothing more and have no material value without action. Don’t be the ideas man, be the action man – like Captain America. The next time someone tells you an idea you think rocks, tell them ‘that sounds like a really great idea and I can see it working. I think you should act now. Because if you don’t I’m going to do it myself.’ . No bigger motivator This simple, direct and potentially soul crushing statement is also the biggest motivator you could offer your friend. And that’s what you really want to do right? Motivate. We want to see our friends take action and live the life they desire – not hide in the shadows of criticism and mediocacy. If on the flip side, your friend becomes precious and ‘pissed off’ kindly share this article ;)
