by Charlotte L. Hanna CMO/Director of PMR/CMBS Global
It happens to the best of us…one day you stare at your calendar, blog page, your colleagues or staff and admit that you have run out of ideas. And it will be up to you to choose whether to remain in that barren place – or welcome the “option of adoption” of other’s ideas.
You could be pregnant with an idea, so small that it has simply gone unnoticed. Check to see if you can find it and patiently nurture it along. Maybe you thought you had an idea, but lost it. Or maybe you have been carrying an idea, hesitating to make it known to others because you believe “it’s not special enough…it’s already been done.” You could be right…good ideas aren’t easy to come by. But before you decide it unworthy and declare it unfit ask yourself (and those upon whom you rely), “But…has (it) been done THIS way?” Continue to ask that question until you hit upon a “THIS” that results in either a firm “No” or a “Not as far as we know” response. Then, determine why not?
Some ideas have already proven to be unsuccessful and there is real value in learning from the trials and/or mistakes of others. It is generally referred to as wisdom. Yet, there will always be those orphaned opportunities among us; abandoned out of fear, laziness, irresponsibility or even an inability to follow through – and, of course, never forget about those ideas conceived, but never birthed.
When you run out of ideas and conception is truly impossible for you, there is always the option of adoption. Consider adopting an orphaned ‘brainchild’ – and don’t forget to send out the P.R. announcements…once you’ve legally made it your own.
"Little Boy Thinking" image by David Castillo Dominici
