You do realise that there's a good chance that almost every great idea you can think about has been discovered, created, discussed, published already?
And yet...
Don't be discouraged by this fact because you should be motivated by it instead.
Huh?
Your goal is to use this knowledge and complete your product or service better.
What do I mean?
Let me give you an example. Does the name David Karp ring any bells with you?
What about the name Tumblr?
Yep! He was the creator and founder of that website.
Do you think people were posting photos, quotes, links, music or videos on the internet prior to its existence?
Do you think in Feb 2007, David already knew this too and thought: "Nah. Won't bother as there's no need or room in the internet world for my idea"
Well the answer to that question can be seen their about webpage, where you'll see how far Tumblr has come since its first sighting in the internet search results.
Have a guess on how many Tumblr posts are in existence today. See if you're right by visiting here: https://www.tumblr.com/about
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| How many time will this jigsaw puzzle be finished by someone new? |
Okay even if you take your idea and it flops, does this mean you stop and give up?
Did you quit trying to learn how to use a keyboard or mouse after the first attempt?
No!
Do you realise that they are many variations of keyboards, mobile phones, iMac, Windows, tablets?
Yes!
Unless you attempt to get that project out of your head, onto paper then fully created and ready for customers, it will just stay in your head - where no one can buy.
The point of this article is to show you that there is room for your idea to become a better product or service and join the others already out there - just like the many variations of most things around you.
Do you recall the examples in the chapter titled: But It Has Been Done Before
Think of films you have watched, stories you have read or television series that got you hooked. Betcha that you can dwindle them down to about 6 consistent plots. Am I right and I have to ask do you notice this when watching or reading because so engrossed?
Heck, I bet you can even predict the endings sometimes, no matter how many twists and turns are in the storyline.
What about those films or books that you have watched or re-read time and time again? Why do you do that?
AWASH WITH COMPETITION
Are your competitors really competitors though?
You should never see them as competition.
Why?
Because your targeted customer is slightly different and so is your customer care and personality that shows in your product and service!
Taking a look at the phone apps industry as another example.
Already there are two different popular customers.
One type likes Apple apps and the other Android apps. (I am an Android meself). They both have their share of customers.
Yes, you’ll have your failures as you go along but after awhile these “small” failures won't even phase you because you get to the point when you don’t even realise that they are or were 'failures' because you look upon them as yet another confirmation of how not to do something.
It's a good thing when you reach that realisation step though because you may not realise it as a failure as you're so focused and driven to getting that target completed!
If wanting more encouragement to keep going and dispel your lingering doubts, I suggest have a re-read of the chapter titled: But It Has Been Done Before and also have a look at at these recommend autobiographies below of well known people who didn’t let a previous product / service on sale stop them from putting theirs out to the world to buy.
RECOMMENDED BOOKS:
Choose any of these 4 choices of books found here on Amazon website about Alan Sugar is all I can say!
Did you know that he started selling car aerials and electrical goods out of a van and as they say the rest is history?
Virgin Way
This book tells the story of Richard Branson who founded the Virgin company in 1970 as a mail order record retailer and progressed from there.
Zappo
This book tells the begins of this company that was founded in 1999 when Nick Swinmurn, failed to find a pair of brown Airwalks at his local mall. Later that year, he approached Tony Hsieh and Alfred Lin with the idea of selling shoes online and again as they say the rest is history.
Founders At Work
This book is a inspiring collection of 32 interviews with founders of famous technology companies like Steve Wozniak (Apple), Max Levchin (PayPal), and Sabeer Bhatia (Hotmail).
The main point to consider here is, the above founders of famous companies that we know today, were not the first and yet still just got on with it and went ahead with their idea.
If you go into something with the mindset that "Its not going to work" then you'll make sure you find a way that it doesn't.
BTW: I have complied a two question based survey where I am asking your request to help me with my next book title.
Got less than a minute to help me?
Find out more here.
We'll catch up again in my next email!
Image credit: Pixabay 255947
