Having A Leg to Stand On: Three Essentials for Any Idea

I love coming up with ideas and figuring out new projects. It's the most exciting feeling when someone goes from "Wouldn't it be crazy if we..." to "We actually need to do this." Gears start turning; additional ideas start flowing out; brainstorms begin to rumble. Before we know it, one single concept has grown from a cool project to a behemoth that seems impossible to do. It's usually at this point I get a call or a text message where someone needs help. 

Once we get to talking about this exciting idea, I usually get called the "dream-killer," the "idea-crusher," or "that mean guy." I wouldn't say I'm any of these things, but most ideas I hear aren't thought out to a point to move forward with it. I ask just a few questions (that always lead to more questions), but if you're able to answer these basic three, you'll find yourself with an excellent plan for getting your idea done. 

Who is this idea for?

This question never seems complicated; and to be honest, this question doesn't have to be complicated. However, this issue is the one that continues to stump most people. Every project, each idea, has at least one audience. This audience is whom the idea serves. It could be a personal project where the audience is yourself, but many times, the audience is external, helping a group of people who aren't us. 

To figure out our audience, we need to look at the basics. Look at age, gender, and interests. Also, look at things those people don't want. Figure out if your idea solves a problem people have. In the end, you should have a simple sentence or phrase that helps us focus on the right people. 

So why does this matter? No idea is perfect for all people, nor does it reach all people, and it's arrogant to think an idea will. Start with the basics, build an essential target audience that you want to, and can reach. Keep your audience in mind for every aspect of your project. Asking the question, "What do the people want?" keeps our emotions and personalities in check. 

What does your idea do?

Believe it or not, but many ideas don't serve a known purpose, which is a problem. We always need to be able to answer that question. If something simply looks cool, that's its purpose. If it's to make people aware of something, then that's its purpose. A purpose doesn't have to be grand or magnificent; it just needs to exist. Make it as practical as possible. Having a purpose written down lets us know when something does or doesn't work.

Many people turn their purpose into a mission statement, which is a great idea. Whatever you call it, every idea needs a reason to exits. When it comes to sharing ideas, answering questions about an idea's purpose also addresses the cynic in the room that says, "So what?" Your idea matters, and you need to be able to tell people why.

In the end, what will your idea have done?

This question seems close to your mission but comes across very differently. If your purpose is practical, this question focuses on the big picture. When all of the dust settles, what do you hope that this idea has done? If the purpose is to look cool, the result might be to inspire all people who look at it. 

This question is just as important to answer as the purpose. Knowing what this idea should have done in the end is a big thing. If your goal gives you a standard while the project is happening, this question provides us with a standard when it's done. 

Many people call this your vision statement. Where will this idea lead us? When everything is said and done, what should exist? 

Before you pitch an idea, try working through these questions. When you answer them, you'll find your ideas to be more fleshed out and harder to topple. With these three questions answered, any "dream-killer" will quickly find themselves out of a job, and you'll find people wanting to support your ideas even more.