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Bad Ideas are a Necessity

Posted in Creativity by bradbarbour on August 21, 2007

I found this quote today and I like it alot. Linus Pauling said, “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas.”

So many times we act like we’re scared to share our ideas because we’re scared of what other people will think. We care too much about what other people will think of our ideas. I think the thing that alot of us don’t realize is that a bad idea often sparks a good idea. Many times in our creative meetings a bad idea (and yes, some of them have been the stupidest things I’ve ever heard) has sparked and idea in someone else that led to something great. Even though the first thought in our mind may not work but it may be the start of something else.

So next meeting, be sure to let all ideas flow. There are such things as bad ideas, but they are a necessity for good ones to come to life.

10 Responses

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  1. technobility said, on August 22, 2007 at 5:26 am

    There’s another lesson in your thoughts. Yes – we are scared of what other people think – and that’s a powerful roadblock against most creativity.

    So… if we’re trying to build a creative work environment, one of the more useful strategies is to create a safe environment for new ideas. That’s a cultural change of the highest order, but the payback is exciting. Imagine a workplace where every sincere idea is applauded and made welcome. Think of the increased flow of creative juices when all the blockages are removed.

    Every obstacle in our path, such as “We’re afraid of ridicule” contains within it, a sometimes obvious, sometimes not so obvious, solution.

    Enjoy the day

  2. Eddie said, on August 22, 2007 at 10:59 am

    Brain-storming! If two brains (ideas) are better than one, then three, four, five (ideas) are better than….Brad your posts are always remarkably insightful, but here lately they have been downright challenging. THANKS! Keep it up!

  3. Dave Holt said, on August 22, 2007 at 11:07 am

    I agree with Technobility. Even though we have a “creative-safe” work environment at Lifepoint, I still find myself prefacing my ideas with, “This may be dumb, but…” Deep down, we all want our idea to be liked and championed by everyone on the team, but our fear of ridicule consumes us and we neglect to share our thoughts.

    Eddie, I am Brad’s inspiration in the office…humbly speaking of course….

  4. jill said, on August 22, 2007 at 12:57 pm

    dave your ideas are always dumb

    JK!! i like your random ideas :)

  5. Jim Henry said, on August 22, 2007 at 1:57 pm

    Couldn’t agree more Brad…This was a huge obstacle for me to overcome personally, but once I did, the creativity blossomed to a whole new level. Thanks for reminding me of that.

  6. Eddie said, on August 22, 2007 at 2:03 pm

    Okay Dave…well I guess that explains everything then. “The ever inspiring Bull! And the “Bull” part could have a number of meanings or inuendos. Snicker…

  7. larry keith said, on August 22, 2007 at 3:00 pm

    Stop it you guys!! You all Rock with great idea’s!! How can the thought and time to go into helping Life Point reach other souls ever be considered a bad idea? bad taste maybe but never a bad idea :-)
    Brad, Jeff, Jill, Tiffany, Big D, Dave (a.k.a. Rover) and the rest of the staff, your talent is 2nd to none and your love and passion for GOD is the same.
    SeaCoast church doesnt have anything on LifePoint, if anything he will leave “us” with our idea’s to use at his church.
    I bet they still use PC’s istead of Mac’s :-)

  8. bradbarbour said, on August 22, 2007 at 3:18 pm

    Oh I’ve heard some bad ideas Larry. I’m not mentioning names but ummm sometimes he like to play Red Rover. :D J/K but Dave you’re right. I still think it’s funny that we’re like, “This may be gay… or this may be dumb but…” It always is funny!

  9. Rachel Honeycutt said, on August 22, 2007 at 7:52 pm

    Of course. I think it’s all great! Hope you guys are doing good. Tell Jill I said hey.

  10. Friday Links | Deep Thoughts... Maybe said, on August 24, 2007 at 4:22 pm

    [...] After that, I made the decision to start bringing a lot of ideas to the table in every meeting so that we can find the really great ones. Because bad ideas are a necessity. [...]


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