Stop Panhandling your Ideas

When most people see panhandlers on the side of the road, we condescendingly think “Why don’t they get a job? You’re not going to get anywhere begging for money. Get to work!” Yet, this is what so many people do with their ideas - they put their fate in the hands of passerby’s hoping someone cares enough to give them a chance. It’s the equivalent of standing on an off-ramp holding a cardboard sign that reads “I have good ideas. Please pay me for them.”

We hesitate to do the actual task of shipping work out the door because it’s scary. The last question we want to ask ourselves is “Now what do I do?” It’s more comfortable to always be on the journey instead of arriving at the destination. If you’re always “working” on something you never risk failure or embarrassment. Save Draft will always get more clicks than Publish.

Instead of shipping we sell ourselves the lie that we have to wait for someone to help us. Someone to validate our work. Some gatekeeper to give us permission. Someone to brings us the final 90 feet home. If you are waiting, plan on waiting forever.

Your screenplay.

Your book.

Your business idea.

Your potential job.

Your next client.

The fate of your work lies in your hands. You don’t need permission. You don’t need the approval of a gatekeeper. No one will ever “discover” you in draft form.

Starting something has never been easier, but finishing is the only thing that matters.

People don’t read books that were 90% completed, watch movies only half made, or buy half a painting. To matter you have to finish and that’s entirely up to you.

Stop panhandling your ideas and ship your work.

5 April 2011 ·