A few days back I wrote a post that asked: "Your idea. Is it time to throw the baby out with the bath water?". The premise was that there may be a time when you've tried everything and have given it all the time and nurturing it could have needed. And that, despite the painful admission, it is time to move on. After thinking about this for a few days, I feel a need to present the other side . . .
There are very few things in life that start out with a bang. A new business, a new blog or a new magazine all take time to "become". Need a visual image?
Have you ever been to a wedding where they create that champagne waterfall? If not, imagine a champagne glass pyramid with a base of a hundred glasses and a progressively smaller number of glasses as you move up. At the very top of this pyramid is a single glass.
When the waiter begins, they slowly fill the very top glass. Once that top glass is filled, the waiter does not stop, right? As a result, the champagne cascades gently over the edge and into the glasses below. The more that gets poured, the more quickly the glasses below are filled until all of the glasses are bubbling with cold and tasty liquid.
Also, the time it takes to fill that top glass may vary based on what you are trying to accomplish and in what industry. Your cost of champagne (cost to create and promote your product) may be twice the cost of mine!
As a new blogger, I worked hard to create interesting content here on Quixoting. I posted regularly and tried to reach out to other bloggers in the idea or entrepreneurial space. My results so far?
Well, as much as I'd like to tell you that the world is beating a path to my digital door, it's just not so.
Now, don't get me wrong. I did not start writing this blog to become famous or to make a bunch of money. I did it because I felt compelled to do so. And, at this point in life, I have decided that I need to act on my ideas and compulsions.
I've heard from a number of you and really appreciate your kind words. But, this entire blog is about taking action and about sharing the ideas that, for so long, languished in my idea book. Now I can proudly say, despite not being famous after 4 months, that I have already achieved one of my goals. I have acted.
Back to my original point.
Had my only goal been to attract a wide audience, I might see things differently. In fact, I might be thinking about whether it is time to hang it up. But the reality is that I need to keep pouring the champagne. If I stop, I already know the outcome (dry champagne glasses and unhappy wedding guests).
So I am motivated by the fact that you came to my wedding and are waiting for another glass of champagne. If I keep pouring, perhaps I can convince a few wedding crashers and a friends of yours to stop by for a glass. It's free, right?
My point is that everything takes time - often A LOT of time. After all, the world is a big place. Sometimes the internet feels even bigger.
So. Don't give up on your ideas.
And once you launch them, give them the time and opportunity to grow.
If you are reading this and especially if you've been with me for a while, thank you.
A champagne toast to you.
Cheers!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
Great post Tim, love the fact that you're willing to explore both sides of the coin. Also quite inspirational.
Posted by: Sean Stewart | January 08, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Hey Sean - Thanks a lot. Great to have your thoughts!
Posted by: Tim Tyrell-Smith | January 08, 2009 at 08:10 PM