“Real entrepreneurs incubate their ideas before implementing them”

I saw this one from one from one of those marketing media commonly placed beside elevator doors. (So, we can really get something out of these, can’t we?)

Four years ago, as a neophyte entrepreneur, I’ve been guilty of implementing an idea without really incubating it. As a result, one project, which cost a lot is, in my assessment a failure.

Let me offer ways to incubate an idea before implementing it.  These things aren’t only applied  to entrepreneurs. We can all use these in everyday decision making process.

How to incubate an idea:

1. Talk to your trusted friends about it. Gather their reactions.
2. Read materials on the internet or other off-line materials that talks about your idea.
3. Establish safety nets. We can call this calculated risks.
4. Last, and certainly not the least, pray about it. In your moments of silence with God, you can be convicted of either how great or how bad your idea is. It works for me.

I’m learning that as a new leadership principle. It can be applied to all aspects of our life, in fact.

Google’s interface is “less”. Yahoo and MSN are “more”. Who’s got the more user base?

The iPod is less. Remember your Sony Walkman back in the 90s? Remember the multiple buttons “Play, Pause, Rewind, Forward”? iPod has one button that does everything.

At work, when I started doing less, I actually accomplish more. This has been my experience in the past 2 month that started when I asked my wife to join me in managing the business. When I delegated to her some of my administrative work, I had to focus on the production and marketing aspects of the business. So far, I appreciate the set up. I can do more.

What do you have to do less so you can do more?