History is littered with ideas once dismissed as foolish, impractical, or outright absurd. The notion that humans could fly was once ridiculed. The telephone was deemed unnecessary. Even the internet, now woven into the fabric of modern life, was initially met with skepticism. Many ideas seem terrible—until they prove otherwise.
Coaching Tip –
The challenge lies in distinguishing between what is truly unworkable and what is merely unconventional. Often, an idea appears terrible not because it lacks merit but because it challenges existing paradigms.
People resist the unfamiliar because of fear of failure, societal norms, and cognitive biases. Yet progress is born from the willingness to explore what others dismiss.
The difference between a bad idea and a revolutionary one is often a matter of timing, execution, and perspective. What seems ridiculous in one context may be brilliant in another. The Wright brothers’ dream of flight was laughable—until it wasn’t. The same holds true for countless innovations that initially faced rejection.
Thus, rather than hastily dismissing an idea as terrible, a better approach is to ask: What if it isn’t? Because history has shown that sometimes, the only difference between failure and brilliance is the courage to see beyond immediate doubt.
Shift Thinking Challenge –
I encourage you to experiment with these thinking shifts to see beyond immediate doubt.
- From Fear of Failure → To Curiosity About Possibilities
- From Seeking Certainty → To Embracing Experimentation
- From Past-Based Thinking → To Future-Oriented Thinking
- From Fear of Looking Foolish → To Willingness to Risk
Complimentary Coaching Call –
Charlie Anderson offers the path forward for those ready to break free from limiting beliefs and achieve next-level results. If you would like to explore how Shift Thinking Sales Coaching can catapult you to the next level of success, Click Here to schedule your complimentary coaching call.