How to Avoid Wrong Good Ideas

“Where did you get that idea?” This is a phrase we hear frequently, but don't often put much thought into, although we should. So, where do ideas come from? More importantly, who do they come from? 

Most people would say good ideas come from God. –but in reality, God is not the only one who will send you a “million dollar idea.” You may not want to hear that, but it's true, and very important to grasp. Whether you term it darkness, the devil, the Truman Show, or the like, the antithesis of God will send inspiration, and ideas, sometimes really amazing ones, to distract you from your life purpose.

In the same way you must vet, and source your own thoughts, you need to learn to vet your own ideas, too.  Running full steam ahead with the wrong “good idea” can prove detrimental by putting you on a completely different timeline than what is intended, and needed for you to reach your highest potential, and complete your true mission. This is how easy it is to be led astray, and sabotaged. Wrong good ideas are also an extremely easy way to be led into unnecessary danger, and debt, which is certainly not of God. –if you take nothing else away from this article, please, remember that.

So what should you do when you get a seemingly good idea? 

Step 1: Write it down. Honor the idea. Create a project file.

Anytime I have a good idea pop into my brain, I write it down, allowing for full idea flow to occur. When this happens for me, I create a new project file (Google document) outlining, and detailing the full scope of the prospective plan as if I were going to present it to backers. –but the person I’m really presenting it to is myself. Run the numbers, do it all. 

After you get it out of your head, and onto paper, if you still think it is a good idea, step away. Don’t do anything. Don't post about it, and do not tell anyone else. Sit with it, and allow it to be only yours until you can determine if it is actually the right move. Oftentimes, if we post something, or tell someone about the idea we have, our ego then feels like it has to move forward regardless of the project’s true viability for fear that others will think we couldn't hack it. “Well, I have to do it now, because I already told everyone.” This creates an ego trap. Don’t do this to yourself. 

Zoom out, instead. –whether it's for an hour, a day, a week, or a year. Get away from the idea enough that you can see the full picture, not just the exciting newness that creates an adrenaline, and endorphin rush cocktail within the body. Just like a drug, ideas can be addicting because of the creative high that accompanies them, and makes us feel so, so good. You must be very careful here because this good feeling can create a habit of starting, and then stopping projects. Many times people discover their ideas are not so fulfilling once the electrifying rush wears off, and the real work begins. Think it through. 

Remember, just because you have an idea doesn’t mean it's good. Just because an idea is good doesn't mean it's right for you. –and just because an idea is good, and right for you does not mean the timing is appropriate. –and as we know, timing is everything. 

If you are already working on something it is even more important to vet any new idea that comes to you. Sometimes you will be sent ideas that are solely intended to distract you, scattering and dividing your energy, time, and resources. This is a form of divide, and conquer. It's best to write the new idea down, and revisit it once your other project is fully completed.

We are creative beings, so naturally we want to create. –but our creative energies are extremely susceptible to hijack, and sabotage. This is not about poo-pooing ideas. This is about safeguarding your true life mission. 

Entertaining too many ideas at once creates instances of self-sabotage causing you to bounce from one thing to the next with nothing ever being completed, or fully developed to the degree it should be done. 

Step 2: Determine Motivation and Mission

What's the motivation? What’s the mission? Does this help anyone? Is it in service to others? 

Any idea sent by God will also be in service to others, not only oneself. –and it will not be purely money motivated.

The tricky part about asking yourself this particular question is that Darkness will often try to bait you into a project, or idea under the guise of making the world a better place. This is a trap that can be very difficult to discern, so pay close attention to red flags, and any gut instincts that may arise. Remember, Darkness is a master at masquerading as light, goodness, and godliness. It looks for bleeding hearts, and naivety because these types are so easy to take advantage of. Be aware. Stay vigilant.

Step 3: Ask “why?” 

Why is this being pushed to me? Is this needed, and is this my piece? Just because you get the idea for something that is needed does not automatically mean it is “your piece.” 

My advice to anyone who is looking to spend their time, energy, money, and resources starting something new, is to always make sure the project is in your own wheelhouse, first. Do you have any real experience, or expertise to lend, here?  Being in the vicinity of experience is not enough. I have a family full of master plumbers, but I can guarantee you my next book is not going to be “How to Be a Better Plumber” because I have no experience, or first hand knowledge of plumbing myself. Stick to what you personally know, rather than something you know about. There is a big, big difference.

This line of self-questioning doesn't always come into play when you are considering an invention, or product, but more so with information distribution (books, podcasts, etc.), businesses, non-profits, and charity projects. Simply wanting to help make the world a better place does not automatically make something “your piece,” either. 

Step 4: Energy Management

I personally detest the phrase “do you have the bandwidth to handle this” when talking about time, and energy, but do you? The ego will chime in, “oh yes, I can do it all!” … Sure, but can you do it all to the exceptional degree each project deserves? Be honest with yourself.

Step 5: Ask “what if?”

Most people’s first question regarding a new idea is “what if it fails?” Well, that's easy. You move on. The better question to ask is “what if it works?” 

What does your reality become if the project succeeds? What does the day-to-day look like? What kind of lifestyle does this create, and require? What hours are involved? What changes must be made to accommodate this prospective new life? What kind of schedule, or travel would be required? Do you want to be in an airport multiple times a week? If you have a family, what does this mean, and look like for them? Think it through, and consider everyone involved, not only yourself. 

My partner, and I make movies. That might sound glamorous to someone on the outside looking in. It might seem like our days are filled with travel to fancy filmings, and premieres with swag bags, and red carpets. –but the reality is, it's not. Red carpet events only come around every once in a while, and you only get to film a handful of weeks out of the year, if you’re lucky. The rest is all editing, paperwork, dealing with lawyers, unions, budgets, and scheduling. It’s a mundane slugfest a lot of the time, as any type of work can be. That’s the true reality. Let's not sugar coat things. 

You should also always consider the types of problems, and challenges you are bound to run into. Is this something you really want to dedicate yourself to long term?

Step 5: Know Your Mission

Could I open a frozen cafe au lait food truck in Los Angeles, and make a ton of cash really quickly? Yes, I'm certain I could. –but is it the best use of my time, talent, and resources, or is it a distraction from my true mission?

My prospective project file is huge. It contains a very random mix of business, book and script ideas, causes, and charities. Some will be developed, and implemented in the future, and some will absolutely never see the light of day. Being able to discern between the two will save you time, money, and lots, and lots of energy. 

–but what if you don’t know your mission? 

To realize your mission, all you have to do is get quiet, go within, and ask yourself (or God), “what is my mission? What was I sent here to do, and accomplish?” When you are really ready to listen it will be revealed to you. Whether you prefer to term it your inner intelligence, the Universe, or God, we typically receive messages in the form of symbols, synchronicities, and intuitive knowing, or gut instinct. This may happen instantly, or later on as you go about your day. This is the Law of Response at work. You may not always like the answers you receive, but you will always get an answer. It really is that simple if you allow it to be, and listen long enough to hear the whispers.

Your mission will typically revolve around an interest,  talent, or ability you already possess. It may not even be extremely specific, it may be to work with children, veterans, the elderly, nature, or animals in general. 

No one else can tell you what your mission is. You have to realize it for yourself. –and you may have more than one. For example, part of my personal mission is to translate energetic, and spiritual knowledge into more easily digestible, public-friendly writings, and books. Another is to be an example of Godly femininity for those around me, especially the children in my family. 

If you have children in your care, it's important to understand that they are your mission, too. Raising a child to become the person they are meant to be is one of the most important, and difficult missions there is on earth. If this responsibility has been gifted to you, it is time to understand your own importance, and start living up to it. This mission should always come first. 

Step 6: Create a personal mission statement

Creating a personal mission statement will help alleviate confusion in the future.  Once you know your mission, from then on you will be able to test any idea you receive against it. If a prospective project doesn’t jive with your mission for whatever reason, count your blessings, and move on. 

You are unique, and your mission will be unique, too. Your love, gifts, and talent are needed now more than ever. –but they need to be utilized optimally, and in the correct time, and place to be most effective.

It should also be noted that fame, and riches are not indicative of being on the right path. Gaining extreme wealth, and notoriety are often used as motivators to trick individuals into projects, and lifestyles that are contrary to their mission in order to sabotage their true potential. Do not let smooth talking shysters fool you into thinking otherwise. Hold steady. Keep to the narrow path, and know that when you are doing the work you were meant to do you will be provided for from above. 

–and if one day you wake up to find yourself off path, know that it's never too late to correct your course. 

Wishing you lots of love, and great success in anything you put your heart towards,

-Mallory