IDEA

The Second Step to a Successful Career…

“The idea does not belong to the soul. It is the soul that belongs to the idea.”

(Charles Sanders Peirce, “Collected Papers vol. I, par. 216)

 As the world’s borders disappear through technology, ease of travel, and enhanced physical safety, we feel the connectedness of all people everywhere – for good and otherwise.

As we reach a point where the obsolescence of objects is measured in months rather than decades or centuries, we are drawn away from the physical trappings of life and connect more with the realities of thought and the intellect.

As we move into the next stage of the development of the global economy, it becomes clearer to us that there is a new world currency. That new world currency is the same element that made man distinct from the beginning of time. It is the power that moves the world and the most raw and primal human capability: An idea.

The power of an idea, as it exists today, outstrips the most ambitious expectations of the scholars and thinkers of the last two millennia. Presently, the value of an idea is

often times greater than the value of machines, natural resources, and bricks and mortar – as recently noted with the Instagram/Facebook transaction. In certain cases, its ability to influence a direction is greater than that of entire armies. There are men and women in their twenties and thirties, whose ideas have brought them more wealth than that of real estate conglomerates in business for a century. In fact, for the first time in history there are men and women who have amassed more power to influence the world than entire nations – based simply on the uniqueness and relevance of their ideas.

The most pronounced practical expressions that we utilize in our day to day lives are speech and action. Yet the most profound and powerful creative expression is that which is housed in thought. The essential part of the creative process is the thought or idea with which something is initiated.

There is great value in building in ourselves the love of, and confidence in ideas. There is infinite value in teaching ourselves and those around us to embrace the ideas that come to our minds – particularly those that seem most unrealistic and ambitious. The starting point of a new career or entrepreneurial effort is most often the nearly discarded idea.

 “One of the greatest pains to human nature is the pain of a new idea.”

(Walter Baghot, “Physics and Politics” [1869], ch. 5)

 The second step to a new career direction is to become inspired to generate new ideas. Use the more accepting, less judgmental self you’ve developed as a result of “creating a bigger you” to become more expansive, curious and imaginative. Read from a wide and eclectic group of sources. Feel freer to express new ways to do things, and to conceive of new inventions that may benefit the planet. Vet your ideas in forums that are engaging and stimulating, and that are populated by supportive, educated and intelligent people. Block and tackle the cynical, “adult” idea killers whenever they encroach. Start having more fun. Joy and happiness are the platform for creative thinking.

A mind is a terrible thing to waste. One is never wasted if its fruits – ideas – are seeded and harvested.

Warmest regards,

Ricky

Next Step: Courage to Question