Cocktails and Dreams were hanging out long before Tom Cruise opened a bar of the same name in the movie, Cocktail. Drink tanks are think tanks. Countless companies, movies, websites, and products can trace their roots back to bars. For example, Herb Kelleher and Rollin King famously sketched the business plan for Southwest Airlines on the back of a cocktail napkin in San Antonio in the late 1960s. However, for every Southwest Airlines, there are millions of napkins that get left behind, thrown in the wash, or tossed in the trash. Fact is, most great ideas never make it out of the bar.
The problem is that we assume our big ideas are unrealistic. Sure, everyone likes kicking around some crazy dreams with friends or coworkers over a drink, but the buzz quickly fades when we head back to the real world. Big ideas are intimidating and the flood of potential challenges can be overwhelming: How difficult will it be to make this work? How much time and money will it take? How will this affect my life a year from now?
Slow down. Back up.
To steal from folk singer, Brett Dennen: “Darlin’ do not fear what you don’t really know.”
Instead of trying to predict exactly where your wild idea might take you, start off by focusing on where the idea originated (FYI: “Jaeger” is not an acceptable answer). How does your idea relate to your current life? What wants and needs does it reflect or address? What was it about your idea that gave you energy?
Answer those questions first and it will be easier for you to bring your ideas home with you.
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