Did you know that we have all at one point or another had a million dollar idea? Yup! But it is what you do with the idea that determines if it is indeed a million dollar idea or not. Sara Blakely, so aptly said “ I believe every person at some point in their life will have at least one million dollar idea. The difference is: will you do something about it? (it being the idea). She goes on to say that the world’s most groundbreaking inventions and businesses came from ordinary people who had the courage to believe in their crazy ideas.
Imagine if we all acted on just one or two of our crazy ideas, imagine the explosion of ideas, inventions, creativity that will follow.
While I don’t know yet if this is a million dollar idea, I know that I have a crazy itch one day to start writing down my thoughts, and ideas – start a blog. Who will read it, I thought?… but quickly i realized that i wasn’t writing just for the person that may read it, but first for me. For me to be able to articulate my thoughts, for me to be able to refer back to ideas that crossed my mind, for me to have an opportunity to share those thoughts with others. I was writing first for me. After I had written over 30 posts, I was so proud of myself. SOme of you may think, hta is the big deal about writing – and how is it that a million dollar idea- and if you did you will be missing the point. It is not about the specific idea, it is about your ability to act – to do something about it. We will never know if you in fact ever had a million dollar idea in the past because you never did anything about it, but you can change that. As long as you are breathing. Did you know that Colonel Sanders of the Kentucky Fried Chicken did not fry his first chicken until later in his 60s.
Bian Chesky says All the big ideas in the early days always sound like a stupid idea. Don’t worry about anyone stealing your idea, if it is any good anyone will dismiss it”. Lot of these ideas are you solving your own problem, and not something life changing, “it is a nuisance”
Just take a look at the varied fields of the more popular millionaires and billionaires in the world today – Mark Zuckerberg in the technology field started with the idea to make what was essentially an electronic yearbook; Aliko Dangote made his fortune from trading in commodities, Warren Buffet, the legendary investor started by trading pennies and now leverages undervalued investments; Mike Adenuga started a private telecomms company because he saw an opportunity, Jim Pattison started out as a car dealer, etc. Don’t even get me started with social media influencers, or blue collar millionaires like farmers and others in the trades.
I would infer from how different the stories of these individuals are that it isn’t that their idea was unique or special in any way, or that one industry was more likely to produce a millionaire; but rather, that the individuals believed in themselves and their ability to make something productive out of their ideas or ventures.
I have often pondered on what really interests me about becoming a millionaire – it’s not that i need that much money to be happy, and frankly I personally am not that into accumulating things – the exception being houses. Here are some of my thoughts on it:
- Because it seems elusive to the majority, I desire to achieve it just cause I know that I can
- The more important reason for me though is not the million dollar, but what I must do, and who I must become to attain and maintain the million dollar.
I really believe that telling and sharing money stories along this journey will inspire you to aspire greatly and watch a better version of yourself unfold.