Think Big But Work Small

There’s no shortage of opportunities today. In fact, it’s cheaper and more convenient than ever to envision and put an idea you may have into play.

Imagine trying to make your idea happen in the 1960’s. It would be both extremely expensive and difficult to get it out for others to even take notice.

That’s not the problem anymore. You can get your idea started and put out into the world. However, it’s that easy for everyone else these days as well. You are inevitably playing in a crowded field. The hard part is getting enough attention to even matter. Everyone is a producer and everyone is a brand.

The dichotomy we face is how to go big in our ideas and keep that ever before us while we test in small steps. All of your assumptions have to be tested. You might assume a certain group will like your idea. If they react with little enthusiasm, it’s time to reevaluate immediately. And you can know this by putting a small test out there that represents the big idea. You can keep the idea big with small steps in the implementation to gauge how things will work in reality.

When you see positive feedback, you can enhance your idea and invest more time, money and energy.

The hard part is getting creative to solicit the reaction you are looking for before going big.

The temptation to go big early may come from our love for the idea vs. something that actually works to make people happy. That becomes more about you rather than those that will benefit.

We live in a crowded world. And people have access at their fingertips to whatever might appeal to their curiosities, pleasures or productivity.

Thinking big and working small is a strategy that can help you avoid risks out of the gate with good intentions.

How can you simplify and test your assumptions?