Do you need to be understood?

by Matt Riopelle  |  June 9th, 2010
Business & Finance, Freelancing, Personal Development


 

 
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Being different is hard. Just try leaving your (seemingly) secure job, following an idea, creating something remarkable. You meet resistance. Nudge the status quo and it’s certainly going to nudge you back. But is it worth it? I’ve asked that question many times. And it’s the wrong one. Let me explain.


I think there is a better place to start. First, anticipate. There will be push-back, a pull to conform, to survive, to return to normal. Gird yourself for the struggle. Then, take the time to ask yourself the harder questions. I found Seth Godin’s recent post a good place to start. He lists questions he believes every freelancer, project manager, or entrepreneur – those leaving normal in search of remarkable – need to ask themselves. They aren’t easy, but they are necessary. There was one, however, that stood out from the rest.


To me, the list hinges on #8. It’s key to the kind of business and life you are planning to create. He asks, “Which: to invent a category or to be just like Bob/Sue, but better?” In other words, chose to be game-changing, or compete as a commodity. One is uncommon and risky, the other familiar and acceptable. Which will it be for you?


That leads us to the heart of the issue. Do you need to be understood? Sure, anyone with a tinge of entrepreneur inside wants to make the unique. But if it’s truly different, even revolutionary, then it certainly won’t be familiar. If it was, someone would already be doing it. So, are you willing to put your heart and soul into producing something even those close to you (and maybe even you yourself) won’t understand in the beginning? Or maybe ever?


The deal is, if you are expecting an idea bundled with the latest user manual on how to explain it to the world, forget it. If you want remarkable, be prepared for the long slog through blank stares, disapproval, and rejection. Sure, there will be victories. Maybe a few will get it. But in the midst of testing, failing, retesting, tabling, and restarting, approval will be rare. And you need to be good with that, persevering until the thing you thought might be a good idea gets chiseled down to one that is. Then maybe, you’ll be able to talk about what you do.


What do you think? What have you encountered while working on remarkable?

Matt Riopelle

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Reader comments (1)

 

Matt, two things jump out at me in this post.

1. Asking questions is only a start: it’s asking the RIGHT questions that creates traction.

2. “…testing, failing, retesting, tabling, and restarting” can get us from “I have this great idea” to “Now I know what the market actually wants.”

Valuable stuff!


Lainie Turner | June 10, 2010
 


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