How do you respond when
someone gives you an idea? Do you immediately think of the stress it will
cause, the work it will take, what won't get done if they are doing that, the
money it will take to do it, the time it will take away from them, on and on
and on? Do you then tell the idea-giver why it won’t work or why you can’t take
another thing on? Are you an idea-generator and find yourself thinking up and offering
ideas to others? How does it make you feel when the idea you’ve given the other
person is rejected?
I don't blame those who
reject ideas, as I use to feel the same things when others gave me ideas. But I
learned to adapt to the fact that when someone gives me an idea, they are just
giving me information that I can choose on my own to take action on or ignore.
It’s all up to me; it’s just information.
I also like to take note
that someone taking the time to give me an idea is like giving me a gift. When
someone gives you a gift, you might immediately think about the fact that you
really don't like it. But we've learned to be gracious and say thank you and
look like we are thankful. I do my best to do the same thing with ideas; see
them as gifts. I’ve learned to remain quiet, listen, and then say “Isn’t that
interesting, thanks for the idea.” I often times write down these ideas because
I may think differently about them at a later time.
Remember, whether
someone gives you an idea or feedback, it’s all just information that you are
free to do anything you want with. But thank them for the gift of their time,
thoughts and ideas.
