The Wright brothers had trouble selling the idea of the airplane to the US military.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
JK Rowling was paid $2500 for her first book, Harry Potter and told she should get a job because her book wouldn’t make her enough money to live on.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
Dav Pilkey, the author of Captain Underpants was told he can’t spend his whole life drawing comic books.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
The Beatles original drummer quit because he didn’t think the band was going anywhere.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
Record labels wouldn’t sign any of the original rap artists because they didn’t think rap was music.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
Tom Brady was picked 199th overall in the sixth round of the 2000 NFL draft.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
Sylvester Stallone couldn’t sell the Rocky screenplay, especially if he played the lead.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
The Impressionists were widely rejected and told they painted like children when they first showed their work.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
Dave Burgess was told he should change the name of his book, Teach Like a Pirate.
Seems kinda crazy, right?
It’s not that every different idea is bound to succeed. But if some of the best ideas were at one time deemed horrible, what does that say about our ability to judge good ideas? Maybe instead of focusing our energy on whether ideas are good or not, maybe we should focus on whether the person is passionate about their idea or not. Maybe we should support those who are passionate and have a real interest in what they are doing.
Maybe if we are going to judge anything, maybe it should be passion and interest. Maybe passion and interest should be on a rubric. They might prove to be a better indicator of future success.
Trevor (@trevorabryan)