The Difference Between Good Ideas and Bad Ideas

I've figured out the difference between good and bad ideas.  Good ideas are the ones we create.  Bad ideas are the ones other people concoct and expect us to endorse.

In other words, if it's my idea -- it's grand!  If it's your idea, it's bland.  At least, that's what most of us think.  We tend to support what we create.

"Nobdy likes change," said Mark Twin, "except a baby in dirty diapers,"  Maybe we should add, "unless it is their idea."

So, how do we implement change in our family, community, church or workplace?

Start by listening.  Hear other people's good ideas and, if possible, agree wtih them.  Realize you don't have the corner of the insight market.  

If you are the only one who thinks something should (or should not) be done, you are either a visionary or wrong.

If you are a visionary, others will join your bandwagon eventually, and it will be their idea too.  It's amazing what can be accomplished if we don't care who gets the credit.

If you are wrong, you will be trekking up the mountain alone.  As the old Chinese proverb says, "He that thinks he leads but has no one following is only taking a hike."

God's ideas are always good ideas.  Ideas inspired by faith and prayer are beautiful.  Others are inspired by our inspiration.

I once heard leadership guru,John Maxwell say people never change until staying the same is too painful, or if the new idea is too wonderful to pass up.

In other words, we change when hurt enough or dream enough.  I prefer dreaming over hurting.  Sometimes it takes both.

One thing is certain -- you can change without growing, but you cannot grow without changing.

Life is all about change, and it doesn't do much good to resist it.

When the waves of change are rolling and they're headed somewhere near your desired destination, grab a surf board and hang on!