Ideas are just a multiplier of execution

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You often see the clichéd expression “ideas are worth nothing it’s the execution that counts.”

I fully agree but came across a great chapter in “Anything You Want“, written by CD Baby founder Derek Sivers.

The chapter is entitled “Ideas are just a multiplier of execution”  I’m going to copy and paste this from the book:

AWFUL IDEA = -1

WEAK IDEA = 1

SO-SO IDEA = 5

GOOD IDEA = 10

GREAT IDEA = 15

BRILLIANT IDEA = 20

NO EXECUTION = $1

WEAK EXECUTION = $1000

SO-SO EXECUTION = $10,000

GOOD EXECUTION = $100,000

GREAT EXECUTION = $1,000,000

BRILLIANT EXECUTION = $10,000,000

Multiply execution by idea and that puts a fun value on the idea! Am I suggesting you take the figures seriously, no, I just think it’s a fun way to show that without execution the idea is worthless.

“Anything You Want” is a great short read, I’d recommend that you buy it.   It’s written in the same sort of style as “ReWork” another  of my favourites.

P.S.

Thanks to Seth Godin for recommending “Anything You Want”