MindValley Labs Internet Marketing Blog

One of the biggest traps that stops many entrepreneurs from being successful is what I would like to call "the innovation trap."

What is the innovation trap?

The innovation trap is that many people sit waiting around for the big idea to hit them.  They are wondering and waiting for the "Eureka" moment to arrive. 

People want to believe that great ideas come to us in a moment of brilliance, most often while we are taking a shower in the morning or are still deep asleep at night and wake up all of a sudden when the big "aha" moment strikes.

To all of you waiting for this moment I say "wake up" and don't wait for these moments to come.  There is a reason why the famous French inventor Louis Pasteur said "chance favors the prepared mind" and why Thomas Edison said "innovation is 99% perspiration." 

Worse, many people that try a new idea but don't succeed right away give up too early.  Innovation is far more about incremental innovation and continuous improvement than about the "Eureka" moment. 

There is good news and bad news in realizing the truth in this.  The bad news is that your "Eureka" moment might never come.  The good news is that you can finally stop making excuses.  First of all, don't wait for the big idea to hit you.  Just get started innovating and never stop. 

I would like to wrap up with one quote from Peter Drucker.

"Successful entrepreneurs do not wait until the Muse kisses them and gives them a 'bright idea': They go to work.  Altogether they do not look for the 'biggie,' the innovation that will 'revolutionize the industry,' create a 'billion-dollar business' or 'make one rich overnight.'  Those entrepreneurs who start out with the idea that they'll make it big -- and in a hurry -- can be guaranteed failure."

Last 5 posts by

• Do you think SEO in other languages is easier? - September 18th, 2008
• Google Slap - How to recover from a Google Slap? - September 8th, 2008
• What Does Your Order Button Say? - August 29th, 2008
• Will Knol Rule The Search Engines? First Analysis Indicates...It Just Might - July 23rd, 2008
• Are small businesses dropping out of AdWords? - July 23rd, 2008

About the Author

Prior to MindValley Media, Mike was the Head of New Ventures Strategy at eBay where he conceived of the strategies that led to the investment in Craigslist, the launch of Kijiji.com and the acquisition of Skype. Mike has an MBA from Stanford and previously worked for the Boston Consulting Group. He is also a certified Google AdWords Professional.

Check out other posts by Mike Reining

If you want to see what's in the private lab...

Ask yourself... which part of your business would you most like to improve?

I can send you 7 tactics related to your specific needs, if you like.

You don't have to buy anything, just take it as a backstage pass into our private course.

Will it give you the solution you've been waiting for?

There's only one way to find out.