Great Idea Syndrome - Part 2

I often struggle with the notion that I need to 'come up with a great idea'.   I spend a lot of time thinking about stuff, exploring other people's projects, admiring some amazing cleverness out there.

But yesterday some things occurred to me that simultaneously inspired me and set my mind at ease.

People don't often come up with 'Great Ideas'.  People come up with ideas.

I come up with ideas all the time.  But what do I do with those ideas?  That seems to be one of my personal traps...  I often look at them and think, "Well, that's not a 'Great Idea'..."  and put it aside.

I've realized that if you just sit around waiting for the 'Big One', you'll wait forever... always making excuses and second guessing yourself more and more.

In contrast, when I have an idea and I begin following it to its realization a whole world materializes around that experience.  Sometimes they just fade away in the planning stages; but sometimes you bring them to fruition.

Keeping yourself in the practice of conceiving and executing is possibly the most important factor in constantly revitalizing your mojo.

Now I can say (honestly) that none of the projects I've done so far have been 'Great'... Yet.

But how will I know when something special comes along unless I make an effort to get ideas out in the world?  I think often many of these inspiring projects I drool over began as a very simple concept.  Maybe one photo.  But there was a certain momentum that inspired another and another.

It seems that some of the 'Best Ideas' are often the simplest... Like this one where photographer Ben Roberts documented OccupyLondon's camps.  It's brilliant and beautiful.  It tells an amazing story and it was simple.

I think maybe an idea doesn't become great until it's finished, and you stand back... and look at what you've created... pleasantly surprised that it became a 'Great Idea'.  Maybe it's 'Greatness' resides in the photographer's ability to leave the bullshit clutter-brain aside and tap into a clean flow of energy and inspiration.

Maybe it's 'Greatness' simply resides in the viewer's personal identification with the subject.

There are still a lot of unanswered questions surrounding the issue (for me), but one thing I do know for sure...  I need to spend more time making my ideas happen and not worrying about 'Greatness'.

It'll get there.  But it's a skill like any other.  Time and patience and practice...  With a dash of clarity and self understanding...

With all the right elements, something 'Great' is bound to come out.