Have you ever wondered what would happen if whatever you said after – I have a great idea? – actually came true and happened?

I have a nephew that used to say this all the time, I have a GREAT idea, Aunt Heather! Let’s go get some ice cream!

This would be at 7:30 in the morning while we were all still in our pajamas sipping coffee on the porch during a vacation.

I will say that he was sly in his approach.

I do love ice cream.

We were on vacation, so treats were frequent.

And my husband, Uncle Billy, is a total pushover.

So, with these three factors surely in his favor, he was more likely to get a Yes!

According to his parents, he really thought that if he prefaced any comment with I’ve got a GREAT idea! that it meant it actually was a great idea. Clearly all would and should agree with his declaration. Get to the closest ice cream shop and serve this boy a scoop!

Sadly, that was not the case. It was not perceived as a great idea.

Or maybe, thank goodness that is not the case.

Just because we declare something a good idea from our perspective does not make it so. There are so many complex problems. A great idea from one perspective could have glaring holes from another lens. Sometimes the great idea backfires and creates a bigger problem.

So how do we determine if something is a great idea to follow through to action or not?

More people at the discussion table?

More opportunities to explore?

More trial and error?

More tweaking? More listening? More adapting?

What if we never let the great idea out?

What if we trap it in our brains because we are afraid of the No?

Or not willing to test it?

What if no one else sees the opportunity we see?

Or how the pieces fit together to form something new or different?

Maybe declaring it a great idea is just the first step. It is a risk we should be willing to take. To get to the What if?

It makes me wonder if maybe, this time, Aunt Heather and Uncle Billy will say Yes?