An Idea Addict opens her eyes. Another idea if forming. She bounces out of bed, eager to record the latest in a string of life-changing ideas.

Over the next few hours, the world stops. Ideation has begun. It will not be interrupted. She begins to expand her idea. Some of the details begin to form, but not too many. She begins to imagine the impact of her new idea. Lives are left never the same. People are thanking her. The planet is a better place to live.

A few hours later, right in the middle of her high, she sees her husband. Full of excitement, she shares her idea. She is filled with excitement as she seeks to recruit her first follower.

As is typical, he immediately begins to pick the idea apart. He is only trying to help, he thinks. Rather than feeling helped, it feels like he is wadding her idea up and throwing it away. She is crushed. The euphoria of the previous moment is gone.

Have you been there? You stay up late. Your brain cannot not stop. The energy flows through your body as you ideate on a new idea. Next steps slowly begin to form in your mind. The minutes turn into hours. You know this idea is going to make a difference. You believe it with all you are. People are going to sign up for this. They are going to think, “Wow! This is amazing!”

You tell your wife, your significant other, your roommate, your co-worker, a friend. Your excitement mounts as you prepare for them to share in your excitement.

Instead of “Wow!” though, they ask, “How?” You are wrecked. The vandalism of their question covers the walls of your heart. They don’t understand, but it doesn’t matter. The damage is done. Your idea is tossed onto a pile, never to be picked up again.

Has this ever happened to you? Do you struggle to get your ideas into real life? Does someone or something disrupt the flow of your ideas?

How do you overcome? What is your secret? Please share. Thanks.