I am realizing the importance of being the first. Not the first like winning a race or the being the first in a little league championship, but more like being the first person to do something.
(You are thinking…Marcy start making sense or I am clicking away. I know, I know…)
Recently while walking thru a modern art museum, one of my kids said, while pointing to a graphic square of yellow on a white canvas ‘hey, I could totally do that!’ and I had to give a little art lesson, in my best museum hushed civilized parent voice about how some art is considered great because it was THE FIRST to be done in a particular manner. We talked about Warhol and Picasso and all the rest….and I emphasized that these works are not necessary revered for the skill it took to create them, but rather the creativity that motivated the artist to create them in the first place.
(BTW this fits nicely with my Dooce theory as well. That she is popular not based on quality content, but on the fact that she was one of the first female bloggers…but I digress.)
In the last 2 years I have sat by as I watched several of my ideas and plans, have been stolen away from me. Maybe it was something I might have mentioned that I was going to do/create/plan to a new friend at a blog conference or even ideas chatted over cocktails with fellow blogging/media friends. Ideas that the other individuals took and ran with, and didn’t look back. And in another case, I watched as someone ran with an idea that I had not even vocalized yet- but I had thought about it, and built a proposal plan for….but, and this is the important part, but I DIDN’T ACT ON IT FAST ENOUGH. (That is one I may never get over. Because really- what the hell was I waiting for?)
So why this photo for this post?
Well, every time I see these shelves at Urban Outfitters I wonder about the crazy person who walked out of a thrift shop with armfuls of 25cent figurines, clocks and ashtrays , with the intention of recreating them for the 20 something crowd to decorate their dorm rooms and Ikea laden apartments. All for huge profits. I think about that crazy person. And I think…WHAT A GENIUS. Not because he thought of it. But because he had the nerve to actually DO IT.
And so now, I am committing to acting on my ideas.
Here is to 2010 bringing new site concepts, iPhone apps, and publishing of my books. And you know what else I am committed too? Keeping my mouth shut. I gotta stop telling everyone my plans I guess. Even people I thought would never steal from me- well, they did. With a smile on their face. Next time someone says, “don’t worry I got your back”. I will know that they mean “so I can stab you in it.”
Oh and when I finished my little speech to my kids that day in the museum, they just looked up and asked when we were going to lunch. I am starting to think the speech did more good for me than them. I really need to listen to myself more often I think.
So tell me glam members…..are you a ‘First Person” ? I want to be…..and I will.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post. I want to be, but I’m a hesitater. And I don’t like to be an imitator or a crowd-follower. Where does that leave me? Somewhere out in left field I guess.
wowee- awesome stuff, Marcy. You might not be the first at this bloggin’ thing, but you’re certainly one-of-a-kind! So true about the Urban Outfitters tchotchkes :)
Here Here Marcy! What a motivating post. I’m in it to win it, just like you!! =) Hoorah!
Here’s to this being the year of your “Pet Rock!” because YOU rock!!!! ~xo~
Way to go girl. Its time to take back what belongs to you. Nice post!!!!
I can’t wait to see the “firsts” you do! I know they will be awesome! (and defintly don’t tell anyone – it’s a dog eat dog world when it comes to new ideas!)
I completely agree with this post. Being the first in anything is a damn big deal. And a lot of people have the same idea – the only thing that sets one a apart from the other is the person that acts on that idea. This happens in television ALL THE TIME. I have had so many ideas for tv shows but other people do them. For a lot of reasons.
I read something once that said something along the lines of “what makes an entrepreneur is not the idea but actually doing something about it.” Something like that. That is wrong but you get the idea I’m sure.
Anyway – here’s to doing something about all of those ideas of yours. And mine.
:-)
You never know who will let you down.
“…and to my husband. It’s no surprise that, when I met you, my work got better, because I never knew what it was like for someone to ‘have my back,’ so thank you” -Sandra Bullock’s Golden Globe Speech
Perhaps she’ll find inspiration in disappointment as you have done.
Unlike our human eggs, which come stock and in a predetermined number, ideas have no limit, only the limits we place upon them. My ideas resemble small blobs of oatmeal, but yours crackle, sizzle and sparkle. Pay no attention to the mixed metaphors in this comment, just keep your focus on letting more of those sparkly, sizzling ideas hatch. :)