21 Principles That Will Lead Me to a Great Idea

I am creative which is a blessing and a curse. It means I can usually think of a million different ways to solve a problem. The curse is for me to know what idea is a good idea and worth pursuing.

Artwork — https://dribbble.com/roberlan

So over the years, I have been refining how I define and assess what is a good idea and what is a great idea that must be pursued. I have a list of principles I have collected over the years from working in design studios such as ustwo, entrepreneurs I admire such as David Ogilvy and Tim Ferriss, and from the experience I gained turning ideas into businesses including a start-up I sold.

21 Principles that will lead me to a great idea

1. Customers want solutions, not ideas.
2. An idea is weak if it does not present a clear solution to a problem.
3. Validate early if a customer will pay for an idea, I may have a solution to a problem but the customer may be unmotivated to solve it.
4. Start with customer needs, and don’t let the opinions of others crowd out this sentiment.
5. “You have to start with the customer experience and work backwards” — Steve Jobs
6. “Leaders start with the customer and work backwards” — Jeff Bezos
7. In early ideation think of all the…