12 Feb How To Make Ideas Happen
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hy has it taken me more than a month to write this short book review? The answers to that simple question, and more importantly, guidance on how to transform creative concepts into fully realized projects, are found in the thought-provoking and illuminating Making Ideas Happen, by Scott Belsky, founder and CEO of Behance, billed as “the leading online platform to showcase and discover creative work.”
While the opening chapters might read like an advertisement for Behance and their Action Method productivity solution (which is pretty good, I have to say), Belsky gets to the heart of the current dialog on creativity and productivity in the rapidly evolving work environment.
Rather than exploring the tired arena of how to be more creative or increasing innovation, Belsky rightly points out that there is no lack of great ideas in the world. Rather, most great ideas never come to fruition; what is needed is better execution and focus. [pullquote align=”right”]Most great ideas never come to fruition[/pullquote]
Based on interviews with creative professionals who are consistently able to execute their ideas, as well as his experience in Goldman Sachs’ leadership development and organizational improvement group, he offers a thoughtful, simple and clear process on how to “overcome the obstacles between vision and reality.”
I was fascinated by his analysis of the importance of organization on realizing ideas. After working with a number of creative directors who boast about their “ADD” and inability to focus on in-depth analysis, as though it were a badge of honor, I feel somewhat vindicated in my almost obsessive list making and reliance on a structured environment to be productive.
Behance also publishes a thoughtful blog, the99percent (named for Edison’s aphorism: Genius is one percent inspiration, ninety-nine percent perspiration) that reads like a companion piece to TED, offering insight and support to make even the most revolutionary ideas happen.
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