This is one of those impossible debates.
Timing, they say, is everything.
A brilliant idea at the wrong time will fail. (People who work in the fashion industry understand this better than anyone.)
But the question is: If your idea is truly brilliant can it overcome this issue?
Naturally it depends where and how your creativity is being used. If you’re Jonathan Ive, chief designer at Apple, your creativity is driven by technology, and success therefore comes from finding creative solutions to technological innovation. Whereas if you’re a screenwriter in the film industry, success will depend on the brilliance of your script and whether you’ve caught a wave.
Of course, no one knows if they’ve got the timing just right in advance, but asking certain questions can help. So ask yourself:
Have I got my finger on the pulse of what’s going on?
Will this idea inspire people to follow me?
Is my idea daring or challenging?
Does it touch a truth?
Will it capture people’s attention and make headlines?
Is it fresh?
I’ve asked similar questions throughout this book. And I will carry on asking them. They are key to initiating and inspiring creativity.
A great idea creates its own timing. And that’s what you should be searching for. By being tuned in, aware, sensitive to what is going on, and by keeping an open mind, you can create the circumstances to make that happen.
You can make your own timing.
The other point is to stop worrying about it.
You’ll never be able to predict the future so stop trying.
On my tombstone I’m going to have the following words carved: