In this episode of The Localist, host Carrie Rollwagen talks about the importance of safeguarding new ideas from immediate criticism and skepticism. She emphasizes the necessity of nurturing these ideas by first seeking validation and encouragement, rather than exposing them to potential negativity. Drawing from Tara Schuster’s book, Carrie categorizes the people in our lives into “hype people,” “road warriors,” and “absolutely nots.” She suggests being mindful of which group to turn to when in the early stages of idea development. Hype people provide the enthusiasm and support needed to build confidence in the idea, whereas road warriors help in refining and implementing the idea with practical feedback. The absolutely nots, however, are individuals who consistently showcase skepticism and criticism, and should be approached only when the idea is robust enough to withstand potential negative feedback.
Carrie uses personal anecdotes to illustrate these categories, describing how her family members and friends fall into these different roles. She underscores the practical steps one can take, such as making a list of these individuals, to ensure they approach the right person at the right stage of idea development. Carrie concludes by advocating for fostering excitement and positivity around new ideas first, thus enabling them to grow before facing the inevitable scrutiny. This episode serves as a guide for entrepreneurs and creatives on how to strategically navigate the early stages of idea formation and protect their innovations.
Mentioned in this episode:
Carrie’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/crollwagen
Sign up for Carrie’s newsletter: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9c59a060684d71f12f6e495fc&id=98cd3122b9
Carrie’s Website: https://carrierollwagen.com/
Tara Schuster’s Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/buy-yourself-the-f-cking-lilies-and-other-rituals-to-fix-your-life-from-someone-who-s-been-there-tara-schuster/12072763?ean=9780525509905
Duquette Johnston’s Localist Episode: https://carrierollwagen.com/podcast-episodes/beyond-the-brick-and-mortar-with-duquette-johnston/