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Re: does innovation require desperation?

deepali — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:08:27 -0000

Innovation might require desperation to be sustainable in the long-term, but only until you hit the "cross-over" point where it isn't really "innovative". Once it starts becoming your daily business, then it just is what it is.

I think we see this with now with environmental issues. Desperation is fueling our drive (no puns intended) towards alternative fuels and enviro-friendly consumer goods. But we're nearing a tipping point, I think, where soon these types of things (the latter sooner than the former) will become the mainstream.

Re: does innovation require desperation?

Chad @ Sentient Money — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 09:40:03 -0000

I have to agree that desire is more important than desperation. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett aren't billionaires because of desperation. They both could have quite when they were just millionaires, but their desire kept them working.

Re: does innovation require desperation?

Patrick — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:24:41 -0000

I think Curmudgeon and Greg hit the nail on the head. It's more about desire than desperation. But your desire can easily be influenced by need. A common example of this is professional athletes. Some will continue to train and play well beyond their prime years because they love it, when others can't be bothered once they make their millions (of course there will always be those who squandered their millions and continue to train and play out of necessity, not desire... but that is another post altogether!).

If you want it, Steve, I think you could do it. But it would involve changes to your current standard of living.

Re: does innovation require desperation?

Greg the Writer — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:42:37 -0000

It's not desperation as much as desire. Which, desperation can be a huge motivator for harvesting desire!

I think the best way of motivation is burning the bridge. By burning all methods of return, there is only forward. You must proceed into the daunting, haunting forests of whatever your endeavor may be.

Like Napoleon Hill says, one must become full of a burning desire.

Man, that book is so good. I still cannot believe it.

-Greg

Re: does innovation require desperation?

Mrs. Micah — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 15:23:46 -0000

I don't know. I'm a much more dedicated blogger now that it's one of my larger income streams than I was when I had a full-time job. But sometimes desperation leads to stagnation because you put too much pressure on yourself. It squashes passion. Not always, but some days.

Of course, blogging isn't my only income either, so maybe that's part of it.

Re: does innovation require desperation?

David Carter — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 10:27:37 -0000

There is only 1 way to find out. You could always save up a bit of money, then take the plunge and quit contracting and give the problogging a go. You're a good writer, I think you could do it.

Re: does innovation require desperation?

Curmudgeon — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:53:59 -0000

Steve, don't confuse hunger with desperation. You can be "hungry" for income, recognition, or achievement without being financially desperate. You exhibit some of the characteristics of hunger by investing your time and talents into this blog, even though your expectations of income are either small or pushed off into the future.

I've been a freelance writer, almost always as a side business, for over 15 years. A number of those years I had a six-figure income from my regular job, yet continued an active freelance regimen. I will say, however, that those years when my regular income was in the six figures, I became less interested in collecting payment on my freelance work, because I was less in need of the money. But I still had the hunger for the work.