For those of you who have followed this blog through the years, you know that I often reference Jimmy Buffett and Seth Godin.  It’s an interesting combo – a singer best known for his laid-back  ‘Margaritvalle’ empire and a marketing and business author best known for his blog, or his books, or his bald head, or his funky glasses.

I could probably write a book on the similarities of the two.  Throw in Howard Stern and it would make for an interesting read…I think.

This process of drastically changing course with Snoloha reminds me why I’m such a big fan of Jimmy, Seth and Howard.

Seth has a post today that sums it up nicely:

“I don’t get it”

“I don’t like it”

“I don’t understand it”

Those are the only responses your new idea can possibly generate from many around you if your new idea is actually a great idea, something ownable, something you can build work around.

The popular, obvious, guaranteed ideas have definitely been taken, or are so small that they’re not really worth your blood and tears.

That means if the new title of your book is instantly understood by all, it’s generic or descriptive, not something that people will associate with you as a creator or as someone who brings us new insight.

That means if your app does something so predictable that everyone is sure it’s going to work, you’re not making a big enough leap.

And that means that if your political idea is so palatable that everyone is going to vote for it immediately, it’s not going to change anything.

“I’ll ask around the office,” is shorthand for, “no. Make it more boring. Banal. And less likely to succeed, please.”

That’s the challenge with a concept like Snoloha.  And that’s the challenge for the way that my brain is wired.

If I could simply ‘dummy it down’ and do what everyone else is doing it sure would be easier.  Be generic.  Fit it.  Conform.

Sounds horrible, though.

Instead, I’ll continue down the path of ‘I don’t get it’, ‘I don’t like it’ and ‘I don’t understand it’.  I’ll continue with the belief that a Jimmy Buffet or Howard Stern is much more the model to follow, rather than the endless amount of folks out there simply ripping off others’ ideas to make a quick buck.

I do believe that if you truly want to make a dent in the universe you have to go to the edges and stay out of the mainstream fray.  It’s not as safe.  But it sure is more exciting and rewarding.

How exactly does this relate to Snoloha?

I’m figuring it out.

One thing is certain, I never want to end up like those ‘old men in tank tops’ that Buffet sings about in the original version of Margaritaville (this verse was excluded from the song to make it more radio friendly for song length)

Old men in tanktops
Cruising the giftshops
Checkin’ out Chiquitas down by the shore
They dream about weightloss
Wish they could be their own boss
Those three day vacations become such a bore

Our ride on this crazy blue ball is too short to waste it settling.

 

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