Let the idea drive …

Every founder builds their own myth, from humble beginning to the eureka moments, we all create a story where we are the heroes, the risk-takers, the entrepreneurs.

I have had my fair share of failures, and enjoy talking about them much more than my successes, it may be because of my self deprecated nature, or because their impact in my life is much higher.

I have been obsessed with reviewing my failures much more than my successes, I wanted to know why did they happen and I think I found the answer in comedy.

In a show created and hosted by Jerry Seinfield, Comedians in cars getting coffee, he interviews Dave Chappelle. As part of the conversation, Chappelle describes how he develops comedy from an idea.

CHAPPELLE: Sometimes the offering drives. If I have an idea, it should drive. It’s like the idea says, “Get in the car.” And I’m like, “Where am I going?” And the idea says, “Don’t worry, I’m driving.” And then you just get there.

SEINFELD: The idea’s driving.

CHAPPELLE: Sometime’s I’m shotgun. Sometimes I’m in the fucking trunk. The idea takes you where it wants to go.

SEINFELD: That’s great.

CHAPPELLE: And then other times, there’s me, and it’s my ego, like, “I should do something!”

SEINFELD: “I should be driving!”

CHAPPELLE: Yeah.

SEINFELD: That’s not good.

CHAPPELLE: No, ’cause there’s no idea in the car. It’s just me. That formula doesn’t work.

SEINFELD: If the idea is in the car honking, going, “Let’s go…” It pulls up in front of your house.

CHAPPELLE: That’s exactly right.

SEINFELD: “You’re in your pajamas. Get dressed!”

CHAPPELLE: “I’m not ready!” “You can go like this.” “Where are we going? What are we doing?” “Don’t worry about it. You’ll see.”

This exchange is the most valuable lesson I’ve learned as a founder.

When there is no idea in the car, the formula doesn't work, when you are pursuing success because of ego, legacy, or money, the formula doesn't work.

Ideas come from many places, but never from ego, never from self-validation, and never from pure fear.

You may be into something, so let the idea drive, and just make sure there you facilitate everything else for the trip. :-)