What's Your Big Idea?

Photo by Etienne Boulanger on Unsplash

While perusing social media I came across this perspective offered by the well-known actor, Tom Hanks. He tells a story of a director getting annoyed with the crew during filming. The director says, 
"All you have to do is show up on time; know the text; and have an idea."
This statement struck Tom Hanks as an important thing to remember, not just in the context of his work as an actor, but in all areas of his life.

Just last week, I had a goal to capture some video for the work I am producing. I maybe had a vague goal of getting footage, but not a specific outline of the video I wanted and the shots I needed. The result was that I started wasting other people's time while I considered what I should film and what I wanted my actors to do. We eventually captured some footage I believe will be useful, but even as we were filming I was a little disappointed with myself that I had not shown up in as prepared a position as I could have. I am grateful to those who stayed and worked with me. 

Ironically, or perhaps I should say more naturally, I have spent the past month mentally complaining about others not really showing up either on time, knowing the text, or with an idea. And it has been driving my suffering. The key element driving my suffering is one additional element not included in this idea of showing up. Curiosity is essential because it also means letting go of one right way for things to be and allowing for others to contribute, to improve, and for one's own growth. 
Read on for a more detailed description of these 4 key elements.

RIGHT TIME
Not everything should be done at the moment we are inspired to do it. Sometimes it is better to wait and sometimes we wait until it is too late. There is a time when the effort or action matters. Being able to discern the right time to contribute is critical to making the effort or action more powerful.
KNOW THE TEXT
Preparation for action is critical. When being run down by a bear, it is good preparation to have a bear bell, to know the area, to be able to know what to do when you encounter a bear. When it is time to send your project, it is great if you know how to best warm up for the send, how to best eat and hydrate in the 24 hour before the big push. This is preparation - knowing the text.
HAVE AN IDEA
Having an idea relates to contributing your passion, your unique light, your spin in a way that not only supports the goal and getting the job done, but that makes the outcome even more expansive and powerful. The idea is adding your unique talent and skills to the project. 
WHAT ELSE IS POSSIBLE?
Let me tell you a little story...it was a cold October morning and Nick was trying to send his project in Rifle, Co. He was not having much luck. Given the less than ideal conditions, the only other folks in the canyon were Tommy Caldwell and his dad, Mike. They brought their little propane heater and, while rubber on the shoes warmed, Nick and Tommy discussed the section of the route where Nick was a low percentage of success. Tommy offered his sequence for the section. Nick went up and tried it, realizing it may actually give him a little higher percentage of success. Armed with a new sequence and semi warm shoes, Nick was going to give it one more real try and then call it a day. He started up the route and fell in the section with the new sequence Tommy had given him. His indicated he would just complete the route and come back another day. Tommy's dad told him to come down, and rest fifteen minutes, then give it another try. After what seemed a really long fifteen minutes, Nick started up again. This time he did not come down until he had clipped the anchor and had a new 5.14b send under his belt. The moral of the story... the ability to be curious about whether someone else's idea might work gave Nick success that day. So many of us get locked into our own way being the right and only way or idea. 

So get curious.
Consider the other ideas being brought forward and how they might work.
Consider where you are not showing up when you should be.
Consider whether you are prepared for what you are showing up for. 
Consider whether you have reflected on the role you are playing and have ideas to contribute to the goal.