You get the best idea ever.

It just hits you out of nowhere. A solution for a common problem. The multi-million dollar business. It’s a sure thing. You’re gonna be rich.

You’re so darn excited and you just can’t hide it. And that’s when you make your first mistake …

You open your mouth. You ask someone — a friend, sibling, co-worker — what they think about your big idea.

Brace yourself. Incoming!!

For the next half hour your brilliant idea gets a poop shower. You hear about every which way it won’t work out. You don’t have enough money. A big company will just steal your idea and do it themselves. People don’t really want what you’re selling, anyway. Don’t waste your time with this. It’s a loser. Come up with something else, they tell you.

Nine times out of 10, the idea ends here. Annihilated by someone else’s opinion. By the opinion of an individual who has never DONE anything remotely close to what you want to do.

We really have to stop doing this sh*t.

Some of the best advice I’ve ever gotten is this: seek counsel, not opinions.

In other words, when you want to run an idea by someone, don’t run it by a person who has zero experience with it. That almost never goes well.

Instead, seek out the counsel of someone who has been there and done that. Someone who can speak from real experience, not baseless opinion.

If all fortunes begin with an idea, then your ideas must be fiercely protected from the cynical attitudes of others. Be selective with whom you share your ideas. What you think in secret will come to pass.

On today’s Throwback Thursday episode, Greg S. Reid encourages you to do what successful people do. Seek counsel, not opinions.

Greg’s books, including Three Feet from Gold, are available at QODBooks.com. You can find today’s full clip here.

Enjoy today’s quote. Leave a comment below and let us know what you think!

Sean