Seth Godin posts another great piece over at his blog detailing some statements he's heard or read in response to the posing of a new idea. The post is titled "Top ways to defend the status quo" and if your anything like me, this list hits home and is all too familiar. My favorite is number 3:

Can you show me some research that demonstrates that this will work?

If one thing gets under my skin, it's that mindset.

An example: the group here at Seen Creative, along with our friend Seth at STAACH, are in the process of starting a new networking event and conference in the area. Seth and I had a meeting with a local business organization who has experience in this area and who might be able to assist us in the future. Now, this idea is a very different and unique take on the traditional networking experience, so it might be intimidating. But I think it's a really great idea that would benefit everyone involved. Long story short, we were basically asking them: Has anyone done this before? Do you think there is room for this in the community? Etcetera. And from them we wanted nothing more than a "Yea, that's an interesting idea. We are definitely here to support you if you need us"

Now to their credit, they did say "Yea, that's an interesting idea." But that was followed up with something like, "But we can't make any further comments on it without some supporting numbers. Why don't you do some research and put together a better plan. Kind of like a business plan. Get as much supporting data as you can, then come back and show us."

Yea, no thanks. How about we just do it. With all the time and energy spent on research and generating supporting numbers, we could have just done the damn thing. What is this fear people have that they feel can be cured through enough supporting market research. You know something? There is enough research out there so that if you try hard enough, you can tweak it to support almost any idea.

And furthermore, who knows if that data has any merit in this particular situation. Who knows if any of it will even matter. But you know why they love it so much? It's because, like Mr. Godin points out, it maintains the status quo. It makes them more comfortable. It prevents, for that much longer, the stress of change.

Screw that. What came of our meeting was pretty much this:
"Hey, how about instead of planning and supporting and researching what we are going to do... why don't we just DO IT. And as far as them in the meeting room... forget 'em, we will just do this without 'em. It isn't that much of an investment, and if it doesn't work, so what?"

Not to mention the time saved but not gathering "the numbers" only reduces the investment. Because time is sometimes a more important investment than money. Especially for a small business like ours that doesn't really have any money in the first place (which is why we needed to get so creative with the idea).

So, if you're like us, you just make it happen. The status quo is for people who are afraid of progress; people who value complacency over change; and people who, as much as they want to remain in their comfortable positions forever, will soon be far behind. Either they are with you, or eventually they'll be against you.

"Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the ark. Professionals built the Titanic."
-Unknown