You’re probably thinking “ewww why are you mentioning sperm?” So before I begin, let me remind you that you, were at one point in your life a sperm, and you are in fact a winner because of it… you lucky zygote you!
Sperm… there are millions of them, swimming around, wagging their tails (is that what they’re called?) like little microscopic tadpoles. Each one on a mission, focused to get exactly it’s desired outcome. Each one holding the potential for a unique creation.
Like sperm, there are millions of ideas in the world, but only a select few actually fertilize into reality. Why is that? Well I’m no doctor, but I can write an entertaining post, so here are my thoughts on why ideas are like sperm:
- Ideas Need the Right Conditions - Put sperm on the parking lot of Wal-Mart on a 90 degree day and see what happens (please don’t try this in real life). Realize that the conditions have to be right for the idea to hatch into reality. Putting your idea in the wrong context or market will be about as successful as selling hamburgers in India.
- Ideas Face Barriers to Entry - Sperm face many barriers to entry. Condoms, a woman saying no (welcome to my life), and the millions of other sperm (up to 500 million to be exact). What life condoms are blocking your ideas? Self doubt, needless worry, fear of rejection? If a sperm felt that the egg would reject him why would he even bother swimming upstream? Likewise a successful sperm can’t focus on the other 500 million swimmers, he needs to focus on himself and wagging his tail as fast as he can.
- Ideas Need to be Nurtured - Even when the idea meets the right conditions like a sperm meeting the egg you still need to nurture it for a good while before it can actually become reality. The lesson here is to constantly nurture your idea, grow it, and wait at least 9 months before quitting!
- Ideas Need Focus - the life of a sperm is pretty straight forward. If a sperm could speak it would simply say “Egg, Egg, Egg, where’s the Egg, gimmie some Egg, Egg, Egg, Egg,” kind of like this commercial. What could you accomplish if only “Egg” was on your mind (not in a literal sense guys)?
- Ideas Start Small But Can Get Huge - Take your age, add 9 months and you have the distance in time that you were a microscopic organism (as sperm). Have you grown much since then?
- Ideas Die Quickly - According to good ol Wiki answers a sperm lives about 4-5 days even in ideal conditions. Good ideas don’t last long either. That’s why you need to pursue them while the iron is hot.
If you take nothing else from this post, realize that you probably have a ton of ideas, but only a select few will be your strongest swimmers. You probably already have a gut feeling about these I bet, so take a lesson from yourself in a previous life.
Swim hard towards your ideas, don’t give up for anything, wait at least nine months, and make sure you’re working in the right conditions. If you follow your own advice before you were born, you just might win the race all over again!
Can you think of any other reasons why ideas are like sperm?
Next time you visit a Wal-Mart parking lot on a 90 degree day, what will you think of?
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And you have millions of them and only one sticks!
Great post, and a controversial title that will hopefully attract a lot of readers.
Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..The Aweber Code….And Why You Need To Promote It!
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Ryan Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 9:28 am
Knock on wood, lol. thanks Tom
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Well, depending on which Walmart I go to, I might see a few condoms already in the parking lot.
Anyway, I love your entertaining and engaging style - it’s hilarious, but true. When I saw your title, it immediately reminded me being pregnant with possibilities and having to labor to birth that dream into reality. That’s why I often refer to planting seeds and nurturing them so they’ll come to fruition - I want to see the my desires in physical world some day… So yes, I guess I need to start taking my own advice before I end up in a Walmart parking lot…
Kiesha @ WeBlogBetter´s last blog ..How to ensure your blog is never found
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I appreciate this post. I have developed a great product that I believe there is a market for and my only barrier is “needless worry.” Thanks!
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Ryan,
You’ve ruined Wal-Mart for me. Permanently. The post started with, “Ewww.” then went onto “ok, funny, and he has a point, but still ewww” and THEN, “I’ll never go to WalMart again without thinking about this post.”
Man. It’s only Wednesday.
Moon Hussain´s last blog ..The “Secrets” To Landing Guest Posts
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Ryan Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Haha, at least I didn’t ruin anything that was super meaningful, only deeply discounted consumer products. I’m glad I could touch your life in some special way Moon.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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this is by far the most bizarre comparison that i have ever read. interesting but bizarre
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Ryan Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 9:30 am
Thought it’d be an attention grabber, bizarre is a great word choice, haha.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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kenyantykoon Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 11:51 pm
well it certainly attracted mine
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Ryan Reply:
March 2nd, 2010 at 2:19 am
Lol, nice.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
They are called FLAGELLUM! But they are colloquially referred to as tails. Anywho, this was a great post! I didn’t miss the self-deprecating humor either! LOL!
Also, we all were one half sperm and one half-egg!
I think you touched upon all the bases with your sperm/idea comparison. So I’ll leave it at that.
Investing Newbie´s last blog ..Money Moves
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Ryan Reply:
February 24th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Thank you! Couldn’t think of the word. I’m also impressed with your word of “colloquially” as I don’t think I’ve used it ever in my life… until today!
Glad you got a laugh out of my self-depreciating humor much like I did. Running a PF blog and talking about sharks doesn’t exactly seem to drive the women mad, lol.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Ryan,
A great metaphor about getting your ideas to work. Great fun and humour. Thank you for sharing.
Regards
Paul
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This is a totally different concept on ideas, connected the sperm with life.
Ideas are what makes our lives more thrilling, convenient, and gives the spark to life just like the sperm. People with ideas are able to see different ways of doing things in a unconvention way. So every time I see a Walmart I will think of this blog.
Arlene´s last blog ..Six ways to save money while you still have a job
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Dude you really know how to push it!
Here’s my 2 cents - You have to exercise the mind. The healthier your body the healthier the sperm… so the healthier the mind the healthier the ideas.
You could also turn in around a little. When your nuts get hot the sperm dies… So… keep a cool head because when you are hot headed you constrict the creative juices.
LeanLifeCoach´s last blog ..Health Care For Kids When You Can’t Afford It
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Ryan Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Just checking to see if you guys are really paying attention! lol
That’s a good angle, hadn’t thought of it at all. Thank you for your eloquent words about nuts! I think after this post I’ll be going back to PG tomorrow.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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I like the mention of the nine months as a waiting period for ideas. Too often (myself included), after a few weeks or months if something isn’t working it is abandoned. My goal is to stay persistent with my websites and continue to change and adapt until I see growth and interest increasing steadily.
Jeremy Johnson´s last blog ..Introducing The First Wizard, Lisa Irby
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Ryan Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 1:44 am
I have the same mentality Jeremy… went through a little bit of burnout late last week and early this week, but kept truckin. I find motivation when looking at what I might regret not doing which drives me to work harder; does that work for you as well?
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Jeremy Johnson Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 7:37 am
You know, that’s probably one of the biggest things for me, especially as I am 32 right now and I see time ticking away, and that is getting older and looking back over time and realizing I did not share the gifts and knowledge I have with the world and make a REAL effort to add some kind of value/interest with what I have.
I think that’s a key point - whether your website is getting just a few visitors or getting hundreds/thousands of visitors, there’s always going to be moments of burnout or fear of failure, but stomp it into the ground - take a few days off or a week to rejuvenate if needed, then get back to it.
Jeremy Johnson´s last blog ..Introducing The First Wizard, Lisa Irby
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Sometimes when it does work, it takes 18 years of hard work, heartache, joy and pain before you call it a success (ie. sell your business, or in the sperm case, kick your kid out of the house).
Bytta@151 Days Off´s last blog ..Day 17: Valentine on Vulcan
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Ryan Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 1:44 am
Haha, then you can kick that idea out of the house!
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Great post. Love the comparison. Sometimes it becomes mutiple products and then you don’t have time to nurture them..
HirEffendy Tahir´s last blog ..OFF-LINE ADVERTISING FOR YOUR HOME BUSINESS
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Ryan Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 1:45 am
Yup, then we totally lose focus on what we’re doing and beat ourselves. It’s hard to choose what to focus on though, I’ll agree.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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While I read this I couldn’t help but compare the nine month period to work through an idea, to the same nine months for the birth of someone new. All the discomfort that nags you with a business or idea as it takes shape, and the same discomfort while carrying for nine months, all to the end or beginning of something great.
Fun comparison, was kind of a clearing to get the waiting aspect.
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Excellent advice….you handled what could have been a “VERY BAD IDEA” into something amusing and informative regarding the relativity of all things life.
I kept wondering if my idea was worth a go or not. That is still undetermined but their is focus. http://theipadinterviews.wordpress.com/
Let’s see!
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Ryan Reply:
February 26th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
To some it still was a VERY BAD IDEA!
Oh well. So when do you get your ipad?
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Original analogy, but very depressing! I hope that a good idea has a better chance of making it to fruition than your analogy suggests!
By depressing, I mean, I would have a better chance of winning the lottery than having my ideas take root via the sperm analogy!
I think a more statistically accurate analogy would be “ideas are like sea turtles trying to make it do adulthood”, but then again… a title like that doesn’t have quite the same “BAM!!! Notice Me effect though. And as we all know, half the battle is getting titles (and ideas) noticed!
Good job, very funny and witty!!!
Money Reasons´s last blog ..Wealth Tip #4: Invest Money Saved on Food and Other Products
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Money Reasons Reply:
February 25th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Hehe, the more I chew on this analogy, the more it rings true… Pretty clever.
Money Reasons´s last blog ..Wealth Tip #4: Invest Money Saved on Food and Other Products
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Ryan Reply:
February 26th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Yea, this was an experiment in the BAM you mentioned and well… I think it worked by the number of comments it got and also the one email I got from a disappointed reader due to my “adult content.”
You’re right about the odds… maybe next time we’ll go back to a more family friendly animal or analogy.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Haha great post. Literally started laughing while sitting in starbucks. People in line looked at me! This is a great analogy because posts and ideas are a lot like sperm. Ideas can be annoying as well if not nurtured correctly.
Great post
Eric Saylor´s last blog ..Mean People Suck…
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Ryan Reply:
February 26th, 2010 at 5:08 pm
Glad I got to make you look a bit crazy in Starbucks!
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Next time you visit a Wal-Mart parking lot on a 90 degree day, what will you think of?
How cold it is in the meat locker.
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This was the second post today that mentioned sperm and the winner of the race. Hmmmm. great analogy though. I will never think of another thing without thinking of sperm instead of a lightbulb. I had a cartoon in my head the first time my wife got pregnant of a sperm entering the egg and taunting the others that didn’t make it. I can see my ideas doing the same thing now. Thanks a lot
Justin Matthews´s last blog ..Running Out of Either Steam or Caffeine
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Ryan Reply:
February 26th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
There’s an episode of family guy that has stewie battling the other sperm on the way to the egg which is Hilarious and your comment reminded me of that.
What was the other post you were referring to?
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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LOL I think my eyes widened slightly as I read the title of your post. Great analogy and a mini-biology lesson. Two birds with one stone- you are definitely a multi-tasker! =)
I started laughing out loud to myself (good thing I’m at home or else I’d look like a crazy)- great title!
youngandthrifty´s last blog ..Negotiating with Rogers Wireless- Head to Head Battle!
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Ryan Reply:
February 26th, 2010 at 5:10 pm
I’m thinking maybe health class and personal finance should be mixed together in schools nowadays, think it’s got hope?
judging from the comments on this post there would at least be people paying attention!
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Ryan,
Is this it man, you’ve gone over the edge! Good thing you found a job to occupy your time
Human nature provides so many examples of survivorship and success, it’s not THAT off base to make this reference.
To even take it a step further…
So would you say people with “fruitless” ideas would consider themselves “idea impotent”, which is why there’s such a large market of “experts” specliazing in “self-help medication”?
FinEngr´s last blog ..Maximizing Value, The Opposite of Earn More Spend Less
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Ryan Reply:
February 26th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
lol, creative. I’m not sure, I just threw out a few ideas (or well…) that seemed to match the analogy. I guess there could be therapy for those who have crappy ideas… I wonder if with treatment one could get better ideas? Treatment most likely being exposing yourself to a culture of new ideas from the people and books around you.
Anyways, yea… pushed the edge with this one, not sure if I lept over yet, but I know its close when I get emails from people saying they’ve unsubscribed due to my non family friendly content!
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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For whatever reason, I am NOT getting these email updates still! Double-check that I’ve marked the box and the address is right…wonder if you’re spam?
Really? That’s unfortunate they’ve unsubscribed, didn’t see anything particularly offensive or grotesque about the analogy. If anything, I thought it was a relatively appropriate given the context. Nothing was written strictly for shock and awe, each statement was related to the greater purpose (ideas).
Interestingly enough, does that mean you have readers who are going through this site with their kids? I guess that would be good news, hopefully we’ll skip a generation of wasteful spenders.
Keep on swimming you little idea you.
FinEngr´s last blog ..Maximizing Value, The Opposite of Earn More Spend Less
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Ryan Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 8:10 pm
I highly doubt kids are going through this stuff, maybe high schoolers at the earliest… If they wanted X rated stuff I’m pretty sure their first stop wouldn’t be Planting Dollars.
The email form on the right was scheduled to send out batches per 12 posts, but I recently changed that. I just signed up with aweber and still and am toying with it so I apologize. Much like the whole twitter thing, I am learning…
Swim Swim Swim!
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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Solid post, indeed. Another way ideas are like sperm is that because there are so many of them, we need more to increase our chances of success. Earlier, you said that the value of any single one is pretty low because of all the challenges. I’d add that if you don’t have a ton of them that you are always shooting out and testing, you probably won’t be able to make it either.
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Ryan Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 8:12 pm
Maybe we could call that the shotgun idea approach… throw out ideas in multiple directions and see what sticks. I do this sometimes, but the only problem is losing focus and jumping from one to the next… not sure the best way to handle ideas really… perhaps time chunking either in a day or periods of years focusing only on one idea / business.
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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I don’t even want to know what your motivation was for this post…
Great idea and great analogy - you definitely caught a lot of peoples’ attention with this post. I like your comparison that ideas need the right conditions, very true.
David @ MBA briefs´s last blog ..Do mass firings improve performance?
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Ryan Reply:
March 1st, 2010 at 8:14 pm
Haha, I was thinking that there would be a bit of shock value thus causing some people to link to the post and many to comment.
As of now it’s the most commented post on my site. In hindsight I’m not sure that people seeing this as the most popular post is the best thing for gaining the overall theme of the site, lol… Oh well!
Ryan´s last blog ..Why Ideas are Like Sperm
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What a refreshing post! I’ll have to say that this post is really a mix of emotions, logic and conclusions. But I really like the way that you deliver your ideas Ryan, and I’m very much inspired with your success on your site.
By the way, congrats!
It really feels good to know that at least, there is someone out there just starting out and is able to get really good results with their site.
So should I say that this is a contrary to what most people say that you should wait for months or even more than a year to get results?
Benjie @ Zordane´s last blog ..Setting Up A Good Foundation
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Ryan Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 1:54 am
Hey Benjie… the reason some sites take longer than others to grow is because of the amount of action they’ve taken. Yes you can post every other day and not comment much and it’ll take several years to be successful, or you can post everyday, comment on a ton of blogs, and guest post a ton while building your brand… both strategies will have different results. The main difference is simply work. Work harder and smarter than the majority and you’ll get better/quicker results.
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Excellent thought with great title. Being Software Developer we normally faces things where we think that our mind is not working , ideas stop. And one my friend says that its God Gifted be calm and you will get what you want, nice point “Likewise a successful sperm can’t focus on the other 500 million swimmers, he needs to focus on himself and wagging his tail as fast as he can.”
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Ryan Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 1:56 am
Great ideas are hard to come by, agreed. I find my best ideas usually come after a good workout in the gym or in the shower. As a result I always have a notebook close by.
Thanks for commenting!
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Great analogy of sperm and ideas. I really enjoyed reading. I agree with what you’ve stated about the similarities between a zygote’s progression and an idea. It’s the spark of creativity. Thanks for sharing.
Eric J´s last blog ..Few Tips For Work From Home Businesses That Can Have You Making Money Fast
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Do ideas really die quick? Strange, i didn’t figure that out.
Ryan, i think this your post title is the most captivating I’ve evered heard.
great post
innocriss´s last blog ..Social Entrepreneurship – Now is the Time
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This is another great article. Yeah people struggle to choose the right ideas and often fail. The post is awesome man.
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Excellent post. I like the way you’ve connected the life angle to ideas. Gonna post your link on my site this weekend.
Austin @ TheOrangePaper.com´s last blog ..How To Identify The Right Reason Before Buying a House
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