“The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away.”

Linus Pauling

Linus Pauling was a brilliant American scientist, well known for winning two Nobel Prizes: one in Chemistry and one for Peace (for his opposition to weapons of mass destruction). But beyond his work in science, Pauling had a keen understanding of creativity and how great ideas come to life.

One of his insightful quotes is: “The way to get good ideas is to get lots of ideas and throw the bad ones away”, providing valuable advice for anyone in business or entrepreneurship.

Pauling’s quote highlights an important truth: to find great ideas, you first need to generate a lot of them.

The best ideas don’t usually emerge from overthinking or waiting for the perfect one. Instead, it’s about coming up with many ideas, knowing that not all will work. The key is being willing to discard the bad ones and focus on refining the good ones. It’s through this process that true innovation happens.

For entrepreneurs, this mindset can make all the difference. Many people feel pressure to come up with a flawless idea right from the start. However, most successful businesses didn’t begin with a perfect plan. They began with several ideas, experimented, and adjusted along the way. By testing multiple concepts, business owners can discover what works and what doesn’t. Being able to let go of ideas that don’t show potential is crucial to finding the ones that do.

Overthinking can often prevent entrepreneurs from moving forward. When too much time is spent trying to perfect a single idea, it leaves little room for exploring other possibilities.

Pauling’s quote encourages action rather than hesitation. Instead of waiting for one ideal concept, entrepreneurs should be brainstorming as many ideas as possible. From there, they can evaluate which ones have the most promise and which ones should be set aside. This approach opens the door to new possibilities and helps push past creative roadblocks.

Take Slack, for example. The company we now know for its messaging platform didn’t start as a communication tool. Originally, it was a gaming company, but the founders realized their internal messaging system was more valuable than the game itself. They were willing to change direction and focus on what worked, letting go of their original idea. This ability to adapt, discard what wasn’t working, and shift to something better is exactly what Pauling’s quote speaks to.
Pauling’s message also eases the fear of failure.

Many entrepreneurs are hesitant to act on an idea because they worry it won’t succeed. But failure is part of the creative process. Acting on different ideas, even if they don’t work out, teaches valuable lessons. The trial-and-error process is how great ideas often come to life. Pauling’s words encourage people to not fear bad ideas but to embrace them as part of the journey.

It’s worth noting, when it comes to running businesses or when starting one, flexibility is key.

The ability to try new things, take risks, and be willing to pivot is often what separates successful businesses from those that stay stuck. When you allow yourself to generate many ideas, test them, and adjust as needed, you create a space for innovation. Pauling’s advice serves as a reminder that clinging to one idea can hold you back, while being open to exploring new directions can lead to greater success.

In the end, finding the right idea doesn’t come from having a perfect plan from the start. It comes from being open to generating many ideas, learning from each attempt, and continuously refining your approach.

Pauling’s quote delivers a powerful message - creativity is a process. The more ideas you create, the greater your chances of discovering the one that truly stands out. Entrepreneurs who embrace this mindset understand that success isn’t built on a single idea, but on the willingness to explore many.

Ideas Trading Center (ITC) is an American company bringing to market a patent-pending, easy-to-use, platform that allows idea generators to sell their new, non-obvious, and useful ideas directly and confidentially to idea reviewers and/or buyers (www.IdeasTradingCenter.com).