Anyone who has tried to push a new idea to friends or family has probably met some interesting reactions. It's always hard to convince people to go along with your ideas because most of the time many ideas may seem too good to be true.
When we discuss ideas we have a perfect image in our minds of what should be happening. We have all of the components lined up and we've hit the ground running; however, we need to get past the criticism. Sometimes this may be the most disheartening part. Trusted friends and relatives turning you down because it doesn't sit well with them. But why is this? Is it because they don't like you or the idea?
From what I've found, it's not so much of either. When people try to pitch me an idea, my first reaction is to think, "What's in it for me?" As selfish as it may sound, many people want to know why they should get involved. As new ideas come and go, people become accustomed to just doing things they've always done and it's difficult to change your habits. That's why the ideas hit such a hard barrier.
When I've been the one pitching the ideas, it seems like people agree with me that they are good ideas and that they would like to see how it goes, but that doesn't mean much in the end. It basically means that they are going to sit by and if it goes well, they are going to give you a congratulations and try to get in on the action. Though there is much to be said about this behavior, it's not the main focus.
The main focus is what you are able to do to get people interested in actually helping you with either a project or doing something that will actually benefit you in the end. So what are you able to do?
The first thing that I would recommend is getting to know a significant amount of people; expand your network. There are many types of people in the world with various skills and abilities, but also concerns and thresholds. People can only bear so much before they give way and other people just can't contribute. The more people that you have in your Rolodex and the more people that you have a personal relationship with, the better your chances will be of getting support.
The second thing that I would recommend is to collaborate with yourself before you begin collaborating with others. There's nothing that pains me more than having to listen to someone who doesn't know what they are trying to do and doesn't know how they are going to do it. You need to have things set up before-hand. You are going to be the "project manager" for your endeavor and you're going to have to know a thing or two before you get started.
The third thing is to develop trust. There is no reason why people would ever want to contribute if the element of trust does not exist. Trust needs to exist within and without your project and be a part of everything that you are asking others to do. You need to lead the way and not be a bystander. People have to be able to rely on you.
I've always tried to get my friends and family in on the ideas that I come with; however, bizarre they may be. In the past, my fore-sight got the best of me and I needed to learn a lesson or two. As I've gotten older, it has become apparent that there is something else that is important. The way that you approach. The common cliche that people run up against is people assuming that you want them to buy something or you want their money straight-up. I find that this has some truth. You need to know what you are asking. There are some things that just are bad ideas.
To conclude, I believe that the best way to get people to like your ideas is to make it appeal to them; help them to understand how it can be a part of their lives. Generally people aren't going to take time to just do something, especially if they've already forgotten about it. There needs to be the catch; the thing that gets them. Putting that together may be the hardest part, but it is by far the most essential.
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