Don’t skip the shitty first ideas
When brainstorming ideas—whether it’s for a new campaign, a product, or even a blog post—it’s tempting to aim for brilliance from the start. But here's the truth: the first ideas, often dismissed as “shitty,” are vital stepping stones to success. Skipping them isn’t just impractical; it could cost you the innovation you’re looking for.
Embrace the messy beginnings
Every creative process starts somewhere, and more often than not, that “somewhere” is messy, imperfect, and even cringe-worthy. It’s easy to disregard early ideas because they feel too simple, too ambitious, or just plain bad. But those initial sparks often hold the seeds of greatness.
The key is to document these ideas—all of them:
Write them down in a never-ending list of inspiration
Sketch them out to see how they flow
Record a quick voice memo to get it out into the world
Espeically if the idea feels half-baked or silly, preserving it gives you raw material to refine later.
Your early ideas might not be perfect, but they’re valuable. They provide insight into what works, what doesn’t, and what might be worth exploring further.
Test, learn, and build
Ideas that feel off the mark can serve as experiments. When you test them—even if only to confirm they won’t work—you’re building a foundation for better ideas.
Actionable steps
Start Small: Take an imperfect idea and test it on a small scale. Use low stakes to learn without fear of failure.
Iterate: Use what you learn from testing to improve your next attempt. Innovation rarely happens in a single leap; it’s a series of iterations.
Share Early: Collaborate with others to gain fresh perspectives. Even feedback on “shitty” ideas can lead to surprising breakthroughs.
By acting on imperfect ideas, you’re not just moving forward—you’re gathering the data and inspiration needed to refine your approach.
Skip the wait for perfection
Waiting for the perfect idea to strike can paralyze progress. Creativity thrives on action. The act of putting pen to paper, clicking “publish” on a draft, or presenting a half-formed idea forces momentum. Something is almost always better than nothing.
Why “something” matters
Momentum Fuels Creativity: When you take the first step, even with a flawed idea, you’re more likely to generate new, better ideas along the way.
Learning by Doing: You can’t know what works until you try. A bad idea in motion is more informative than a perfect idea in theory.
How to keep moving forward
Here’s how to keep “shitty first ideas” from stalling your progress:
Set a timer: Give yourself 10-15 minutes to jot down every idea that comes to mind, no matter how bad. This prevents overthinking.
Use “yes, and” thinking: Instead of dismissing an idea outright, build on it. Ask, “What if?” or “How could this work?”
Celebrate progress: Remind yourself that every step—even the awkward ones—brings you closer to your goal.
Shitty ideas can make a splash
Some of the most memorable campaigns and products started as laughable concepts. That’s because creativity often lies just beyond the edge of what feels comfortable or obvious. When you document and explore all your ideas, you’re creating the conditions for brilliance to emerge.
So don’t skip the shitty first ideas. Embrace them, test them, and let them guide you to the solutions that will truly make a splash.
Want some of our shitty ideas for your work? We’ve got you. We’ve also got better ideas after we get through the first batch.
