Is there a lesson to be derived here or is it just to point out that oftentimes the thing that gains traction in the end isn't what they were originally working on? If there is a lesson, what would it be? Just work on anything to get your head in the game and into the mindset of solving problems? I can see how people overvalue the original idea, but it matters to some degree, no?
Sure, there are lessons here. And it’s certainly not “just work on anything”. It’s really that the initial idea is often overvalued, as you already said, that execution is more important than ideas, that you should constantly (re)validate your idea, and that you should be ready to pivot.
We know this from “The Lean Startup”, but practical examples can show why some aspects are important. And it’s not just small teams and solo founders from startups and young companies that may place too much importance on a great initial idea. It’s certainly also the general public, where most people belief that successful startups are the result of a genius having a clever idea. See basically every movie about inventions (and young companies). That general public also includes a lot of (potential) investors.
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Is there a lesson to be derived here or is it just to point out that oftentimes the thing that gains traction in the end isn't what they were originally working on? If there is a lesson, what would it be? Just work on anything to get your head in the game and into the mindset of solving problems? I can see how people overvalue the original idea, but it matters to some degree, no?
Sure, there are lessons here. And it’s certainly not “just work on anything”. It’s really that the initial idea is often overvalued, as you already said, that execution is more important than ideas, that you should constantly (re)validate your idea, and that you should be ready to pivot.
We know this from “The Lean Startup”, but practical examples can show why some aspects are important. And it’s not just small teams and solo founders from startups and young companies that may place too much importance on a great initial idea. It’s certainly also the general public, where most people belief that successful startups are the result of a genius having a clever idea. See basically every movie about inventions (and young companies). That general public also includes a lot of (potential) investors.