How to filter ideas?

[Juhas]

Hi, I have many, many, maaaany ideas. And I think that this is main problem of mine.
Now, how you filter your ideas? I mean, my first criteria now is: "Can I afford now for doing this idea?" But after that I have still a lot of thinks I would like to do. I know that I should make one thing at the time, but... which one? What are your working ways of filtering ideas?

 

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[Tossek]

"...a man, being just as hungry as thirsty, and placed in between food and drink, must necessarily remain where he is and starve to death."

— Aristotle, On the Heavens 295b, c. 350 BC

In worst case: Just pick one and start, fail, learn, repeat. Optimizing an idea takes also time, time you might have checked a category of ideas whether they are suitable or not.

In any other case: Write down pro, cons and needed effort. I suggest to start with the lowest effort first to learn how you deal with working on your own ideas anyways.

 

[srodrigo]

Validate the ideas to see which ones have better odds of success.

 

[astr0]

Do your ideas come from the solution or the need? The ones that came from knowing the needs/wants and figuring out the solution are better.
How well can you execute them?
How strong is your proof of the need?
How many people you can potentially help in scale or magnitude?
Do you have a good business model for it to be profitable?
How long it takes to hit the market?
Does it have an entry barrier? Are they strong enough? Can you pass them?
Does your idea rely on a third-party company and can be doomed because of their single decision?
Can it run on autopilot in the future or you can have a good exit?
Does it trade your or someone else's time for the money? Always?

 

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[Pantheon Brian]

Hi, I have many, many, maaaany ideas. And I think that this is main problem of mine.
Now, how you filter your ideas? I mean, my first criteria now is: "Can I afford now for doing this idea?" But after that I have still a lot of thinks I would like to do. I know that I should make one thing at the time, but... which one? What are your working ways of filtering ideas?

Which idea makes the most CENTS?

 

[astr0]

For the first business, the most important thing is actually solving a problem. Filling a need with a product or service that people would pay for. Many people just do something cause they got a great idea that no one ever thought of (they do). Sometimes it ends with billion-dollar businesses, but much more often with building something no one needs.

If you have many options you can execute well, then yeah, I would choose based on CENTS.