Mike Carruthers

Hi, Paul.

Welcome to Something You Should Know.

Hi.

So let's start with a story.

Everyone loves a good story.

And when we're talking about legendary ideas that come from unexpected places, a good story could really set the tone here.

So let's start there.

And is that a good story because it's so rare and unexpected and unusual or is it a good story because it illustrates great ways that ideas show up?

And that's the most famous story.

Of course, a lot of things happen by accident that turn out to be nothing or bad ideas or easily discardable ideas.

I mean, if that guy had not liked those potato chips, nothing might have happened.

I mean, there's so many... Exactly right.

Yeah.

There are so many things that have come and gone because they didn't work.

So how do you know what's going to work?

So many times I've thought about this, because as I look back on my own life, nothing seems to really go according to plan, or not for long.

Like, you might have a plan and launch your plan, but pretty soon something's going to derail it or divert it or something.

And yet people talk about planning their life and planning their career and planning, but almost nothing goes according to plan.

Exactly.

But it seems so unhuman-like, unhuman nature to just sit back and say, well, I hope something randomly wonderful shows up today, and if not, maybe tomorrow.