The end of the year is approaching and it’s a time for us all to give thanks and look back on 2010 with all its ups and downs. Many people may be wishing 2010 away, in hopes that this year will be quickly forgotten or replaced by a fresh year in 2011. But before you dismiss 2010 as a dismal year, try looking back on the past 12-months and do your best to identify the lessons learned, successes (big or small), life-changing events, etc.

Life’s a rollercoaster filled with exciting moments and seemingly dull ones, but within the low-points are the motivators and emotions that get us to our next peak. How much fun would a rollercoaster be without all the ups and downs?

Think about the noise a rollercoaster makes on the first hill. Clink, clink, clink as you slowly rise foot by foot, you feel adrenaline and anxiety because you know what’s about to come even though you can’t see it – a 150-foot near vertical drop followed by loops, turns, flips and more peaks & valleys. Think of 2010 as a year of anticipation and get excited for your future.

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Would you consider the founders of Paypal geniuses? How about the founders of Hotmail? Although this depends on your definition, we typically define trend-setters and innovators as geniuses. They had the smarts to develop something that changed humanity forever…or did they?

In the book “Founders at Work” by Jessica Livingston, she interviews the founders of the big name services we use today. Each interview is based around how they got the idea and got started. We quickly learn that many genius ideas came from…

1) Frustrations with things lacking in their own lives. Grubhub = frustrated with finding carryout/deliver restaurants close by.

2) A basic idea that grew into a big idea. Hotmail = a way to get around workplace firewalls for personal email.

3) Giving up entirely on the original idea in exchange for a better direction. Paypal = originally an app for the Palm OS turned into the payment system of choice for eBay users.

More important than smarts is remaining flexible and committed. These genius ideas were generated by sticking with an idea and seeing where it took them. Surprisingly, there are few regrets. Nobody said there weren’t a few whoopsies and disasters but according to the founders, these businesses would not be nearly as successful without these mistakes. What an amazing way to view the bumps in the road along the path to success!

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