Excitability as an Idea Filter

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 Have you ever noticed that some ideas immediately grab your attention, while others barely register? It’s like your brain is wired to react differently depending on what’s in front of you. But here’s the question: could that initial burst of excitement be a reliable way to decide which ideas are worth your time and energy?

I’ve been thinking a lot about how excitability can serve as a filter for deciding which ideas to pursue. If you’re like me, you probably find yourself constantly bombarded by thoughts and possibilities—some of them are exciting, some not so much. But in a world full of potential distractions, how do you know which ones are worth pursuing? Maybe the answer lies in listening to your excitement.

Let’s start by acknowledging something: not all ideas are created equal. Some ideas hit you like a lightning bolt, making your heart race and your mind spin with possibilities. Others feel more like a dull thud—interesting, maybe, but not exactly thrilling. It’s easy to dismiss this reaction as just an emotional response, but what if it’s actually your brain’s way of telling you something important?

Think about it: when you get excited about an idea, it’s usually because it resonates with something deep inside you. Maybe it aligns with your interests, challenges your thinking, or just feels fun. That excitement can be a powerful motivator, pushing you to dive deeper and invest your energy. But here’s the thing—excitability doesn’t just push you toward ideas; it also helps you filter out the ones that don’t spark joy.

In my experience, the ideas that excite me the most are usually the ones that are worth pursuing. When I first got into technology, it wasn’t because someone told me to—it was because I felt this intense curiosity and excitement about what I could do with it. That excitement drove me to spend hours experimenting, learning, and eventually building a career. If I had ignored that initial excitement, I might have missed out on something that became a huge part of my life.

But let’s flip the script for a moment. What about the ideas that don’t excite you? The ones that seem okay but don’t really light a fire inside you? In my experience, those are often the ideas that fizzle out quickly. I’ve had plenty of projects that I started out of obligation or because they seemed “practical,” but without that underlying excitement, they never really went anywhere. I would lose interest, get distracted, or just find myself putting in the bare minimum effort.

So, is excitability a foolproof filter? Not necessarily. There’s always the risk of getting caught up in the moment and chasing something that’s all flash and no substance. But even then, excitement can be a useful tool. It can lead you to explore new territory, test out ideas, and discover what really matters to you. And if the excitement fades, that’s a signal too—it tells you that maybe this idea isn’t the one to stick with.

Here’s how I’ve learned to use excitability as a filter in my own life: when an idea excites me, I take it as a sign to dive in. I give myself permission to explore it fully, to see where that excitement leads. But I also use that excitement as a litmus test. If the idea continues to excite me over time, if it holds up under scrutiny, then I know it’s something worth pursuing. If not, I’ve learned to let it go and move on to the next thing.

This approach has helped me focus my energy on the ideas that truly matter to me, while avoiding the trap of getting bogged down in projects that don’t resonate. It’s about trusting your instincts, but also being mindful of where those instincts lead. Not every idea will be a winner, but the ones that pass the excitability test are more likely to be the ones that pay off in the long run.

So, the next time you find yourself brimming with excitement over an idea, don’t dismiss it as just an emotional reaction. Instead, see it as a valuable filter—a way to sort through the noise and focus on what really matters. Use that excitement to guide you, but also to challenge you. Ask yourself why this idea excites you, what potential it holds, and whether it’s worth your time and energy. If it is, dive in. If not, let it go.

In the end, excitability isn’t just about passion—it’s about discernment. It’s a way to navigate the sea of ideas, helping you focus on the ones that truly resonate with you. And in a world where attention is often the scarcest resource, that’s a filter worth paying attention to.

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