Why Do Ideas Spread? 5 Factors That Make a Difference by David Burkus with Goins Writer on Sharing Ideas that Inspire and Connect

23 Oct 2025 • 6 min • EN
6 min
00:00
06:42
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Discover all of the podcasts in our network, search for specific episodes, get the Optimal Living Daily workbook, and learn more at: OLDPodcast.com. Episode 1849: David Burkus explains that even the most brilliant ideas fail to spread without the right conditions. Drawing from Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation, he highlights five key factors, relative advantage, compatibility, simplicity, trialability, and observability, that determine whether creative work gains traction or fades unnoticed. Understanding these principles helps creators refine their message so audiences not only notice their ideas but also share them. Read along with the original article(s) here: https://goinswriter.com/ideas-spread/ Quotes to ponder: "Despite our oft-stated desire for more creativity, we also hold a stronger desire for certainty and structure." "Relative advantage is what most people think of when they visualize something being 'creative.'" "For your work to be seen, it has to depart from the status quo. But that departure makes many people uncomfortable." Episode references: The Art of Work: https://www.amazon.com/Art-Work-Proven-Path-Discovering/dp/0718022076 Real Artists Don’t Starve: https://www.amazon.com/Real-Artists-Dont-Starve-Creativity/dp/0718086260 Diffusion of Innovations: https://www.amazon.com/Diffusion-Innovations-5th-Everett-Rogers/dp/0743222091 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From "Optimal Work Daily - Career, Productivity and Entrepreneurship"

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