This Thursday March 8th, 2012 I'll be speaking at WXN's Top 100 Panel in Calgary entitled "The Big Idea".

The focus of the panel is on how to effectively bring forward innovative ideas and steward them towards successful outcomes within any organization.

Knowing how to determine whether you've got a good idea is the first step in bring it to fruition. The second step is to know what to do when things change.

Most entrepreneurs and intraprenerurs, those who bring forward innovative ideas within their existing organization, don't end up exactly where they thought they would. Ideas change. Ideas fail. Ideas grow. To make your idea successful requires determination and an open mind. Rather than viewing a pilot project as a flop; view it as a learning opportunity. Get better. Get smarter. Get faster.

The road to Rich by Thirty, my first book, was long and difficult. I shopped my manuscript around to different publishers and was rejected dozens of times. The resounding concern amongst publishers was that no one would take a twenty-something young women seriously; translating into poor sales. After two years of rejections, I finally found a publisher who reluctantly believed in the book. They took a risk, signed me up, and published Rich by Thirty. It quickly hit the best seller lists.

Each time I was rejected, I could have given up. But I didn't. I took the feedback when it was offered, revised the outline and improved the overall idea.

Certainly there were days when I felt like giving up; I still have those days now. But the key is not to give up. Ideas can get better with an open mind and willingness to improve.

Perseverance is critical when it comes to developing your idea AND perseverance only comes from one place – your passion. So, if you're idea gets sidelined or temporarily derailed, dig deep and re-engage with your passion. Your passion will give you the fuel you need to carry on.

I want to thank WXN for the wonderful opportunity join the list of 2011 Top 100 Most Powerful Women in Canada in the category of Future Leaders.

Follow me on Twitter @LesleyScorgie or visit my website at www.lesleyscorgie.com.