The IDEA Triage FrameworkA fast system for deciding what to do with any idea — before it steals your time.Step 1 — Emotional SignalIs this idea alive for me?Ask:Do I love this idea?Do I feel energized thinking about it?Would I still want to pursue it if no one ever praised it?Score it:🔥 Love it
🙂 Like it
😐 Neutral
😒 DrainingIf it’s not at least a 🙂, it becomes friction later.Step 2 — Agency CheckDo I actually want to execute this?Ask:Do I want to be the person responsible for this?Do I want to think about this for months?Do I want to deal with the boring parts?Loving the idea is not the same as loving the work.Step 3 — Opportunity CostWhat does this idea displace?Every idea consumes:Time
Attention
Cognitive bandwidth
Emotional energyAsk:What would I NOT be able to do if I pursue this?Does this compete with higher-leverage goals?Is this a distraction disguised as creativity?If it crowds out family, health, core income, or flagship projects — it needs to be exceptional.Step 4 — Execution RealityCan I actually ship this?Ask:Do I have the skills?Do I have the time?Do I have the energy?Do I have the patience?If not:Can I simplify, delegate, automate, or buy my way out?If it requires becoming a new person, it’s probably not a “now” idea.Step 5 — MVP TestCan I build the smallest viable version?Ask:What is the tiniest real version of this?Could I test it in under 10 hours?Could I launch Version 0.1 without embarrassment?If it can’t be shrunk, it’s probably a fantasy.Step 6 — Routing DecisionWhere should this idea go?Choose one path:BUILD NOW
You love it, you want it, you can ship it, and it doesn’t crowd out higher priorities.PARK IT
Good idea, wrong season. Save it in your Idea Vault and revisit quarterly.GIVE IT AWAY (Targeted)
Great idea, wrong owner. Send it to the person it’s perfect for.RELEASE IT (Broadcast)
Fun idea, not yours to carry. Post it publicly and let someone else run with it.KILL IT
Delete it and feel lighter.