According to the website todayifoundit.com… the United States once planned on firing a nuclear bomb at the moon. The motivation behind this insane idea was the desire to one-up the Soviet Union during the 1950’s space race. Fortunately, the idea was abandoned due to concern about public opinion over blowing up our solar system friend.

During my senior year in high school, me and a few buddies thought we should celebrate the United States Bi-centennial year by spray-painting “The Spirit of 76″ in neon yellow at the top of a 125-foot smokestack located behind our school. That stupid idea seemed even stupider when we were busted by a 4’8” red-faced, angry nun. When my long-haired, hippie-looking partner-in-crime completed his descent from the smokestack, he said to the angry nun… “What’s happening sister?” She wasn’t amused.

If you are a visionary, you probably have a dozen or more ideas popping into your head every week. That is your gift… it is also your curse. Obviously… based on the stories above… not every idea is a good idea. Here are questions you can ask to help filter your idea machine:

Is it crazy?

To nuke the moon would be sheer lunacy (no pun intended). Climbing a 125-foot smokestack was dangerous. Some ideas put you or your organization at an unreasonable level of risk. If your idea doesn’t pass the crazy test… forget about the next two hoops! Into the garbage can it goes.

Is it core?

Does the idea fit tightly with your vision? Does it get you more focused as an individual? As an organization? Or does it make you less focused?

Is it confirmed?

Have you bounced the idea off of the smartest, most experienced, and most honest people you know? Have you asked them to challenge your thought process? If you’re a Christian, part of this third hoop includes talking to God about it and letting Him weigh in.

I’m pretty sure you’ll never think to nuke the moon… or spray-paint a 125-foot smokestack… but when an idea crosses your cranium… avoid the temptation to jump at it right away. Good ideas will survive the crazy/core/confirmed sizing-up process.