The pursuit of an idea to its effective implementation is the highest level of creative human endeavor.
Leo B. Moore, Sourcebook for Creative Problem Solving
Creative ideas are great. Without implementation, though, they are simply idle speculations. A great idea may fuel interesting conversations or inform exciting dreams. But real innovation requires disciplined implementation.
We’ve all known big thinkers. But how many have brought their brilliant ideas to fruition through detailed planning, focus, risk-taking and action? Innovators are doers, not talkers. Here’s a compelling, fun and entertaining example of just such an innovator.
Sketchy Andy Lewis is a five-time World Champion slackliner. He holds the world free SOLO (180′ long) slackline record, and earlier this year, he set the world highline record with a 4000′ effort between two hot air balloons.
In the dramatic three-minute video above, Sketchy Andy comments on the nature of innovation: “In general, when you do something first, it’s always hardest. Just to have the idea is really easy. ‘Oh, I’ve thought of this!’ Everybody’s thought of doing a hot air balloon highline.” But Sketchy Andy is the first to actually do it.
What’s a highline, you ask? A slackliner? Just play the video and you’ll see. Oh, and the BASE jump is pretty spectacular as well.
If you are intrigued by Sketchy Andy and want to watch more, view the short video below where he walks the world’s tallest free standing tower-summit-to-summit slackline at Fisher Towers on the Colorado River outside of Moab, Utah.