I know we've talked about being careful who we listen to, and believing the opinions that others are quick to give us. Typically, these opinions, about who we are and what we can do, come from friends and relatives who truly believe that they have our best interests at heart. The challenge for each of us is when we confer the title of "expert" on these folks, and believe what they say, without question.

An email I received this morning brought home just how wrong "the experts" can be, especially when their pronouncements come with the authority of their position. Here are some examples:

- "Man will never reach the moon regardless of all future scientific advances." (Dr. Lee DeForest, "Father of Radio & Grandfather of Television")

- "I think there is a world market for maybe five computers." (Thomas Watson, Chairman of IBM, 1943)

- "I have traveled the length and breadth of this country and talked with the best people, and I can assure you that data processing is a fad that won't last out the year." (Editor in charge of business books for Prentice Hall, 1957)

- "But what is it good for?" (Engineer at the Advanced Computing Systems Division of IBM, 1968, commenting on the microchip.)

- "A cookie store is a bad idea. Besides, the market research reports say America likes crispy cookies, not soft and chewy cookies like you make." (Response to Debbi Fields' idea of starting Mrs. Fields' Cookies.)

- "We don't like their sound and guitar music is on the way out." Decca Recording Co., rejecting the Beatles, 1962)

- "There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home." (Ken Olson, President, Chairman and Founder, Digital Equipment Corporation, 1977)

I have a suggestion. Be your own expert. Nobody knows you like you do. Be wise, but don't be afraid to try something that hasn't been done before. "Never been done before" is where true innovation lives.