I am a really friendly and trusting guy. In what I imagine to be the real world, I’d assume that this is a great way to live your life. This post is about why I used to live that way - and the reasoning behind changing my plan of action.

In the past, after scheming up what I thought was a great idea, I’d bounce it off a friend or two who typically had relevant knowledge of the field in question. This is a great way to gauge how great, or how insanely stupid the idea was. Sometimes I need someone who is more of a codemonkey than I am, to help solve logistics and implementation. Unfortunately, I am starting to learn that not everyone is as trustworthy as myself.

In this day and age, where it takes only a domain name and minimal web design, ideas can bloom into full-blown businesses within hours. This economy has turned people with simple ideas and great execution into millionaires overnight. As much as I think this is great - and I consider myself a web entrepreneur - it is much easier for someone to take an idea you may have and beat you to the punch in deployment. We’ve all seen it happen. Friends develop a project together and soon start to think in different directions. As things begin to unravel, someone may be more devoted to the business and continue to pursue the opportunity. The other friend is left hanging while this guy is becoming a sensation.

The other example, which I’ve encountered personally, is even more despicable. You approach a friend with a brilliant idea, they kind of shrug it off and point out the negative aspects of the business and help you come to the conclusion that it might not be the best decision right now. A month later your “friend” has a domain name and a site up and is raking it in. “That was MY idea!” you think to yourself, but what can you do now?

Learn when to keep your mouth shut. Sometimes it is better to research and flesh out an idea on your own. Write things down, solidify the ideas in your head and start to develop a business plan. When you’ve come to the point where you’ve exhausted your own resources and need fresh ideas to get through a problem, think long and hard about who is the right person to approach.

Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements are a must. I don’t care how long you’ve known each other, from here on out if you are going to discuss any type of business plans or even bring a friend in on an idea you have, you need to both sign a mutual NDA. Initially you might experience some resistance, but explain to your buddy that this is business, not a marriage, and you aren’t asking them to sign a prenup.

I’m sure you’re probably thinking to yourself “I sure as hell wouldn’t be friends with someone if I knew they would do this to me.” Well think again. No matter how long you’ve known someone, sometimes the icy-cold grip of money and success is too powerful. You must never underestimate the power of the dark side.