Scott Berkun has a great quote about resistance to ideas: The default state of an idea is non-adoption.

Reflecting on this quote, it useful to consider why that is so. For many reasons, people, in any arena, will resist change. That is just the way it is, so it is best to expect it.

While too many to list, there are commonalities between them. Here are five common sources of resistance to change:

1. Inertia. Existing relationships, satisfaction with the status quo, laziness and busyness hinder change.
2. Indecision. People believe that their decisions are based on free will, and having more options gives them a sense of freedom. Yet when it comes time to make a decision, people will hesitate because it means reducing their options.
3. Fear of making mistakes. This one goes with the previous point, as people avoid making decisions to not make mistakes.
4. Lack of best practices. Most people are followers, so they need a “role model” to follow. If none exists, they won’t have behavior to copy.
5. People don’t care about your product/service because they don’t like it. While there are ways to be make yourself and your ideas likeable, you can’t force people to like you or your ideas. Just because it makes sense doesn’t mean people will care.

So, in thinking about why your idea might not work, consider the above list of resistors.

Remember, resistance to change is the norm, not the exception.