No matter who you are, some scholar can show you the great idea you had was had by someone before you.

At some point in your life or in your research and development journey, especially if you work in an intellectual field, you may suddenly feel the rush of finding something completely original or groundbreaking, something that you're absolutely convinced no one has thought of before. It might be an idea for a new product, a fresh take in the literature of classics, a new theory, or a general way to look at the world. As you start thinking about it, formulating it in your mind, you suddenly get excited, convinced that your wisdom can transform the world.

But there's a catch: If your work entails a research on any form of content, be it tangible or intangible, one day, you may find that your unique idea or creation was actually thought or made two decades ago or so by a scholar or an artist or a creator you weren't familiar with at all. That feeling of pride can dissolve quickly as you come to terms with the fact that the idea was thought of before and that you are, of course, not as original as you thought.

So, whether you are a scientific researcher, a writer, a tech enthusiast, or just a curious individual, the experience of coming to realize that the great idea you had was just a reflection of someone else's thoughts could be discouraging. However, it's vital to note that this occurrence does not mean that your idea was worthless or that you have nothing new to add in your field of interest. It means that, in this vast, intricate, and interconnected world, we are building our new thoughts and perspectives upon the shoulders of giants. Across the world, there are even more giants of thought and ideas whose contributions continue to enrich the globe even today.

Finding out that your big idea was not as original as you thought, whether you are a famous or obscure person, shouldn't be a cause of disbelief or despair. It should, instead, inspire greater motivation. Imagine if those who came before you didn't think about their ideas as theirs alone, but rather as part of a whole, a collective consciousness. They didn't stop their development or give up on their curiosities just because someone got there first.

Remember, maintaining a sense of purpose irrespective of who has been or will be there before or after you is fundamental. It is necessary to avoid naysayers who propagate negativity, to remind ourselves that every contribution or innovation in any given field was once someone else's idea, and that every breakthrough is bound to face resistance before becoming widely accepted as for nothing great was ever achieved without significant initial resistance.

So, the next time you stumble upon the fact that the idea you've had wasn't entirely original, take it as a motivation, take it as a call to keep exploring. As was once told by the famous historian Karl Ferdinand Werner, “History never repeats itself; it always comes as a surprise.” So, channel your fantasies, your research, your work, and no matter how many times your ideas are found to have already been thought of before, remind yourself that it's not the idea itself that matters, rather it's how we approach it and whether we are driven to push the boundaries further.