5 Steps to Turn Ideas into Actions — Entrepreneurial Ideas
Do you constantly have a whirlwind of entrepreneurial ideas in your head?
Of course, some of these will be gold nuggets, but the majority will be bright, shiny objects that will distract you if you allow them to. Because filtering your thoughts might be difficult, here are five strategies to assist you to find the gold while ignoring the rest.
1. Take notes on your thoughts.
Create a strategy for writing down your thoughts so that you can evaluate them later. Use a journal or a yellow pad of paper if you prefer pen and paper (my favorite). You can also use a note-taking app like Evernote on your mobile device or computer.
The key is to capture your thoughts in the same way (or at least add them to the master list regularly). If you wake up in the middle of the night, grabbing a notepad may be the quickest solution, but if it isn’t filed away, you may lose your thoughts.
2. Prioritize your projects.
Set aside time to assess and prioritize regularly. You should compare your outcomes to what you want (business plan, passion & lifestyle). Because you can’t accomplish everything at once, focusing on 1 to 2 at a time is the best method to finish as many as possible.
Just because you’ve put a brilliant idea on wait doesn’t mean it’s not significant! If you truly want to achieve it, you must first ensure that you have the necessary time, money, and energy.
3. Talk about it.
Talking it out is one of the quickest methods to move forward with an idea. Consult your business coach, mastermind group, trusted adviser, spouse/partner, or another person you trust about your concept. They can assist you in taking notes, locating golden nuggets, holding you accountable, prioritizing, and determining whether something is a shiny object or a golden nugget.
You can also listen to and take notes while recording your idea on video or audio. Talking about your concept allows you to process details that you might miss if you only write about it.
4. Make a list of your action steps.
If you don’t plan, you’re intending to fail. Select the top 1–2 ideas and set S.M.A.R.T. goals — specific, measurable, action-oriented, realistic, and time-bound objectives. It’s easy to say you’re working on “a major project,” but until you transition to a smaller activity that’s part of the larger project, you’ll never finish it.
5. Schedule time for it
There’s no way around it… if you don’t make time for it, it simply won’t get done. Put time on your calendar for your action steps to get done. I recommend using Google Calendar. You can create an additional calendar to plan out when it will get done. This can overlay your other important commitments.
Follow these steps over & over to focus on what’s most important to building your business! Soon you’ll start seeing results & reduce your overwhelm!
There is a limitless potential to having a mentor in life no matter what stage we are on. Find yours today, stick with him/her, and see how your life eases down.
