How many times have you had an idea and let it slip away?
Throughout our day as we talk to other people and consider
our thoughts I think its fair to say that all have ideas. Some of those ideas are excellent and require
us to act on them, while others probably should be forgotten. What is it that turns thought into a finished
product instead of a memory?
Over this past weekend I was working with a national
organization that I am involved in as a social media director. For an extended period of time their website
has advertised some really amazing resources.
However, until recently those resources were never actually
available.
Someone had an amazing idea, wrote it down but there the
idea stalled. The idea was great,
members and potential members needed these resources, but project remained
unfinished. Over the last week the
project was resurrected by individuals who finally applied action to the idea.
I am sure there are many reasons why this particular idea
stalled and they all probably sounded familiar.
They are likely the same reasons your last idea never materialized. The process of turning an idea into a
finished product is process that takes deliberate and purposeful action. I think its safe to say that not all good
ideas become good products while not every poor idea result in a bad
product. The finished product is a
result of the entire process.
The first step is to have the idea. Many times just identifying when something is
an idea reminds me of a scene from Step Brothers “Did we just become best
friends?” “Yup.” I feel like my ideas
run through something similar “was that an idea?” Yup!” Usually followed by “was that a good idea?”
Secondly, evaluate your idea; my thought process is usually
pretty simple.
I start with is it something that should be done?
Can I turn this into something useful for myself or for
other people?
Finally, I ask has it been done before? If the answer is yes then I consider what can
I learn from the original and how can I do it differently. Constantly evaluating for my unique selling
proposition.
The final requirement to produce that final end product is a
combination of ongoing and deliberate planning and execution. This stage is where you actually have to move
on your thoughts and what actually leads to an actual product. This stage may also require new ideas and
evaluation but most importantly it is predicated on action. This action must be purposeful and focused on
the end product.
As I’m writing this blog I can think of example after example
where I go through this thought process and plan execution. I used to be the king of winging it, and most
of the things I did that way sucked!! I
am constantly learning and perfecting my processes, they still take work and
focus but I am always thinking and I am always producing.
So here is my challenge, the next time you have a thought
pause and evaluate that idea. Decide if
its something that needs to be worked on.
If it is, then formulate a plan then put that plan in action. If you find the usual excuses start appearing
then evaluate them. Update and adapt
your plan accordingly but keep the plan moving forward. Consciously and with purpose take your idea
to a finished product, like exercise as you begin to work on this it is tough
at first but gets easier the more you do it. Don’t let your idea slip away and become
something that someone else has to finish.
