Don't let your idea slip away

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.