Think It, Do It - Five Steps
I Take to Make My Ideas Happen
Last Updated: 31st May 2024
Look around you. Everything you see began with an idea.
It could be the outfit you’re wearing, the song you’re listening to or the restaurant you maybe dining out at later tonight.
In truth, coming up with a great idea is relatively easy.
However, putting the innovative ideas we have for ourselves into action is a different story. Particularly, if we lack the courage, know-how, time or resources to make them happen.
The downturn is many original ideas lie dormant because we fail to take action. A greater travesty is by not acting on our creative ambitions, we lose out on what we’re truly capable of achieving.
It’s a concern given our ideas often relate to ideals we hope to accomplish one day. Perhaps to write a book, design a fashion line, launch a business or explore a craft.
So, it you’ve an idea that has value and could potentially make a mark on the world, what should you do with it?
Well, here are five simple steps that I follow to make my ideas come alive. By sharing them, I hope they help your ideas reach their potential.
1. Write it Down
It doesn’t matter whether it’s a notebook, iPad, mobile or computer, if you’ve an idea for a creative aspiration, write it down.
No matter how big, small, grandiose or complex your idea, get it in writing.
Taking that idea from your head and putting it down on paper organises your thoughts and spurs you on to get started.
Writing down ideas focuses your attention on them. Capturing an idea and sketching it out in greater detail, transforms that imaginative thought into something real and tangible.
By jotting down your idea, you’re psychologically declaring yourself ‘in the game’.
So when inspiration comes calling, make sure to put pen to paper. Then, make a commitment to yourself that you’re going to go for it, and turn that idea into reality.
2. Plot a Course
To give your ideas life, you must ‘own the responsibility’.
Put another way, an idea has little value until it’s executed. By definition, a goal devoid of a plan is no more than a wish.
Without specific steps laid out, your idea is unlikely to materialise.
So, to draw out that creative spark, think deeply about the goal you want to achieve. Next, create a checklist of small, actionable tasks that each take you a step closer.
Ask yourself what needs to happen. Must you learn how to do something? Do you need to talk to someone? Can you start by mapping out your concept or building a prototype?
It’s down to you to ensure each step happens. In any case, having a list of specific items you can tick off will provide you with a game plan, while help you track progress.
3. Stop Thinking and Start Doing
For many of us, the thought of actioning a new idea can come across as risky.
It’s because we may never have done anything like it before – and we might have no clue what we’re doing!
The difference though between dreamers and achievers is great artists, musicians, entrepreneurs and culinary giants that we see around us just get on and do it.
As it requires a leap of faith, it comes as no surprise it’s a stage where many people stall. Even those that set out with good intentions, can find themselves spending more time perfecting their plan, than in the act of doing.
Yet, planning alone is fruitless. Turning any idea into reality relies on implementation.
To this extent, instead of sitting on an idea, put yourself out there by proactively working on your creative goal. Push yourself to achieve it.
If the magnitude of the task seems insurmountable, break it down into smaller, actionable items that are easier to achieve and less daunting.
Taking action is easier when you take baby steps and smaller moves forward.
What’s important is firstly to get started, then keep going. Fortune favours the bold so take action now. ‘How-to’s’ can be learnt later.
4. Share It
Sometimes all an innovative idea requires to become a reality is for it to be shared.
Despite this, it’s not uncommon for people to refrain from sharing. It’s often due to concerns an idea is not good enough. Or, may be dismissed, copied or stolen.
On the strength of it, the simple act of making your idea public reinforces your internal sense of commitment. In turn, it encourages you to see it through to fruition.
This is not forgetting none of us has all the answers. It explains why ideas are more likely to flourish when great teams come together.
An added bonus is the support you receive from sharing your idea could propel and motivate you further. All ideas have the potential to become a brilliant idea if supported by equally passionate people.
Another tip is to find and collaborate with an accountability partner. Namely, someone who is in your corner and helps you remain accountable.
Such relationships are invaluable to ensure you not only remain committed and productive, but follow through on all aspects of your project.
5. Put it Out There
There comes a time after all the drafts, revisions, rehearsals or prototypes to show your idea off.
It’s disconcerting, but you need to set your idea free and get it out into the world. At any rate, once you’ve figured out your rollout strategy, there’s nothing left but to execute it.
On a personal level, putting your idea out there as something original, experimental or tangible serves as a validation of your creativity.
Not only that, it’s interesting to see how your idea evolves as other people embrace it. For instance, it could lead to opportunities to build upon your idea or open new doors entirely.
It’s possible not everyone will like what you’re proposing. But, in the whole scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter.
Anytime you put something new or different out into the world, it’s might be met by both praise and negativity.
What’s crucial is to take your idea from inspiration to implementation and realisation.
Besides, if you don’t take a meaningful risk to make things happen, your idea won’t get anywhere, anyway.
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Without action, nothing happens. It’s why I do one thing each day to take me closer to my goal.
