Putting Your Ideas Into Action

Ideas are everywhere. Some are small and seemingly insignificant. Others are big giant ideas with the chance to change large portions of our lives. Each idea that we encounter, whether we create the idea, synthesize it from somewhere else, or hear it, is a possible opportunity.

A possible opportunity.

It doesn't matter how promising, exciting or applicable the idea is, or how big of an opportunity it might be, it is just a possible opportunity, unless you take action on it. Opportunity may knock, but we have to open the door, roll up our sleeves and get after it if we want to benefit from that opportunity.

There are many reasons why people don't take action on ideas and seize opportunities, including:

- they lack the self confidence to feel they will succeed

- they don't see the benefits outweighing the risks

- they are scared

- they have too many opportunities and are immobilized, unable to make a choice

The steps outlined below help you get past any of these issues ? and move forward with confidence towards great results. Here are the steps you can take to turn your ideas and opportunities into action.

1. Pick one. The first step in getting past any of the issues above is to select an opportunity. Not every opportunity or idea that comes your way will be one you should tackle. Or, if you are "suffering" from too many opportunities, picking one is the only way to move forward.

2. Sell yourself. Perhaps you have sold yourself before picking, or perhaps you are still unsure. Either way, before you get too far down the road you need to see how this idea can have a positive impact. Will it give you more time? Will it expand your income? Will it help you learn new things? Will it help you reach long term goals? Whatever the benefits are, you need to lock them into your mind at this stage. When (if) the challenges grow large in your path, this belief will keep you moving forward.

3. Commit. Commit to yourself to seizing the opportunity or capitalizing on the idea.

4. Make a plan. Build a timetable and checkpoints on your way to implementing the idea. For some ideas this might be a two minute "back of the envelope" process, for others a more elaborate exercise. Either way, the goal is to outline a plan, not become mired in details.

5. Build support. You will likely need the support and/or involvement of others in turning your idea into results. Therefore, it is important to get people to see your vision, and understand your plan. This is a critical step that is often overlooked. Don't make that mistake. Get the people on board that will help you succeed.

6. Get started. You've decided, committed and built a plan. Get started already. The opportunity might not always be there. The idea deserves your best shot.

Ideas are great, but ideas alone don't solve problems or achieve your goals. Ideas are tools. We must find the best tools to apply in our lives and businesses. Find your ideas, seek them out. But please don't stop there.

Put the best ones into action.

You will either generate new success, or learn what doesn't work. Either way, you are way ahead of the person who sat still, taking no action at all.

©Kevin Eikenberry 2005. Kevin is Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group (http://KevinEikenberry.com), a learning consulting company that helps Clients reach their potential through a variety of training, consulting and speaking services. To receive your free special report on "Unleashing Your Potential" go to http://www.kevineikenberry.com/uypw/index.asp or call us at (317) 387-1424 or 888.LEARNER.

In The News:

---

Intuition Power In Three Steps

Have you ever used your intuition to solve problems? Can... Read More

Managing Creativity and Innovation, Part 1 of 2

Leaders, consultants and managers must be competent in at least... Read More

Let the Seeds Grow

The thought that every great thing that has ever happened,... Read More

Discontinuous Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Peace Alliance vs. Fighting a Battle

We read in the press about the "War on Drugs"... Read More

Fire Evacuation Drill with a Difference

I had been given the task to organize a fire... Read More

Business Innovation ? Confidence through Competence

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? Masks and Trance

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Take Your Good Idea One Step Further

Whether you're an executive, manager, professional, or entrepreneur, you need... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Decision Makers

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Accelerate Your Learning

Although you may not currently be a student, learning is... Read More

Can A Simple Idea Change Your Life?

Ideas happen all the time. And when I say an... Read More

Innovation Management ? Famous Failures!

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity Management ? Theres Nothing New Under the Sun

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation Management ? Ideas From The Most Embarrassing Experiences Of Life

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Three Step Problem Solving

How do you like to solve your problems? Do you... Read More

Humankinds Greatest Inventions

There are a number of amazing inventions that have been... Read More

A New Pair of Shoes

Do the NewAn old pair of shoesDo you have a... Read More

Enhancing Vulnerability To Master Perfectionism

One of the ways a person must advance past perfectionism... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Frameworks

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Thousands of Failures, but Thousands of Patents

Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he revolutionized the... Read More

How To Do What You Dont Want To

Before I reveal it, shall we review some things that... Read More

Is Mans Next Step Like A Can of Potted Meat?

Is it the dawning of the Age of Aquarius? For... Read More

Life ? The Teacher

You've probably heard the phrase "repetition is the mother of... Read More

Business Innovation ? Real Self versus the Trained Self

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Great Ideas and Radical or Disruptive Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation

Innovation, in a business context, is generally thought of as... Read More

Choosing a Winning Business Idea

You've probably heard it a hundred times by now -... Read More

Creativity Management and Good Ideas

Some ideas occur in the office and others occur away... Read More

Innovation Management ? predicting winners

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation Management: Trying Out New Ideas

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Teach, Coach, Learn

Coaching, training or learning about creativity and innovation involves mastery... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management - Special People?

People often think that there is a creative type. This... Read More