Part I of this series included the following 5 strategies for moving from inspiration to the accomplishment of an exciting new idea of yours:
- Get really clear on what your exciting new idea actually is;
- Run your idea by some trusted advisers to help clarify it even further;
- List the resources you will need to accomplish it;
- List possible obstacles in your path;
- Ask yourself what there is about you that may be getting in your way. (That’s a toughhie!)
These items can be categorized as mental work. That is a very safe place to be, because you have yet to face the actual demands of bringing your idea to fruition.
The noun accomplishment is related to the action verb to accomplish. You simply cannot accomplish much until you make the firm decision to start taking action.
So what are the actions you need to take to truly move from inspiration to accomplishment? Here are a few for you to consider (some of which you probably have heard before):
- To quote Stephen R. Covey, start with the end in mind; but don’t stay stuck there. Create a list of the myriad tasks and steps along the way that need to be accomplished in order to reach that end.
- Create a schedule for the accomplishment of each of these individual tasks.
- Determine what you can delegate to others and what you specifically need to do yourself.
- Decide what other items already in your schedule need to be delegated or eliminated so that you can dedicate the necessary time needed for each task.
- Do the tasks you have committed to doing at the time you committed to doing them. When life happens to mess up your schedule (as it surely will), adjust it so that you keep moving forward toward your ultimate goal.
We live in a world of constant distraction. The Shiny Object Syndrome (SOS) pops up with great regularity, doing its best to lure us from accomplishing our dearest desires.
Therefore none of the above suggestions will work if you do not make the accomplishment of your exciting idea a high or the highest priority in your life.
My final suggestion would be to use the technique I have adapted from Napoleon Hill’s seminal masterpiece, Think and Grow Rich:
- Fix in your mind exactly what you wish to accomplish;
- Determine what you will give in return for accomplishing it;
- Establish a definite date for its accomplishment;
- Create a definite plan to accomplish it;
- Write out a clear, concise statement of the previous 4 items; and
- Read your statement aloud, twice daily, in the morning and at night; and see, feel and believe yourself already having accomplished your goal.
Bringing your exciting idea to fruition will not only be rewarding for you on many levels, you will undoubtedly serve many people, and improve your part of the world along the way. I wish you every success in doing so.
