We all have hundreds of brilliant ideas for our business but most of them don't make it out of the gate. Bernadette Doyle shares her own personal tactics for turning ideas into reality that you can use in your own business.
Are you brimming with exciting new ideas for your business, but short on implementation? Are you frustrated by projects you'd like to get off the ground but they still seem stuck? Ideas that stay in your head won't ever generate income - it's IMPLEMENTATION that counts. So how do you make sure that you follow through and act on your ideas? Here are my top 6 tips for getting things done.
Keep a list.
Henriette Anne Klauser author of 'Write it down, make it happen' says that by articulating your desires, you set in motion the wheels that will take you to your goals. I'm regularly amazed at how things on my 'to do' list get handled - even before I've had a chance to get started on them. (Doesn't happen as often as I would like, but it DOES happen!)
Determine the Next Action.
There's a good chance that your list is a mixture of specific actions e.g. 'reconcile bank statement' and projects that are actually dependent upon a series of actions e.g. 'sort out the website'. Until you determine the next action for each project, they will stay on your list as a guilt-inducing immovable block. You'll get a yucky feeling every time you think of it and 4 weeks from now you'll be no further forward. Determine what the next action is for each project, then do it!
Don't try to do it all at once.
Different actions on your list may require different levels of energy or mental concentration. You'll get more done if you plan activities around YOUR best hours. For example, I like to schedule calls with my team early in the day when my concentration is higher. In the late afternoon my creativity dips, so I try to schedule routine tasks and activities that require little creative energy for that time of the day. Experiment to discover your best hours and plan accordingly.
Delegate.
You DON'T have to do it all yourself. Somewhere in the world there is someone who loves the jobs you hate! Thanks to the power of the internet and sites like Elance.com and Guru.com, there's never been a better time to hook up with the perfect
help - at great prices.
Determine which tasks you can't do or don't want to do, then find someone to do them.
Hire a coach or mentor.
There's nothing like reporting to a third party for keeping you accountable. The first time I worked with a coach I was amazed at how my productivity soared. Can't afford a coach? Why not 'buddy up' with a friend for weekly accountability meetings?
Just make sure your friend is someone who inspires you so your weekly meetings are motivating - the last thing you want is some energy drainer who thinks your accountability meetings are an excuse for a pity party! (Accountability and networking are just two of the many features included in my highly affordable Marketing Mastermind Group.)
Keep track.
What gets measured gets done. Check in on your list regularly to track your progress and determine next action items. Despite the best laid plans, sometimes life can get in the way. Illness, family problems, unexpected set backs can throw you off course for good, or merely be a temporary blip, as long as you keep going!
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Bernadette Doyle publishes her weekly Client Magnets newsletter for trainers, speakers, coaches, consultants, complementary therapists and solo professionals. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you calling them, then sign up for her weekly e-zine now at www.clientmagnets.com .
(c) Bernadette Doyle, 2008
