6 Tips for Getting Your Good Ideas Off the Ground
What makes some ideas take off and others remain duds that are difficult to get off the ground? Well, it’s true there’s a lot to be said for timing (Is it something others want to hear right now? Has it’s time passed? Is it too ahead of it’s time?) But there are other important points to cover that make the difference between a hit and a flop, here are a few of those:
1. Don’t do it in a vacuum. Whether your project is really a one-person operation or involving many, you still need others to help you get the job done or at least encourage your best efforts. In solo projects, let others learn your good ideas and support you. If you’re expected to interface with others or get feedback from them, don’t put it off, it could save you fix-it time later. How you communicate your project lead and launch strategy is important to garner their input or simply their vote, not to mention their respect. In bigger projects your smooth planning and approach can allow you to be more transparent, fulfilling on a team machine that runs smoothly and with cooperation.
2. Have a clear idea of what you want the end result to be. Even if you’re making some of it up as you go along, you have a well-reasoned direction based on some track record of experience and research, that has others want to follow you. You don’t have all the answers, yet enough of the map is there combined with your firm belief in your goal, that you’re able to rally a united spirit in others where they’ll want to solve any new problems with you.
3. Express a confident attitude that is open-hearted, generous and enthusiastic. Your passion in general and specifically for your idea, helps you and others want to find ways to correct whatever is necessary along the way. You not only inspire leadership, but you’re able to ask for it easily and others will want to assume leadership roles to support your great idea.
4. With your big picture vision, don’t miss the details. However, do as few of these details yourself as possible. Instead, manage others to become engaged and each be an important cog in the wheel turning. Hire a Virtual Assistant to do some of the details you don’t want you or your participants distracted by.
5. Become highly organized and if that’s not a strong suit, recruit others to help you. Once you open the floodgates to opportunity, lots of components of your idea or project will begin to pour in. You have to have a uniform system for containing and accessing this information. Find out who can assist you to manage these pieces or help you set up an effective way of working with it all.
6. Don’t reinvent the wheel. There are always others you can talk with who have done the same or something similar to what you want to do. Find out who they are and how you can share brainpower and even resources. Having started a recent women’s singing group in Los Angeles, I’m not shy to get a hold of other Directors and find out their practices. Even planning a lunch meeting to share ideas, with you treating them, is a great icebreaker if you want to pick up some of their tips.
Whether your project is personal or business-related, you can always talk with friends or family and other business contacts for their recommendations and best practices to launch your idea. Be wary of too much advice that might take you in conflicting directions, though. The SBA is a local, free, business support organization where experts can help you develop your career-related ideas. Coaching helps you stay on track and focused to achieve your goals.
Don’t forget that with all ideas, and especially those special projects that are your brainchild, pace yourself and don’t forget to have fun with it!
Tags: business development, career aspirations, career coaching, goal achievement
