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Quick Tip on How to Prioritize Those Ideas Buzzing Around Your Brain
June 27th, 2008 by Kendall
Creative entrepreneurs like you and I often have the problem of TOO many ideas buzzing around our brain. So how do you know which ones to act on and which ones are just distractions?
Here’s a tip on a simple system I use to decide which ideas will pay off:
First, grab a few sticky notes or index cards and write down each idea on its own note/card.
Next, for each idea, ask yourself these questions:
1. Will this idea add money to my bank account (or add subscribers to my list)?
(Write down “yes” or “no” - no fudging or trying to justify - be honest, your income is at stake!)
2. If the answer is yes, then ask, how much and by when?
(Write down your numbers and date. Be realistic, not wishful thinking.)
3. If I don’t pursue this idea, what will I lose?
(Write what the downstream effect would be by not following through on this idea. Oftentimes, what you stand to lose isn’t that much, which means the idea does not carry much impact for you and your business.)
4. If I pursue this idea, what else–specifically!–will I gain?
(Be specific about what completing the idea will help you do next, and next, and next so you’re clear about it’s ranking and contribution to the growth of your business.)
Now sit back and look at your answers. Which ideas clearly have the biggest potential impact for you and your business? Which ones sound fun but aren’t really going to make a big enough contribution to increasing your income and your free time?
Give yourself permission to have great ideas that don’t ALL get acted upon. Better yet, give yourself permission to CHOOSE one idea right now TO act on!
That’s how I nearly tripled my income last year.
Love and brilliance,
Kendall
Oh, and did you see that there are dozens of people who’ve posted their answer to the question of, if you had access to ALL of the marketing and business building knowledge, information, support, accountability and personal attention you need, what ONE amazing thing would you want to accomplish, right now, with your business?
If you didn’t post your answer yet, you still can. Just click on the blog post below titled “Give Me Your 2 Cents.”
More tips coming soon!
Posted in Soul of Business • • Subscribe to this feed
Hi Kendall,
Another great post! I use the index card method to sort my ideas — they’re so easy to shift, sort and reprioritize that way.
And for all those ideas which don’t make the cut the first time, they go either into the “idea stack” of index cards or are discarded…depending on the responses to various questions.
Have a great time with the Parellis!
Best wishes,
Sandy
Comment by Sandy Martini — June 27, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
great thoughts
Comment by lincoln ong — June 27, 2008 @ 8:51 pm
Hi Kendall,
Great idea! Love anything where you can capture the ideas, know they are not “lost” and go back to sleep!!
My favorite is a mindmap - just have a grand time with markers and idea explosions! Then I like to pick the best ones and go through a similiar scenario….and I’m noticing that sometimes I don’t and boy does that derail my week!
Thanks for the ideas!
Comment by Laura West — June 27, 2008 @ 9:13 pm
I like this idea Kendall - systems always work for me and this one is so simple. To be creative in a no holds barred sort of way without attachment to the outcome UNTIL it’s decision time. Like brainstorming when you’re on your own.
Warmly,
Kathleen
Comment by Kathleen — June 27, 2008 @ 11:08 pm
This sounds really good. It really motivates you to act on ideas that are results producing instead of just playing with the ones that “are so much fun…”. Thanks!
Comment by Margaret Moczkowski — June 28, 2008 @ 5:55 am
As the SMARTcut Expert, I have a tried and true system for priortizing the squizillions of little details associated with a “MAJOR PROJECT” such as moving, creating a new product, or planning an event.I brainstorm and list all the things I need to do, cut them apart and pin them on a big calenadar of the available time. That way I can see where I have “activity constipation” and find ways to relocate or delegate things to make my plan more viable.
Comment by Debbye Cannon — June 28, 2008 @ 6:24 am
HI, Kendall:
This is brilliant! The questions are perfectly right on and I especially like your “downstream effect” language–great concept that gets me really thinking. Thanks, you’re a gift in my day.
Comment by Thea Sheldon — June 28, 2008 @ 7:30 am
Great solutions Kendall,
I also like to use an Idea Book to capture all of my ideas. This way an idea that is right today, very possibly in the future may be perfect. Sometimes when I go back and review ideas I will read one that will trigger another or different version that can be used in a different way. I have a library of ideas in saved notebooks from the last several years. I also use the notebook as a place to brainstorm when I am looking for a solution to what appears to be a problem.
Thanks for another great solution to developing good ideas.
Comment by Donna Amos — June 28, 2008 @ 7:55 am
Wow! This is a great idea. I’ve been trying to determine which direction to take my business and I have so many ideas in my head this really helps me make a decision on which ideas to act on. I also use the notebook to write everything down in. Yesterday, I took myself out to lunch to get away from the office and right down all of my new ideas.
Comment by Jennifer Haubein — June 28, 2008 @ 9:14 am
Thanks Kendall! One of the reasons I like the stickies is that you can move them around visually… post them on a flip chart, window, etc. and move them around. Who knows… as you group/organize them, they might create a new path or direction. Are there several related ideas? Where do they lead? A new course, new book, new learning, new perspective! Mind Mapping helps, too.
Comment by Ruth Ellen Saarinen — June 28, 2008 @ 11:50 am
Lovely Kendall! I use an idea book too — and index cards (always so afraid of losing the things in my head) but I really appreciate your questions — spot on and just the coaching I needed today.
Hope you’re having an awesome time at camp!
Hugs,
Peggie
Comment by Peggie Arvidson — July 1, 2008 @ 9:36 am