I had the pleasure of having a conversation today with someone who has an idea for a web venture, and was looking for advice on where to start. He displayed knowledge about the field he was considering and had a well thought out approach as to why he thought it was an endeavor worth pursuing. But more than ever, what struck me about the conversation was the passion he had for the idea.

This conversation led me to an interesting exercise of self-reflection; one which I would like to encourage you to participate in right now.

Take 5 minutes, and think about your ideas. For most, that is a daunting task that quickly becomes unmanageable. So for now, let’s focus on the ideas that you thought at the time were brilliant. How many of those ideas did you move on? How many innovative thoughts did you nurture and share with the world, watching them grow and flourish?

Put those ideas in one column.

In the next column, put in the rest of the ideas; the ones that at one point ignited your mind with possibility and promise, but for whatever reason were destined to smolder and fade into the background.

If you have ideas in that first column; regardless of whether they resulted in success or failure – congratulate yourself. You took a risk, put faith in yourself and trusted your conviction, and gave your idea a chance.

Let’s focus on the ideas in the second column. These will undoubtedly fall into several categories. Some are ridiculous, and perhaps embarrassing.You will wonder why you were ever convinced that organic llama farming would be a fantastic get-rich-quick scheme, in the moments after a vivid 3:00 AM dream. Some are maybe’s – good ideas that never really caught your interest and your lack of action proved inconsequential.

But then there are those ideas that you see now and smile. Ideas that caught your eye once upon a time and still have you smitten. Woulda’shoulda’coulda’s.. Ahh, nostalgia.

That really was a great idea….

Now do something about it!

Find one idea that still strikes your fancy, and set the wheels in motion. Start now. Use the power of hindsight for some perspective about how quickly time passes. What once seemed like a daunting big idea, if taken one step at a time, would have accumulated into something amazing by now.

Every day that passes is another day that you could have taken your first step towards amazing.

Who do you know that has executed lately on idea or a dream?

I’ll start. Check out what Derek Steen is doing with Sweet Adventures.

What is it that stops you from turning your big ideas into reality?

Related Posts