“Trust your gut feeling about things, listen to what others are saying, and look at the results of your actions. Once you know the truth, you can set about taking action to improve. Everyone will be better for it.”– Jack Canfield
Coffeehouses throughout America are filled with people throwing out great idea after world-changing plans, so why are people sipping on lattes instead of making them happen? Many people seem to have bought fully into the notion that success is just “one idea away.” If someone would just buy into that idea, fame and riches would follow. To an extent, “one idea away from success” is valid. However, simply having the idea is only a portion of the equation necessary for success. Ideas must be implemented. Should we not have the skill set or impetus to move thought to action, one’s chances for success are grim. I’ve heard it said that “It’s not enough to stare up the steps. One must also step up the stairs.” And so it is with our ideas.
Having an idea is the easy part. A brainstorming session can create a dozen brilliant ideas that we can get all giddy over. Until we take one step, just one step breathing life into that idea, it’s a useless exercise. That one step can be a baby step, but it must be designed to create forward momentum. Let’s say you have an idea for a website and you’re in the daydreaming stages. Go ahead and buy the domain name before you plan anything else. In many cases, you’re looking at a twenty-dollar investment, but it’s a symbolic step. You now own the vehicle to make your website a reality. The next small step could be creating content or designing a logo.
Timetables aren’t as important as building forward momentum. If you’re familiar with the “Compound Effect,” you know that seemingly small actions, consistently applied, over time, yield MASSIVE results. Whatever helps you move forward, even as tiny as those seemingly small actions are, will eventually build on each other. You’ll likely find that momentum is not a linear, but an exponential expression of growth. Small successes build an excitement that you will be unable to contain. That enthusiasm will become infectious as you have tangible wins to show to others. Then there will be no stopping you.
Creating Forward Momentum: Accelerators
- What three ideas have you been dreaming of yet waiting to implement?
- Which of these three would produce the greatest results for you if they were implemented quickly?
- For that one, most important idea, what “seemingly small action,” could you take right now to create forward momentum? Take that action!
READ MORE: The Innovator’s Field Guide: To Build Strong Teams, Build Strong Teammates
Jeff Standridge
Dr. Jeff D. Standridge is the best-selling author of “The Innovator’s Field Guide” and “The Top Performer’s Field Guide.” He serves as Managing Director for the Conductor and Innovation Junkie, and teaches in the College of Business at the University of Central Arkansas. Jeff helps organizations and their leaders generate sustained results in the areas of innovation, strategy, profit growth, organizational effectiveness and leadership. Learn more at InnovationJunkie.com.
