Co-working is a relatively new phenomenon, and one that has hit major cities by storm. It gives budding entrepreneurs and small businesses a creative environment to grow their idea’s while sharing the cost of an office space. It can be one of the most exhilarating places to be. About a year ago, I had the opportunity to participate in a work exchange here in Toronto. I was thrust into an environment where idea’s were not only welcomed but celebrated. We were given the opportunity to brainstorm our idea’s and offered feedback for improvement and implementation.
Some of the idea’s that birthed during that period were incredible, while others fell flat. But, what I began to realize during my time there was that there are no bad idea’s, it all boils down to context.
Maybe you have been toying around with some great idea’s, and opportunity has come a knock’n, but now you feel overwhelmed with the amount possibilities before you. As great as they all seem, you may be experiencing analysis paralysis (the inability to make a decision).
I've been there, and I know exactly how you are feeling. And, so has my friend Amanda.
Allow me to share a bit of her story. Amanda, is what I can a multipotentialite (yes, this is a real term). If refers to an individual who has high potential in multiple area’s of their life. She is absolutely brilliant in the kitchen as both a cook and a baker. You should taste her cakes, they are to die for. She also works with children (some with disabilities), and is basically a modern day Mary Poppins. More recently, she has expressed a desire to use her gifts to empower women that have gone through sexual abuse and crisis, so that they can live healthy lives.
In a conversation we had not long ago, she asked me, “how do I sort through the million idea’s in my head, when they all seem to be God honouring, and in the direction I want to go?” I had to stop for a second to really think about that. To be completely honest, it’s a loaded question. But one I am super excited to answer.
While I am going to share a few thoughts with you here on the blog today, I want to invite you to join me as on Facebook Live this coming Thursday at 1 pm EST as we carry on the conversation.
First of all... I love Amanda's commitment to act on what God has given her to do. It’s pretty inspiring to witness. Not only does she want to use her gifts to help others, but she wants to honour God in the process.
Some of you may be thinking, uhmmm how would I even know where to begin or what God wants for my life? Fair enough. Let’s start here - what if all your idea’s seem in line with your values and vision, and you’re still not sure where to begin?
Having a bunch of really idea’s can seem great, until they become burdensome and overwhelming. And, since not every idea is one that needs to be acted on, it’s wise to take time to determine which one’s are meant for you.
Step One: Assuming you have all your idea’s written out (and you should do that so you don’t forget them), begin by prioritizing them in order of importance. Personally, I like to divide the year into quarters, and think about it seasonally. Then I determine what is important for this season of my life.
Now, ask yourself the following questions:
- Will this idea enhance what I am currently doing?
- What will it take to grow this idea (timeframe, resources, etc)?
Step Two: Position yourself to receive wise counsel, and be open to discuss each idea in depth. Within the context of a safe environment, you will be able to discern what idea is most important to you. I would highly recommend joining a mastermind, getting a mentor, and hiring a coach.
Why, you ask?
- A mastermind of like minded individuals will help you flesh out your idea’s and give them context.
- A mentor will be able to share his/her experience with you so that you can gain the wisdom you need.
- A great coach will guide you through what is most important, and help you put a plan in place to move the idea to the next level.
Step Three: Take some sort of immediate action. Jump on ONE idea and run with it. It’s important to do something right away so that you create the momentum you need. Don’t worry if it is going to fail or not. Failure is definitely not a bad thing (there is so much to be learned there).
Ok, now with all this advice it is time to put some action to your great idea’s. I have designed a worksheet that will walk you step by step through how you arrive at your best decision. CLICK HERE.
Also, I’d love to have you join me on Facebook Live this Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 1 pm EST. We will continue the conversation, and I will give you some practical tools to help you hone in on your big idea. Hope to see you there.
