Click here if you would rather listen to this article.
[audio:https://kendall.audioacrobat.com/download/b4d93ab9-d32e-b524-2a13-ceea420deac4.mp3]
As a highly creative entrepreneur, I attract a lot of creative women. On the plus side, we creative entrepreneurs have no shortage of ideas.
But on the downside, we often have the problem of too many ideas just waiting to be explored.
And creativity “run amuck” can actually side track you from taking action or cause you to spin your wheels, wasting your time and your talent.
So how do you know which ideas to act on and which are just distractions?
Here’s a simple system for using your intuition to decide which ideas are worth your time and effort:
Step 1 Get a stack of sticky notes or index cards and write down each idea on its own note/card.
Step 2 Relax and take a few deep breaths to quiet your mind. Now, review each note/card one at a time and ask yourself these questions:
Question #1: “Will this idea add money to my bank account (or add subscribers to my list)?”
Listen to the response from your inner voice and jot down a “yes” or “no” on the note/card. Really feel into the answer rather than allowing your brain to rationalize or justify it just because you may have an attachment to the idea.
More often than not, your first response is the intuitive one. You’ll have a sense that it just feels right, even if you can’t explain why. This is what’s called “trusting your gut.”
If the answer to this question is “yes,” then ask, “How much and by when?”
Write down the numbers and date that immediately come to mind.
Warning: Watch that your answers feel realistic — not like wishful thinking — and are specific. You need to be clear and willing to commit to monetizing your ideas!
Question #2: “If I don’t pursue this idea, what will I lose?”
Make a note of what might happen if you don’t follow through on the idea. Oftentimes, what you stand to lose isn’t a lot, which means the idea doesn’t carry much impact for you and your business. Again, be careful not to fall into the trap of wishful thinking about how an idea “might” turn out.
Question #3: “If I pursue this idea, what else – specifically – will I gain?”
Listen for the details of what this idea will help you to do next (and next, and next!). Be clear about how it contributes to the on-going growth of your business. Write the specifics on the note/card.
Final Step: Sit back and look at your answers. Which ideas clearly have the biggest potential impact? Which ones sound fun but aren’t going to contribute enough to increasing your income and your free time?
By prioritizing the ideas that make the biggest impact you’re setting yourself up for spiritual and financial success in your business!
