In our professional world we have no shortage of people who have endless great ideas or bottomless ambitious desire to do something that could change everything.
Right now someone has an idea for the next way we share and connect with our community, a concept for a new platform to publish our thoughts or a blueprint on a cocktail napkin for a new business formation.
In fact – we are overwhelmed with ideas for a new project or solopreneurs who would start and change the world they live in but…
“The economy is not right for it at this time.”
“[Insert city name here] doesn’t have the right market for this idea.”
“One day I will do this once I get [insert something not terribly important here].”
“I can’t do this without [insert something not required to make it work here].”
“I just don’t have the time right now.”
“It is only a hobby right now.”
I call these individuals “hypothetical professionals.” They hypothetically could start an idea, change something, disrupt the system they are in or develop something new. They hypothesize about their potential and the success they would be guaranteed but… the economy, the resources, the time, the local market, the funds, and so on.
What we do not have is a plethora of individuals willing to take the action to move from being hypothetical to a legitimate professional.
While being overrun with those who just have the idea but not the drive to achieve it, we lack those who pull the trigger to make it happen.
If you feel like you are stuck in hypothetical mode, here are some suggestions to help you in the transition to become a legitimate professional.
1. Find a mentor or role model. Someone who excels at accomplishing their goals and getting their work done and out the door. Glean from them the best practices on how they turn ideas into action.
2. Break your large ideas into smaller chunks. Think about the overwhelming goal of writing a book. Whereas the entire book cannot be written in a few days, the book can be broken into chunks. The first week an outline can be achieved. The second through fifth week can be spent on research and further development of the details to be included. The sixth through tenth week can be spent in the writing and the following weeks on the editing process. Thinking about writing an entire book can be overwhelming. Thinking about focusing on just the outline not as much, before you move onto the next step
3. Set a deadline. It is amazing what can be achieved by simply putting a date next to it. It changes our entire perception on how we look at what is ahead of us.
4. Get an accountability partner. Someone who can check in with you on your progress and development.
5. For those worried about funding – consider crowdsourcing (like Kickstarter).
Lastly, if you’re concerned you don’t have enough time, are unwilling to work weekends and evenings, still feel like you live in the wrong city, or that the economy is not right or whatever excuse you can think of that you’ve resigned to, then you’ve already committed yourself to never completing your idea.
My hope is that if you are reading this blog, then you’re one of the ones who is looking for solutions and not excuses.
James Patrick
jamespatrick.com
Twitter @jpphotography
Instagram @jpatrickphoto
