So, you dreamed up this big, crazy idea that makes your
heart beat a little faster with the thrill of it, and now you're wondering how you go about making it a reality?
Having pulled off a couple of big, crazy ideas of my own, I got to thinking and realized there's a process I go through, and I'm going to share it with you.
This promised to be such an epic blog post, that I've decided to make it a series. Part One is what I like to call "The Magic of Commitment".
Let's assume you've thought over your idea, and you’ve ascertained that it is:
1. Do-able (somehow!) You don’t need to know how exactly you’re going to do it. You can figure that out later. The moment you believe a thing is possible, your mind starts figuring out HOW to make it possible.
I try not to ask for advice from too many people at this point, because most people simply won’t be able to see your vision like you do. Too many people think they’re being a good friend by pointing out the negatives and the risks and all the things that “might” go wrong.
For example, most people would be pretty skeptical if you came at them with the following ideas...and yet they’ve all been achieved by others.
Of course that's just a tiny miniscule sample of what's possible. You're only limited by what YOU believe is possible. The sky is not the limit, the mind is...
Don't get me wrong, I’m open to advice or feedback from the right people (by "right people" I mean positive, pro-active people who have turned their own big, crazy ideas into reality), but at the end of the day, I tend to go with my gut-feeling. Something deep inside that whispers "You can do this".
Don't get me wrong, I’m open to advice or feedback from the right people (by "right people" I mean positive, pro-active people who have turned their own big, crazy ideas into reality), but at the end of the day, I tend to go with my gut-feeling. Something deep inside that whispers "You can do this".
B.) Desirable. The desire to have it/do it must outweigh the effort/energy needed to make it reality. It also has to outweigh the fear of doing it, else procrastination will be the order of the day…
C.) Last, but not least, does it align with your life purpose? This is intensely personal - only you can decide if turning this idea into reality will move you closer to the vision you have for your life..or simply distract you from your path.
Sometimes the answer will be clear, and other times, not so much. When the answer is not clear, I rely on my good old instincts again. Does it "feel right"? Despite being a (supposedly!) logical, grounded Capricorn, all of my big life decisions were made "from the heart". I didn't sit down and write out the pros and cons of each decision, I didn't consult with experts. I simply did what felt right.
I realize this may run counter to how many people operate. Learning how to listen to our gut instincts is not something taught, or valued, by the traditional education system. But it can be developed, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes. (It just occurred to me that writing about how to develop intuition is an awesome idea for a new series of blog posts. Keep your eyes peeled!)
I read somewhere that a great way to make a decision is to toss a coin, and in that moment when the coin is in the air, you'll suddenly realize which answer you're hoping for. I love this, and think it's a fun way to illustrate that you already have the answers to all of life's questions within you.
If you've ascertained the answer is "yes" to both A, B and C, then what?
C.) Last, but not least, does it align with your life purpose? This is intensely personal - only you can decide if turning this idea into reality will move you closer to the vision you have for your life..or simply distract you from your path.
Sometimes the answer will be clear, and other times, not so much. When the answer is not clear, I rely on my good old instincts again. Does it "feel right"? Despite being a (supposedly!) logical, grounded Capricorn, all of my big life decisions were made "from the heart". I didn't sit down and write out the pros and cons of each decision, I didn't consult with experts. I simply did what felt right.
I realize this may run counter to how many people operate. Learning how to listen to our gut instincts is not something taught, or valued, by the traditional education system. But it can be developed, and the more you do it, the easier it becomes. (It just occurred to me that writing about how to develop intuition is an awesome idea for a new series of blog posts. Keep your eyes peeled!)
I read somewhere that a great way to make a decision is to toss a coin, and in that moment when the coin is in the air, you'll suddenly realize which answer you're hoping for. I love this, and think it's a fun way to illustrate that you already have the answers to all of life's questions within you.
If you've ascertained the answer is "yes" to both A, B and C, then what?
It’s time to make a choice. You’re either going to go
for it, or you’re not.
It’s not a “Maybe” or “We’ll see how it pans out” or a “One
day I might…”kind of choice. Oh no! Big, crazy ideas call for more than wishing
on stars and crossing fingers. Great big, crazy ideas require a definite 100%
commitment.
Until we commit ourselves, we’re just dabbling
half-heartedly – we’re almost screaming to the Universe that we expect to fail,
and we reserve the right to back out the moment the going gets tough…
Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you have all the
answers before committing to your idea. Nobody
ever has all the answers. There would be no new businesses or inventions or
relationships or anything…if everyone
waited for all the answers before committing themselves.
It's not how much you know at the start that matters, it's how much you learn and apply as you go along.
If we only ever commit to goals that we already know how to
do, we limit ourselves to little goals. Big, crazy goals require us to learn
more and become better than we currently are…and therein lies the beauty!
There is some confusion over who actually said the following quote, although it's generally attributed to Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe. It may actually be a mash-up of several quotes, but it is so relevant here,
I just have to share:
“Until one is
committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth
that ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits
oneself, then Providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that
would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from
the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents and
meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamed would have
come his way. Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has
genius, power, and magic in it. Begin it now.”
Parts 2, 3 and 4 are now up on the blog:
Turn Your Big Crazy Idea Into Reality (Part 2): Putting It Out There
Turn Your Big Crazy Idea Into Reality (Part 3): Just Start Somewhere
Turn Your Big Crazy Idea Into Reality (Part 4): Then Keep Going
Parts 2, 3 and 4 are now up on the blog:
Turn Your Big Crazy Idea Into Reality (Part 2): Putting It Out There
Turn Your Big Crazy Idea Into Reality (Part 3): Just Start Somewhere
Turn Your Big Crazy Idea Into Reality (Part 4): Then Keep Going
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