How to choose a direction when you have a million ideas
Yesterday morning I sat on my couch staring at the wall, immobile. I stayed in that position for a good 10 minutes with intermittent breaks of guilt and Instagram checking. I had a laundry list of things to get done (including laundry) and the sheer weight of it all left me feeling paralyzed. Not one item on my to-do list stood out above the others and so I stayed there on the couch trying to figure out how to get everything done all at once.
Totally a bad move.
This happens to me all the time with a looming to-do list, but with big projects I can snap into action without a problem. So today, we’re going to talk about just that – what to do when you have a million amazing ideas for your blog or business and you can’t seem to pick a direction, so you do nothing.
I want to launch a new product and offer a new service and re-work my website and perfect my Photoshop skills and create a blog series and collaborate with another biz ladies and learn to use my camera properly and start a really cool monthly event and write an ebook and and and…
Whoa there! Don’t let your overload of inspiration be the reason you’re not getting anything done!
Most of those ideas are likely amazing and worthwhile, but which is the best to focus on right now? Ask yourself the following questions and let’s narrow that list so you can actually get to work!
What are your current and long-term goals?
Are you looking to gain new clients or customers? Grow your social media presence? Maybe your bank account is looking a little sad and you need to make some fast cash. Whatever your purpose for starting a new project, make sure it aligns with your blogging or business goals. You’re going to be putting valuable time and resources and maybe even money into this, so make sure it serves a purpose now and in the future. Every project you take on should benefit your blog or business, push you toward your overall goals, AND put a smile on your face and the faces of your clients/customers/readers.
Why are you drawn to each project?
Sometimes we do things because we feel the need based on outside influence or we’re trying to keep up with other people in our niche. They all seem to be doing it with success – I probably should too. Or maybe it’s what your heroes or mentors have done and you feel it’s the only way to accomplish your goals. FYI…none of those are good reasons to start a new project.
Better reasons would be – it will benefit your readers/clients, it will accomplish a goal you’ve been hoping to hit for years, it will help grow your blog/biz, it will fill a hole in the market/your niche, you’ll learn something that will benefit your business, or it will just plain make you happy. (Yeah I’m a fan of doing things just because it makes me feel all warm and fuzzy)
Can your organize all your ideas into a plan for the coming year?
It is entirely possible that all of your ideas are equally awesome, so why not stick them into your calendar and produce one per quarter? Or maybe you have a project that will take months and you can do that at the same time you complete a project that will only take a few days or weeks.
You can do everything, but you’ll still need to create plan of action and yes, tackle one project first. Putting dates and deadlines for each on your calendar may help you feel less scattered and more motivated.
Which of these project actually work with your schedule & current resources?
If you put hours into planning a fantastic event, you will likely not have time left each day to write an ebook. But if you work on the event, meet a bunch of amazing people, and learn from the experience, you may have extra insight and motivational fuel to work on your ebook after. On the other hand, maybe planning an event doesn’t into your life at the moment, but you could definitely make time each night to work on that ebook.
And what about resources? Do you need some type of software or equipment to bring this idea to life? Do you have or can you get these things soon in order to start?
Take a realistic look at what type of commitment each idea is going to require. If it’s something you haven’t done before, hop on Twitter and ask someone who has experience, or start a project outline to get an idea. You don’t want to plunge head-first into a project only to find yourself drowning in work or lacking the proper tools.
An easy-peasy way to decide
If all your ideas seem feasible right now and have a long-term or short-term benefit, flip a coin. Choose your top two ideas and flip to pick a winner. Something will likely happen as that coin is twirling mid-air…your heart will spring toward the one you want to pursue most or you’ll feel slightly bummed if the one you wanted less wins. And if neither happens and both ideas are equally awesome – let the coin decide anyway :)
TWEET THIS: Too many choices? Flip a coin, guaranteed your heart will decide the second that coin is in the air.
The bottom line is…
If you are going to move forward, you MUST choose a direction. I bet most (if not all) of your ideas are fantastic, so it doesn’t really matter which direction you go. Pick one, dive into it, and you’ll be crushing it no matter what :) No second guessing and using idea overwhelm as a tool for procrastination anymore! Get to work!!
(And in case you were wondering, I got myself moving by literally getting my butt off the couch and taking the dog for a walk. Physical activity always works like a charm! …But I still didn’t get the laundry done >_<)
