Eureka!
You have struck gold in your mind. The most brilliant idea just came to you and you are inspired. Your mind is buzzing and you can feel adrenaline course through your body. At this rate, you might take over the world.
It’s a day after your aha-moment and your brilliant idea is starting to feel not so brilliant. Days turn into weeks, weeks into months and you’re starting to think it was fool’s gold all along. Are you right about the situation or has your perception become faulty with time?
When you have a brilliant idea and you leave it to keep running through your mind without taking any action, you become weary. The question now is, what should you do after you get an idea?
Write
When things are well written, it gives your mind the chance to see things fully compared to when they are stuck in your head. You’re also able to express the different parts of that idea. Most people have more than one light-bulb moment in their lifetime so it is wise to have an idea journal, if possible.
Research
Not everything is as it seems at first glance. An idea can look beautiful but in reality, it is not feasible. Whether it is a business idea or an idea for self-development, it makes sense to make your research before investing your time and attention.
Be accountable
Do you have people you can bounce ideas off? Sometimes, hearing a second opinion on an idea is necessary. There are indeed some ideas that only you will believe in but it is still wise to hear what they have to say. Don’t expect positive opinions all the time. One thing talking to people about your idea can do is that they can hold you to it. You now unofficially have accountability partners.
Plan
Remember the popular saying, ‘if you fail to plan, you plan to fail’? It rings true in this case. There is the chance of failing even when you plan but the likelihood of failing when you do not plan at all is pretty close to 100. Ideas become reality because you plan for them to be. Create a plan for that idea. Make it as detailed as possible. You do not need to have it all figured out because there are some things you learn on the job but plan still.
Execute
There are millions of ideas buzzing around every day. Research has shown that the average human has up to 6000 thousand thoughts per day. It is easy to keep running the most brilliant ideas in your mind but chances are, someone else is doing the same. There is usually no monopoly to an idea. Without execution, ideas would remain as they are. Ideas can be cheap but execution is the expensive part. When you have an idea, put in the work required.
Everyone loves an aha-moment but what you do afterward counts. Get yourself an idea journal and take records. That’s a great place to start.
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