That show, book, or song you love was once an uncertain idea in someone’s brain. That wall mural, new company, concert, play, museum exhibit, installation, energy process – all require a lot of attention and energy. It is so easy to forget just what it takes to bring something to market, to create, to bring forth. If you have something you are working on – an idea, hope, dream, project, product, new habit or skill, here are 13 Ingredients for Building Something Great.
Getting started
One: The Idea
It all begins with an idea: It can be a slowly emerging tentative whisper of an idea, or something that hits you over the head. It could be a need or niche to be filled. It could be a new work initiative or skill you want to attain. Either way, you can’t shake the thought and have to pursue it.
Two: Exploration
Then comes exploration: Questions, initial research, playing with the idea – turning it over in your mind, possibly some discussion or testing the theory with trusted friends who will engage with open minds towards the possibility – not those who will kill or keep the idea small in the name of safety.
Three: Decisions
What do you want to work on? Where will you put your focus? Decide, and then: what one action will you take given your current resources of energy, time, money, bandwidth, and schedule? Take that step.
Managing the Obstacles
There will be resistance: This may come in the form of fear, inertia, apathy or self-doubt.
Four: Inertia
You may be thinking: “Why even start this? It makes no sense, and I’m already so busy.” There is always so much to do; there are never enough resources. And it’s so easy or tempting to tune out or put it off because we feel we need bigger blocks of time, money, space.
Five: Self-doubt and Fear
There are two evil cousins, named Self-Doubt and Fear. When we start something new, we have to be prepared to live in discomfort. If not vigilant, these cousins can derail the exploration of what could be a great idea. You’ll feel stuck, scared, and unsure of how to proceed – this is normal. Take any lessons from “failures” but don’t give in to the doubt. You may scrap a project, and if you do, do it for the right reasons, not due to fear and doubt. Change plans because your research has led you to it, or you have consciously decided to focus your energy elsewhere. Oh, and if it looks like your idea is going to take off…be aware that success can be even scarier than failure. Buckle up, baby!
Six: Naysayers
If the cousins don’t show up, the Naysayers will. Your new idea might not be traditional, “safe” (read: status quo), or welcomed. People will say, “We’ve already tried this” or “This will never work.” Even those closest to us might discourage us from trying. In the beginning stages, be careful with whom you share your idea. If you do share your ideas, be ready to parse the advice you receive. Take what is useful and ditch the rest.
Process
These next ingredients all relate to the process of building and creating something new.
Seven: Reflection
Sometimes you have to step away from the work to allow your mind to assimilate new knowledge. This may take the form of binge watching your fave show, but could also be exercise, gardening, housework, or other projects. What is important is that you stay aware of the difference between avoiding the work (fear) and allowing your brain to process new information and ways of thinking.
Eight: Iteration
Ideas evolve. Each experiment yields new information. Mistakes happen – this is part of learning. Good ideas come out of bad ones, and experimentation brings knowledge that you can only get from iteration, from trial and error.
Nine: Resources
For any build, we must collect and deploy our resources. This includes personal energy, time, money, and how to get people to understand and support the idea. What resources do you need to get started? Can you bootstrap in the beginning? At what point do you need to pitch or market this idea in a particular way to get buy in? Who might be able to donate some help?
Ten: The Scaffold
Besides the product, service, or idea, there is support work to be done. It could be in preparing to pitch your idea, creating a business plan, or organizing content. The scaffold is necessary for long-term success.
Eleven: Patience
Patience is a very necessary ingredient for all aspects of the process, especially when you feel stuck and want to chuck it all, retreat to the couch and eat ice cream.
Twelve: Tenacity
Related to patience, tenacity is key for pushing forward when the path is unclear and when you alone believe in the idea. It is essential in employing both hustle and grace in moving incrementally forward.
Celebration
Thirteen: Celebrate!
And finally, wherever you are on the journey, take moments to acknowledge your progress. With wins big or small, what matters is paying attention and acknowledging the process. Take the lessons learned as worthy of the celebration.
At the Workbench
Once you’ve identified what you want to work on, make a pact with yourself to believe in your idea and stay curious, even when others resist or don’t understand. Allow for exploration, experimentation, play. Where will your curiosity and interest lead?
Let me know how it goes!
-Sending love and light, and tenacity –
Thanks for reading!
If you enjoyed this, please help me spread the word by sharing with your people.
To subscribe: https://kristinaau.com/contact-us/
You can also follow me here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristinaau.workbench/
Twitter https://twitter.com/KristinaAu1
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinaau
Interested in individual or group coaching?
Explore the options at Workbenchcoach.com.
At The Workbench, we are dedicated to all things coaching and personal growth.
It is here we take the time and make the space to pursue our significant dreams
and goals, one action at a time.
What can I help you build and create?
