Have you ever had a really great idea and then later saw someone else
putting it into action? Even more perplexing is when you never told anyone
about the idea, yet somehow, someone discovered it and acted on it before
you could.
Maybe you had an idea for a blockbuster new ebook that would make all
your financial dreams come true, or you came up with a great home business
model that would have had reps flocking to your door - and now someone
else is sucking up all the glory.
It's an awful, sinking feeling to see someone else profiting from your
idea - I know, I've been there! However, don't let it discourage you into
hanging up your entrepreneur hat.
Here are three ways to turn the situation around:
How to take action. The worst thing about seeing someone else
put your idea into action is knowing that you could have done so too,
if only you'd been more proactive. Maybe you were struggling with an
overloaded schedule so you put the idea on the back burner for awhile,
or you were uncertain about your own ability to do a good job with it
- and someone else saw the potential and swooped in on the opportunity.
The first step to salvaging the situation is acknowledging that you
could have done better, and vowing to do better next time. While it's
impossible to act on every single idea you have, you can make a stronger
effort to take even small actions on the really good ideas. Remember
that small actions done consistently add up to great results.
Take a different angle. Even if someone put your idea into
action, they probably didn't do it exactly the way you would have. Give
some thought to different angles you could take on the same idea. This
works especially well with informational products, because there are
so many facets to each topic. Open your mind and think about opposing
views and unique perspectives you can use to turn your idea around and
make it fresh again.
Make it bigger and better. Think about ways to build on your
original idea and expand it. Think about great sequels to best-selling
ebooks (or print books, for that matter). Think about improvements and
modifications that could refine the idea and take it to a new level
of success. Consider alternative marketing techniques that could make
all the difference in the popularity of your product or idea. Whatever
you do, don't limit yourself. Push past your doubts and be willing to
aim higher in your goals.
The truth is, there are limitless numbers of ideas just floating around,
waiting to be realized. If you open your mind, more than a few good ones
are bound to fall right in. Begin keeping an idea journal so you can record
the great ideas as they come. Engage in frequent brainstorming sessions
to see if you can either come up with more ideas, or improve upon the
ones you already have.
Create a detailed plan for the ideas you want to work on first, so you
won't feel overwhelmed or confused by how to proceed. A good way to do
this is by considering the outcome you're trying to achieve, and then
working backwards. Which action steps will be needed to accomplish the
outcome? Make a list of these steps, and put them in a logical order of
progression. You'll then have a detailed roadmap leading to the success
you're trying to create.
Finally, and most importantly, begin taking action! Even if you can only
spare 15 minutes a day, you will feel more productive and make steady
progress on the tasks you've set for yourself. Simply focus on taking
one step at a time, and before you know it, you'll be the one sucking
up all the glory, while someone else slaps their forehead and says, "Hey,
that was MY idea!"
Wendy Betterini is a freelance writer, web designer and owner
of http://www.CreativeWorkAtHome.com,
a resource center for home business owners and telecommuters. Visit today
for information on how to make your work at home experience successful.
