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How to decide when to act and when to discard an idea?

March 12, 2014 By Karen Main 20 Comments

All day long I have endless idea bubbles rising to the surface.  They pop into my conscious mind, teasing, taunting and exciting me to take action toward an incredible and creative future.

We now live in a world that offers limitless, free inspiration at our fingertips.  Quotes, images, words, articles, videos all with the capacity to spark new ideas and generate change within ourselves.

Add to this the increased affordability and accessibility to technologies, materials and world-wide audiences and it seems there are no limits.

Our ideas can truly become our reality.

For an idea junkie like me it can be hard to let any of them go.  What if that idea was the game changer?  What if I never have another idea as good as that one?

Already today I have had numerous grand ideas.

It would be unrealistic to follow and act upon every idea, no matter how large or small it seems.

How then do we decide when to act, when to file for future and when to discard an idea?

Many ideas have a way of lingering around, hints and reminders showing up in the most unexpected places.  If an idea keeps resurfacing write it down, talk to someone about it, give it room to expand.

Some ideas may seem difficult to act on right now, this may not be the best time and you may have commitments.   This does not mean the idea should be completely lost and forgotten.   Keep a notebook for the future, a place where you refer when it is time to dream BIG.

Ideas

Then there are the ideas that entice us off the path.  Their sparkle and shine may dazzle and distract you from your over all goals.   Upon closer inspection these ideas, although pretty and exciting,  may ultimately hold no long term value for you and are best discarded.

What to do?

Think about your idea, write it down talk about it and take a moment to notice how you feel.  Do you open up or shrink away?  Are you standing tall or hunching over?  Is your smile growing by the second or your frown dragging your eyebrows to your nose.

You have begun to consult your most wise and wonderful guide…. your desire driven innermost self.

Great ideas lift us up, open our wings and move us toward feeling exactly how we want to feel, even when they include hard work and dedication.

If you get the intuitive green light go all in.

Write the idea down, capture its essence and find time to explore it fully.

Ideas do not have to be earth shattering and mind-blowing to make a difference to your everyday fulfillment and happiness.

Think of the hundreds of simple ideas, the little urges you get and the feel good moments.
You know the thoughts that may quickly zip in and out as you go about your day.  The ideas you feel good just thinking about.

The idea to:

  • organise a lunch with your friends
  • have your make up done professionally
  • get up early and watch the sunrise
  • send flowers to your Mum
  • eat lunch at the park
  • take off your shoes and walk barefoot in the grass
  • see a movie during the day
  • take a photo of a flower in your garden
  • hold hands with your significant other as you walk along
  • paint a picture
  • buy a new cushion to brighten up your room
  • buy a new teapot and matching cup
  • try a new recipe
  • buy yourself flowers
  • take a walk with the family after dinner
  • meditate when you wake up
  • write a letter to a loved one and post it

It is the small, incremental actions that edge us closer to fabulous everyday joy.

Have you just had an IDEA!

Let me know in the comments what you have decided to act upon today.

Signature large photo Signaturelarge_zps82b3ad36.png

Filed Under: Feeling Inspired Tagged With: creative, Growth, ideas

Comments

  1. thedoseofreality says

    March 13, 2014 at 1:24 am

    Today I am organizing a movie outing to see Veronica Mars! 🙂 WOOHOO!! Love what you said about waiting and really thinking about some things instead of just acting upon them!-Ashley

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 14, 2014 at 1:37 pm

      Ashley, sometimes a bit of extra thought goes a long way.

      Reply
  2. debbie says

    March 13, 2014 at 1:49 am

    Love this lesson on inviting in the ideas that resonate on a “soul” level, and letting others slip away. My brain percolates with a constant flow. I need a notebook… Do you remember a very old Michael Keaton movie, Nightshift where his character carried a small tape recorder to record all of his “ideas” during his shift? !

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 14, 2014 at 1:38 pm

      Debbie I have to admit I voice record my ideas sometimes, Michael Keatons character has gone to a whole other level.

      Reply
  3. Tamara says

    March 13, 2014 at 3:09 am

    I’m such an ideas person. I always joke with my husband that I’m 90% ideas and only 10% implementation. Recently I decided to send my mom french macarons. She’s obsessed with them and doesn’t find them often in her rural town in New Jersey.
    I also sent my friend chocolates.
    And organized a playdate that was long overdue.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 14, 2014 at 1:39 pm

      Tamara I love how awesomely thoughtful you are and I could imagine you having hundreds of ideas everyday.

      Reply
  4. Kim says

    March 13, 2014 at 8:20 am

    Love the idea of an idea journal.

    I also can’t wait for the grass to be green so that I can walk barefoot through it.

    For today, going to get out the musical toys and rock out with my boys.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 14, 2014 at 1:40 pm

      Kim, Idea journals are the best, mine has blank and lined paper for drawings and writing.
      Enjoy that green grass soon.

      Reply
  5. Naomi says

    March 14, 2014 at 1:32 am

    It’s so hard to decide! I have a photo folder on my computer called “Inspiration” that I tap into when I want to create something. Beyond that, a note on my phone that tracks all my crazy notions. 🙂

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 14, 2014 at 1:42 pm

      Naomi I love the idea of a folder on your computer as I get so many ideas when online and of course the phone. My notes are full of crazy notions too. I love beign creative.

      Reply
  6. Tara Newman says

    March 15, 2014 at 11:16 pm

    YES! I have so many ideas. If I don’t manage them, they will paralyze me. I keep them in a journal but I am terrible at keeping all ideas in the same journal. I love when I go back 4 years and see the same ideas popping up. Definitely tells me to act on those. I am currently acting on an idea I had almost 10 years ago.

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 16, 2014 at 9:56 am

      Tara an idea from 10 years ago, how exciting. I too love when I see the same ideas popping up, I see it as a sign to act.

      Reply
  7. Mel says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:07 am

    I love the idea of a journal to write down your ideas! I feel like I often have random thoughts I’d like to follow up on, but loose them by the time I actually can!

    Stopping by from the SITSGirls!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 16, 2014 at 9:57 am

      Mel an idea journal can be so much fun and a wonderful place to revisit over time. Might be time to begin one ??

      Reply
  8. Rachel G says

    March 16, 2014 at 7:16 am

    This is so true! I’m definitely an ideas person, and ideas both big and small show up all the time. Not every idea is worth following through till completion, but many of them are!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 16, 2014 at 10:00 am

      I agree Rachel, some ideas need to be discarded and this also makes room for new ones.

      Reply
  9. Zoya says

    March 16, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    Such a lovely post. I have a hard time letting go of any idea no matter how time crunched I am. Tends to clutter up my life. Slowly learning how to manage this problem.lol.
    The latest idea was starting a blog and it consumed my every waking min for the last month!

    Reply
    • Karen Main says

      March 17, 2014 at 9:35 am

      Zoya starting a blog is the biggest ride I have been on in years. There are highs andy lows and you never want to get off to even eat, drink or sleep. I wish you all the very best.

      Reply
      • Zoya says

        March 17, 2014 at 10:38 pm

        haha.. thank you Karen! I need all the luck I can get. Blog land is ruled by fashionistas and Supermommies and Craft Goddesses. It’s intimidating. But it’s also addicting fun!

        Reply

Trackbacks

  1. The 3 easy steps to finding that elusive ME Time - Karen Main says:
    March 14, 2014 at 1:32 pm

    […] You are in need of a little more regular ME Time and you have had a wonderful idea. […]

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Meet Karen

Karen Main is a Life Leadership Coach for people who are ready to make a change in their lives.
Through her coaching, workshops and speaking gigs she’s here to help you design a life you love — while making it all feel like a celebration.
And when she’s not working, you can find her indulging in a long walk with the dog, laughing with her kids or at her favourite yoga class Read More…

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