How to turn ideas into action

This has been my life long struggle. True, I have made a few things happen. The list of things that have remained as ideas is huge. And I am not counting ideas that failed.

No one can accuse me of being an arm-chair ideas person. Yet my track record of making ideas happen is far from satisfactory. I know I could have done better.

Take the example of writing a book. My first book nearly didn't happen. I almost gave up. I have started my second book. But it is not moving. When I see my friends and role models churning out books one after the other ... I stand there watching them in admiration. And wonder how they do it. There must be extraordinary motivation. Focus. Determination etc.

So I decided to focus on things that I did. And figure out how I made them happen. Rather than feel demotivated from the things that I have started. And waiting to be finished. What has helped me make things happen? What has helped me remain productive?

1. A To-Do-List is not good enough

I had learnt that I must write my To-Do-List as an action list. The trick is to start each item on the list with an action verb. Call Ambi Parameswaran. Meet Prakash Iyer. Clean the book shelves. Write chapter 2. And so on. I was an excellent account executive in my advertising days. And I used to ensure that my job list was 90% done every day. I think I was driven, motivated, obsessed ... those were the drivers. A job list is just a job list. It does not make things happen. Like a map does not take you to places. This does not undermine the importance of a action list.

2. Differentiate between doing and chasing/reminding

There are things I have to do myself . There are things that I have to remind others to do. My trouble is with things that I have to do myself. Reminding others has been easy and I am pretty good at it. My reminders, requests and instructions are simple and clear. My struggle has always been with things I have to do myself. So I have two different kinds of list. Chasing/Reminding and RS To Do list. The second one is the tough one.

3. Learning from What has worked

I went through things I have completed over the last one year. And things that I have started and have not moved forward. What I have learned are as follows.

a. All projects are not the same. Yes every project involves thinking and doing. But the proportions are different. Learn to accept that.

Here is an example. Writing an article for LinkedIn is NOT the same as writing a book of fiction.

b. Working with influencers is NOT the same as decision makers. Working with corporate decision makers is different from working with an entrepreneur. Getting decisions from a corporate CEO is different from getting decisions from a business owner.

4. Managing the self

My biggest challenge has been waiting. Tolerance for ambiguity. And decision on how much to follow up. When to stop follow-up.

I have done this for 20 years now. I have begun to understand how things work for me. For example if I have submitted a proposal my first follow up might be within 15 days of submitting it. I just enquire "Have I given you everything you wanted? Would you be able to take a decision based on what I have given?". If they say 'Yes, we have got everything that we want', then I might ask 'by when do you want the job done?'. I have found that to be a better question than 'when will you give your decision'. Answer to my question will show the urgency on the project.

5. Negotiation

Clients negotiate on scope of work, deadlines and price. I have handled the first two very well. Negotiation on price has not been easy. Having said that I must say I have lost just 3 projects in the last 20 years because of poor price negotiation on my part.

As I look back there are many things that I have made happen.

a. Designing a creative problem solving process called "Creative Block Busting". And exclusive tool kit to support it. And written a book "Unlock The Real Power Of Ideation." What saw through these projects is a dogged determination to 'Make it happen'. And unwilling to give up.

b. Facilitating over 400 Creative Block Busting Workshops in the last 20 years. Excellent projects, great clients.

c. Building enduring relationships with a several clients. Many of them have provided me with referrals. Some others have given me opportunities when they moved from one company to another.

One final word for people who want to make things happen: Don't Give Up!