<p>1.&nbsp; <strong>Jot it down.</strong>&nbsp; Start writing. The moment you have that initial brainwave, that wonderful idea, even if it's just an inkling of what's to come, write it down!&nbsp; It doesn't matter if it's on your computer, a notepad, scrap of paper, or a napkin from a restaurant; just get that idea on paper <em>somewhere, somehow, right now</em>.&nbsp; Write down as many details as you possibly can.&nbsp; For me, ideas come while I'm in the shower so I now keep a small notepad and pen in my bathroom cupboard.&nbsp; I was tired of forgetting that fantastic thought I had earlier in the day.</p> <p>2.&nbsp; <strong>Research.</strong>&nbsp; Now, you don't have to spend hours and hours in front of the computer, especially if you only have 15 or 20 minutes spare time at the moment, but do start researching.&nbsp; Even just preliminary footwork can get the excitement factor rising, and can ignite that passion you originally felt when the idea hit.&nbsp; And that passion is what you'll need to make this idea fly!&nbsp; Simply pick a few of the main phrases, points or words from your notes and plug them into Google.&nbsp; Then bookmark what you find to del.icio.us or another bookmarking site so you'll always have it no matter where you are.&nbsp; Hey, you just never know when the urge will strike to get going and move on this fabulous idea!&nbsp; </p> <p>3.&nbsp; <strong>Put your plan on paper</strong>.&nbsp; I know, I know, this seems scary and larger than life.&nbsp; But it doesn't have to be.&nbsp; Who says your business plan has to be like everyone else's?&nbsp; It is what it is, <em>to you</em>.&nbsp; These are only preliminary steps remember, not necessarily the document you'll take to the bank.&nbsp; (The one you'll take to the bank will grow from this one. &nbsp;But that's later.&nbsp; For now, just put some steps on paper.)&nbsp; A bit of a critical path perhaps, a bit of a marketing plan, if you're a numbers person throw some quick projections in.&nbsp; Once you start writing, the ideas, information, and passion will flow.&nbsp; Starting to write it down is the important point.&nbsp; Me, I use sticky notes for the preliminary steps, that way I can move them around and shift them to their final landing place before getting the final document together.&nbsp; Sometimes I simply use a critical path or timeline format, sometimes I use a calendar and write it in point form, it doesn't matter. This is <em>your</em> document and should reflect the way <em>you </em>work and <em>your</em> personality. </p> <p>4.&nbsp; <strong>Get buy in</strong> from friends and family.&nbsp; This is so important, especially if it's a business idea.&nbsp; Not only for the financial backing aspect, but from a supportive and loving aspect too.&nbsp; Simply put, it's easier (and much nicer) to have the support of friends and family as you build your dream, than to not have that love and support.&nbsp; But if you don't have it?&nbsp; Do it anyway!&nbsp; A few years ago I was starting a new venture and didn't have the support of a close family member.&nbsp; I was heartbroken, I was sad.&nbsp; But I did it anyway.&nbsp; This person just couldn't get their head around what I was doing, or why I wanted to do it.&nbsp; And it simply boiled down to the point that they weren't an entrepreneurial sort of person.&nbsp; They just couldn't fathom not working for an organization.&nbsp; Not working "for the man"!&nbsp; But once the venture took off and there was interest from outside parties, they could see the value and totally jumped on board.&nbsp; Especially when they saw the start-up costs were pretty much non-existent.&nbsp; Once I had their support the business started to flow better, I felt better about focussing on it and building it, and we got closer.&nbsp; So is support important?&nbsp; Yes.&nbsp; Would I sit on my laurels if I didn't have it?&nbsp; No way.&nbsp; This is your baby, in whatever form it takes.&nbsp; Which brings me to my last point:</p> <p>5. &nbsp;<strong>Just do it.</strong>&nbsp; No matter what.&nbsp; Just do it.&nbsp; Start implementing.&nbsp;&nbsp; Look at your business plan/marketing plan/critical path, and dig in!&nbsp; Get the flow going, get that energy focussed and get it rollin'!</p> 2008-09-06T00:52:47Z -18.1195 533 1603 true 12 14745 five-quick-tips-to-turning-someday-into-to-day 2 2008-09-06T22:14:06Z 2008-09-06T22:14:06Z

Have a “Wow, that would be great someday” idea? Here are five quick pointers to turning that ever-elusive Some-day, into To-day.

0 2009-02-24T09:45:53Z