Keith JonesDecember 16, 2015

Ever so often I come across an old journal or notes with great ideas I had at the time. I recall being very excited. My process for making the ideas become reality always start out the same. I write a mission statement, create an outline of steps to take and make a timeline to get it all done. Then I get to work.

The difference between the project remaining an idea or being completed comes down to three things. The first is my 100% commitment to work on it daily or weekly no matter what comes up in my life. The second is tracking my progress. And the third is having an accountability partner. If I do these things, I produce results every time. If I leave out one of these steps, the project is significantly delayed, if finished at all. In most cases, it’s not completed.

Here is how to apply this 3-step formula to make your ideas, dreams and vision boards become reality:

1. Be 100% committed. If you’re serious about your dream, go all in. This means allocating time to work on it daily or weekly. Eliminate all distractions while you’re working. This includes no phone, email or social media during that time. Focus completely on the day’s work for your idea.
2. Track your progress by keeping a log or setting a small goal for the week. Make sure it’s an achievable one to build confidence and create momentum to keep going.
3. Have an accountability partner who will hold you to your commitment to work on the project. You want someone who will not give you a pass. Set up a day and time each week to meet with them. Let them know what your goal is for the week and commit to showing them the completed task at the end of the week. This is very important.

Every time I use this formula, I finish the project. However, if any part of the formula is left out or compromised, I fail. For example, if my accountability partner allows me to slide with an excuse, the task for that week rolls over to the next week and delays project completion. If this happens often, the idea dies. So it’s important that my partner doesn’t let me off the hook. If an emergency comes up, they can be empathetic while strongly requesting the date the task will be finished once the crisis passes.

Your ideas are important so treat them that way by going all in! Dreams don’t work unless you do. So get to work and see them all the way to the end!

Keith