Ideas and business: How to boost your productivity by reining in your ideas

Well, not necessarily. The problem with ideas is that they don’t count for much until you act upon them. Turning them into something tangible proves to be more important than having them. And that is precisely the most challenging part. It’s not unusual to come to a halt once you have to bring your idea to life. Having too many options can be overwhelming indeed. Sometimes, it can even paralyze you and prevent you from taking the next step.

But don’t succumb to the doom and gloom that easily. Fortunately, there are ways to break the vicious circle of counterproductive habits. Read on and find out how to ramp up your productivity by reining in your ideas.

Why having too many ideas can be bad for your business

Having too many ideas is good only if you know what to do with them. Otherwise, they become a problem of their own. If they aren’t clear, they can confuse you and divert you from going after your goals. Instead of driving you forward, they cause stagnation. Not knowing what to do next often results in no action whatsoever. That’s why it’s crucial to tame your creative mind and stay focused at all times.

Bear in mind that ideas can quickly turn into distractions. Apart from that, brain overload will affect your ability to think clearly. And that is the last thing you need. Think of all the notes you take and infinite to-do lists you piously compile. They trigger feelings of false productivity but don’t do anything for project development. Instead of helping you bring your ideas to life, they only add to the overall confusion.

But that’s not everything. The ideation stage brings along indecision, procrastination, and the stress of incomplete tasks. All this, combined with the ever-present lack of time, unquestionably impacts your productivity. Ultimately, it can also affect your business efforts. You spend time on ideas that are meant to be productive, but it turns out they’re less than helpful. In the end, they just waste your time and cause mental fatigue. That’s why you might want to consider skipping out on endless brainstorming sessions and concentrating on clearing your mind instead. Let’s not forget, when it comes to productivity – less is truly more.

Additionally, it’s important to recognize that not every idea is a good one. Remember that having too many ideas can hold you back from turning the ones that really matter into reality. So what should you do next time you’re caught in a tidal wave of ideas?

How to deal with too many ideas

First of all, we need to establish that ideas are not the problem; the problem is (not) knowing what to do with them.

It would be best to set some ground rules that will help you understand how to act upon all the ideas you come up with. These rules will be of use when distinguishing between good and bad ideas. Also, they will make evident which ones should be carried out.

Note that these ground rules are not set in stone and you can easily tailor them to your needs and habits. But they make a good starting point. Let’s see how it works:

1. Write down your ideas. Document everything. Make a note of anything that pops into your mind.
2. Set a review time for your ideas. Let them rest for a while and then revisit them. As you will find out, not all ideas age well. Be ruthless. Reduce the list by eliminating the bad ones.
3. Rank your ideas. It will be hard, but try to be objective. Determine which idea is worth pursuing and turn it into your next project.
4. Choose the top idea. Don’t just dwell on the list. Pick the best idea and focus your efforts on turning it into reality.
5. Determine SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely). Now go for it!
6. Review your list from time to time. It’s important to be realistic when clearing your list. Get rid of the ideas that create unnecessary stress. Leave only those that can be turned into a project when the timing is right.

Once you have chosen your next project, it’s time to find the right team to help achieve your goal.

How to bring your ideas to life with the help of your team

It’s ok to ask for extra help when bringing your ideas to life. The key to success is knowing how to do it. Try to keep it short and clear. Don’t burden your team members with too many ideas and infinite to-do lists. Instead, focus on one goal and how to accomplish it. To get there, try following these 7 steps:

1. Schedule a meeting and include all the team members that will be working on the project.
2. Clearly present your idea. It can be a visual representation or a detailed brief.
3. Make sure all the team members understand the end goal. Include a Q&A session that will help you clear up any possible misunderstandings.
4. Create a clear project outline.
5. Split the project into smaller tasks.
6. Divide the workload among your colleagues.
7. Organize stand-up meetings. Update each other on your progress regularly, and double-check everyone is in the loop.

Make sure not to leave anything open to interpretation. Avoid unclear instructions. Refrain from saying “it needs to be done” or “someone needs to do it”. Because, as it usually turns out, it won’t be done and no one will do it. Don’t forget that leaving things vague is the ultimate writing on the wall. Don’t risk a negative outcome. Nip it in the bud – recognize and name the right person for the job. Once you’ve done it, delegate the tasks accordingly and clearly communicate your ideas and expectations to your team.

Why is it important to effectively communicate ideas at work?

Effective communication enables you to convey your message in a transparent way. Also, it helps your team to get through the tasks with ease. Once all the team members are on the same page, it will be easier for everyone to own their role.

Not only will effective communication boost overall productivity, but it will also save you a lot of time. As a team lead, you are responsible for providing all team members with accurate and timely information. If you do it right from the start, you will avoid a lot of confusion in the following stages. Imagine what your workday would look like if you weren’t constantly distracted and interrupted with additional questions waiting for you to answer them.

Good communication in the workplace is essential for improving team spirit. Ultimately, it increases innovation and efficiency. Communicating your ideas in a clear way boosts growth and improves conflict mitigation. In the long run, it will cut down on the feelings of frustration and anxiety on both sides. After all, conveying positive feelings and emotions will help you increase loyalty within your team.

In the end, it’s a win-win situation for everyone. You’ll know your idea has been set in motion, and your team will know what they need to do.

Take joy in thinking less

Don’t waste your time and energy on creating too many ideas. Prioritize quality over quantity.  Aim for ideas that are polished and well-rounded. Declutter your mind from those that are fragmented and jumbled.

Once you stop doing things that make you feel busy but don’t seem to be getting you any results, you’ll be ready to focus on productivity and achieving the goal you have set.

The next time an idea crosses your mind, remember that the key to success is subtraction, not addition. Revel in the joy of thinking less and achieving more.

However, if you still can’t help yourself and your creative mind, contact us, and we’ll make sure to find the right way to bring your ideas to life.