​Since they can’t wait to share their ideas, and enlist you as their sounding board and brainstorm buddy, the extroverts among us could lead us to believe that they’ve got a lock on innovative ideas. Change makers Bill Gates, Steven Spielberg, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rosa Parks would quietly disagree. If you’re curious about what the other half is thinking, ask them.

Soliciting ideas from observant and deep thinking introverts calls for curiosity, carefully observing people in action, and subtly adapting our communication style to match theirs. When you meet people where they are and you ask what they think, await their reply, then acknowledge them, you send a powerful message: you value their ideas and respect a myriad of different approaches to thinking, learning and communicating.

In the first of this series of blogs we explored the core question, “WHY does your business exist?” Once you uncovered the answer, we explored HOW you will achieve purpose. Now we’ll explore how critical it is to really get through the first two questions before you can answer the third and final question in Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle infographic. “WHAT should you do to deliver on the promise of your WHY?”

Late last week, starting with WHY, helped Dan uncover the root of a problem that’s been plaguing him for weeks. He showed-up wondering how he could motivate one of his long-term employees (sound familiar?) now that he’s taken the on a high-profile project for implementing a new program for their human services clients.

​In the first of this series of blogs we explored the all-important question, “WHY does your business exist?” In this blog we will explore the second question in Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle infographic, “HOW are you delivering on the promise of your WHY?”
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Put your business plan on the shelf for now – and if you don’t have one, that’s even better. To answer HOW, read on to learn how you can marshal all the resources it takes to explore every possibility, gain important insights, and challenge your perceptions and expectations. In the final blog in the series, you’ll meet the challenge of WHAT and you’ll be fully prepared to create a business plan that brings your WHY to life. 

Unleashing your potential for entrepreneurial success. Part 1 in a 3 Part Series: The Why, How and What for Bringing Your Idea to Life

Ideas are the sparks that ignite curiosity and spawn entrepreneurial success. Are you itching to turn your idea into a service or product people will buy? Imagine that you are talking to a 6-year-old. Hold the hype, jargon and industry buzzwords and describe your idea in the simplest terms. With that as our starting point, let’s explore the possibilities with the help of author and TED Talk favorite, Simon Sinek. Read a Brand Genetics summary of his book, WHY? And watch his popular TED Talk.

Sinek poses the question, What’s the fundamental difference between the “Apples” of the world and everyone else? They start with one the question, Why?

Blame it on the full  moon! 

For the first time in over 10 years, I created a vision board in less than an hour and without cutting and pasting. I used PowerPoint to design a free-form collage around a picture of a very happy me that includes images and phrases that I collected on-line. My vision board is now the wallpaper on my phone, the first page in my daily planner and a picture on my nightstand.
 
What are you dreaming about? If you’re ready to create a vision board, start with ​                                                                                               

​Two modest letters combine to create one powerful statement - “NO”. Thinking strategically, we can selectively use “no” to stay in control of our time and resources. Amy Gallo’s HBR’s Best on Saying No to More Work reminds us to: 

​How many of us thought of ourselves when we first read those four words? During this reflective time of year, remember that the most important conversation is the one we have with ourselves.

Marie Forleo’s video got me thinking. Here’s an exercise to set ourselves up to take pride in our work and to live the life we truly want. Put yourself first, take your time, and reach out to your mentors, fans, and contrarians. Get their help stretching your imagination, discovering how other people see you, and finding the clarity that makes it easy to take the first step toward achieving your goals.