Four Ways to Turn Ideas into Action

Do you have trouble following through and accomplishing the goals you set for yourself? Or, do you struggle to set goals in the first place? CEO Adam Contos provides four key steps to turning your ideas into action.

1. SEGMENT YOUR GOALS INTO MICRO-COMMITMENTS

   When your alarm goes off, don’t focus on the big goal of making it to the gym or getting to that 9 am meeting. Instead, just focus on putting your feet on the floor, then standing up, then walking to the kitchen, then getting your cup of coffee, and so on. These are micro-commitments – easy, small steps that give you the momentum to keep going until you’ve accomplished the main goal.

2. MASTER THE ART OF SHOWING UP

   The hardest part of commitment is deciding to start, so once that’s done, simply showing up and getting to work should be easy. Don’t overcommit early on. Instead, surprise yourself and others by overdelivering.

3. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

   Entertainment is the enemy of execution. Designate specific periods in your day for checking social media – and set your devices aside at all other times. Don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll be more productive if you take a quick “brain break” by mindlessly scrolling your feed. Hours later, you’ll realize you were wrong.

4. CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT THAT FACILITATES SUCCESS

   Establish ground rules for yourself about what you will do and won’t do. And then stay true to them. The intensity of your commitment will impact other people as well, creating a culture that’s mutually beneficial and always productive.