How to Turn Your Ideas into Reality: A Guide to Overcoming Common Barriers

When we think of Facebook, we think of Mark Zuckerberg. Yet for years after its launch, Zuckerberg was being sued by two Harvard University brothers, the Winklevoss twins, who claimed he had stolen their idea when they asked for help coding their site ConnectU. Throughout history, accusations of idea stealing have occurred quite often. Even this week, two writers from the first GI Joe movie are suing Paramount and MGM, claiming the studios stole their ideas for the sequel.

The truth is that ideas are worth nothing unless acted upon. They are merely thoughts that have been given enough kudos to be written down. Yet having an overfilled notepad or an app full of ideas serves no purpose unless you act on your best ideas in some way.

There has never been a better time to turn ideas into reality and make an impact on the world. The internet has created massive opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals for potential collaborations, cheaper technologies have made access to necessary resources even easier, and websites like Kickstarter have presented opportunities to get funding for ideas that were once out of our grasp.

So what would stop you from attempting to turn your ideas into reality? When I coach clients, there are several common barriers my clients face early on:

Fear of Failure

As humans, we have a natural aversion to risk, which can make us resistant to trying if we think there is a chance we might fail. However, those who pursue their ideas in spite of the potential for failure find that their ideas can transform into something even better because of the setbacks they experience along the way.

Overwhelm of Ideas

A common problem can simply be having too many ideas and finding it hard to pin down one to pursue. This comes down to having criteria about what excites you enough to go for, combined with the purpose of the idea; is it a hobby or to make a profit?

Delayed Gratification vs. Instant Gratification

Worthwhile ideas require creation. They do not appear instantly by magic, and this requires a focus to turn the ideas in your head into something real. Yet life can get in the way with tempting offers that provide more immediate gratification. It is crucial that you believe in the process enough not to always succumb to the delights that instant gratification can bring.

Despite these common barriers, ideas are being created every day, and you can turn your ideas into reality with a straightforward process that gets your idea out of the notebook and making an impact on the world.

1. Make the Idea Concrete

Before you start, it is essential to make sure the idea that begins as an abstract concept turns into something more concrete. There is a significant difference between saying, “I’m going to set up an online business” and “I am going to set up an online business selling vintage clothes to students.” A good marker is, “If my idea was in front of a video camera, what specifically would people be seeing?”

2. Find Out What You Have and What You Need

To bake a cake, you need ingredients. To bring an idea to life, you need resources. Some you already have, while others you need to obtain. It is essential not to trap yourself by using a lack of resources as a reason for not starting. Even if you need money, you can still get started. A good marker is finding an example of something similar that has been created and seeing what needed to be present to make it real.

3. Decide on the Purpose of the Idea

This is the fuel that drives you to make your idea a reality. If there is no purpose, you may last a week, but as soon as the first setback appears, the temptation to give up may be too much. Is it a personal hobby you want to get good at, or is it an idea to earn money? Your commitment will be determined by the answer.

4. Decide What Needs to Happen to Move Towards an Outcome

What needs to happen regularly? This is your strategy for making your idea a reality. By creating systems, you make the process easier, enabling consistency for ensuring things get done.

5. What is the First Thing that Needs to Happen?

People can get overwhelmed by creating too many steps they feel they must follow, when in reality, you can just start with the first step and then ask, “What next?”

Ideas are nothing on their own. That is not where the magic lies. Anyone can have ideas. The magic is in creating them and showing them to the world. Go and create.