Have you ever had an idea to create something, but just didn't know how to go about bringing it into existence? Or have you ever seen some form of injustice or societal ill, and wanted to do something about it- but just didn't know how? If so, you probably are lacking focus about where to direct your energy. Let's face it, there are no shortages of causes to get behind and there are always issues that will need addressing. But where do you fit into this picture and how can you make sure that your voice is heard?
First, you have to secure your motivation. There has to be something driving your actions and causing you to persevere when things get tough- and they will! In order to do this you have to find out what motivates you as an individual. What are you passionate about? What energizes you into action? Be sure to know that there is no right or wrong motivation- well being motivated by greed or the exploitation of others would be wrong- but you get the idea. You have to be in touch with who you are and what you are capable of.
As part of your personal evaluation ask yourself these questions:
Do I want to do this? (whatever "this" may be)
Do I have a specific purpose/goal?
Am I realistic about my capabilities?
Am I prepared for the long haul?
Can I motivate others and take the lead?
Can I make decisions that will affect other people?
Am I flexible enough to learn from my mistakes?
Am I easily discouraged?
Am I determined and prepared to keep going when things get tough?
Once you have confidentally answered all of those questions, you can focus on a mission statement that will be the starting point for your particular idea. At this point your "voice" is at its infancy. It's alive but it's small and fragile; and in order to grow it will require nurturing and development.
The next step in the development process would be preparation. By this stage you should have fully analyzed your motivation and established your mission. Now you have to prepare an idea that will work to satisfy that mission. Keep in mind that not every idea will be a successful one, frankly only a handful will be nurtured into something worthwhile. As you generate ideas, write them down. bounce the ideas off your peers or partners. Regardless of the method of generating the idea, once a viable idea has been captured a plan has to be established to bring the idea from infancy into adulthood.
So, you have a mission and an idea to execute it. Now, you have to create a detailed plan to execute it. Planning will ensure that your idea is brought into reality. It helps you move away from the theoretical framework of your idea and allows you to focus on the impact your idea will have on society. The plan should be laid out in a clear and concise manner, so that it can also be presented to community leaders, investors, donors or other stakeholders for support of your aims.
A good plan should have the following elements:
1. An Executive Summary - this is an overview of your full plan. It helps explain the ful concept before you explain it in detail within the plan.
2. The Problem- What is the problem? What causes the problem? and why is solving this problem improtant?
3. Vision and Mission- what is the future of your idea? What change in the world would you like to see?
4. Solution- What is your solution? What population will you be serving? How are the outcomes of your actions going to ultimately lead to your overall mission.
5. The Team- Who will you need to help execute this mission? What are your advisory needs? Who will be your core staff?
6. Target Market- Give details on the target group or cause of your idea.
7. Competition- who is providing similar services?
8. Financial Plan- Create a start-up budget; include fundraising efforts, grants, donors; revenue-expense projections, cash flow projections.
9. Implementation- Document how your thoughts and plans are going to be brought into action.
OK, now that the plan has been established what to do next? Right now, your idea is in its toddler phase. It's in motion, but it still pretty shaky and definitely not self sufficient. Now you have to get your plan off the ground- but how?
Stay Tuned to find out...
First, you have to secure your motivation. There has to be something driving your actions and causing you to persevere when things get tough- and they will! In order to do this you have to find out what motivates you as an individual. What are you passionate about? What energizes you into action? Be sure to know that there is no right or wrong motivation- well being motivated by greed or the exploitation of others would be wrong- but you get the idea. You have to be in touch with who you are and what you are capable of.
As part of your personal evaluation ask yourself these questions:
Do I want to do this? (whatever "this" may be)
Do I have a specific purpose/goal?
Am I realistic about my capabilities?
Am I prepared for the long haul?
Can I motivate others and take the lead?
Can I make decisions that will affect other people?
Am I flexible enough to learn from my mistakes?
Am I easily discouraged?
Am I determined and prepared to keep going when things get tough?
Once you have confidentally answered all of those questions, you can focus on a mission statement that will be the starting point for your particular idea. At this point your "voice" is at its infancy. It's alive but it's small and fragile; and in order to grow it will require nurturing and development.
The next step in the development process would be preparation. By this stage you should have fully analyzed your motivation and established your mission. Now you have to prepare an idea that will work to satisfy that mission. Keep in mind that not every idea will be a successful one, frankly only a handful will be nurtured into something worthwhile. As you generate ideas, write them down. bounce the ideas off your peers or partners. Regardless of the method of generating the idea, once a viable idea has been captured a plan has to be established to bring the idea from infancy into adulthood.
So, you have a mission and an idea to execute it. Now, you have to create a detailed plan to execute it. Planning will ensure that your idea is brought into reality. It helps you move away from the theoretical framework of your idea and allows you to focus on the impact your idea will have on society. The plan should be laid out in a clear and concise manner, so that it can also be presented to community leaders, investors, donors or other stakeholders for support of your aims.
A good plan should have the following elements:
1. An Executive Summary - this is an overview of your full plan. It helps explain the ful concept before you explain it in detail within the plan.
2. The Problem- What is the problem? What causes the problem? and why is solving this problem improtant?
3. Vision and Mission- what is the future of your idea? What change in the world would you like to see?
4. Solution- What is your solution? What population will you be serving? How are the outcomes of your actions going to ultimately lead to your overall mission.
5. The Team- Who will you need to help execute this mission? What are your advisory needs? Who will be your core staff?
6. Target Market- Give details on the target group or cause of your idea.
7. Competition- who is providing similar services?
8. Financial Plan- Create a start-up budget; include fundraising efforts, grants, donors; revenue-expense projections, cash flow projections.
9. Implementation- Document how your thoughts and plans are going to be brought into action.
OK, now that the plan has been established what to do next? Right now, your idea is in its toddler phase. It's in motion, but it still pretty shaky and definitely not self sufficient. Now you have to get your plan off the ground- but how?
Stay Tuned to find out...
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