Making Ideas Happen (Book Notes)

Posted on June 29, 2014 by dailyplanit

Why is it so hard to finish what we start? I don’t know about you, but I have an incomplete project or two around. The initial enthusiasm begins to fade as the work goes on and difficulties occur. Distractions crop up to take us off in different directions, and sometimes we never get back on course. The motivation that was so strong at the beginning is no longer enough. I was so pleased to find a book that explores this topic. Here are my notes inspired by reading the book “Making Ideas Happen” by Scott Belsky.

Getting ideas is usually not the problem. Actually acting on an idea to create something is the hard part. It’s especially challenging when working with creative teams. How this can be accomplished is the subject of the book “Making Ideas Happen,” by Scott Belsky, founder and CEO of the Behance Network, a leading platform for creative professionals.

START

Capture the idea. Choose ideas wisely. Evaluate the idea.

GET ORGANIZED

Set up a system to manage your projects. Learn more about the Action Method at 99u. Organize visually. Create a work space that allows shifting between creativity and productivity.

EXECUTE

Act with persistence. Focus. Have a follow-up system. Set a target date.

FINISH

Follow through to completion. Commit to shipping. Overcome resistance. Know when it is time to release.

Create COMMUNITY

Creative ideas are best served when people communicate and interact. Fresh perspectives add to the outcome. Request input on ideas and get feedback. Pitch your idea to others and market yourself.

Be a LEADER

Inspire others with your vision. Motivate yourself and others. Think like an entrepreneur. Encourage engagement with playfulness and recognition as rewards.

Watch Scott Belsky talk about making ideas happen in his TED Talk.

See Also

The Myth of Fast, Fun, and Easy by Michael Hyatt
What I’ve Learned about creating meaningful work from Paul Jarvis
10 Easy Ways to Start Something Great at Success Magazine
The 5 Cs of Completion from Productive Flourishing
Challenge Yourself! Daily PlanIt Post

About dailyplanit

I seek to create order from the chaos of complex information. Join me at the Daily PlanIt to gain insights, inspiration, and information to increase skills for a better life. I unlock the power of teaching reading with phonics in the pursuit of literacy at www.phonicspow.com. In my spare time I explore books and movies, often choosing titles available on both screen and page.