{Print from blue bicicletta on Etsy}
Have you ever felt like you have too many business ideas? Do you wonder if you should spend time on Twitter or Facebook—or both? Do you spend hours thinking about ways to fix your business problems?
What would happen if you stopped doing all the stuff that didn’t work and focused on the stuff that does work? What if you had a simple way to make business decisions?
According to Jim Collins in Good to Great, great companies spend just as much time figuring out what they should not do and stop doing as they do figuring out what they should be doing.
The Creative Entrepreneur’s Dilemma
One of the biggest dilemmas I see creative entrepreneurs struggle with is the “too many ideas syndrome.” I constantly have new ideas, and so do all other creative entrepreneurs. So, if everyone has great ideas, why do some makers succeed and some fail?
First, the successes are extremely smart about the ideas they put into action. Second, they actually put those ideas into action.
You can come up with out-freaking-standing ideas, but if you don’t follow through and put in the hard work to make them happen, you’ve got nothing.
The Simple Solution
I’ve got a simple solution for you. You need to have 1-3 business goals. These can range from doubling your sales within 6 months to launching a new jewelry line. When choosing your business goals, push yourself but be realistic.
Write those goals down on a chalkboard, whiteboard, or on a poster. Make sure they’re visible in your office, art studio, or craft space.
Each time you have a new idea, ask yourself, “Will this help me get closer to reaching my goals or will this take me further away from my goals?” The answer to this question will be your answer on whether you should put that idea into action.
You might not always know the answer, because you can’t see the future. You don’t know if improving your pictures will help you double your sales in 6 months—but you can take an educated guess that it will.
Once you reach your goals, add new ones and work toward those.
Stop Doing What Doesn’t Work
Do you get caught up trying to figure out why something doesn’t work?
I used to spend more time trying to fix the things that didn’t work than I spent on the things that worked. After I realized I was doing this and changed, my business changed.
If you add a knitting pattern to your shop and it doesn’t sell, spend some time making sure that you’re targeting the right market and marketing it well. But, if still doesn’t sell, stop spending so much time on it. Spend time on the handmade scarves that you can’t keep in stock, because they sell out.
I’m not saying you should give up on something right away. For instance, marketing your products on your blog takes time. You have to build up a readership and give your readers time to get to know, like, and trust you before you’ll see an increase in sales. But, in my opinion, it’s well worth the investment of time.
But, if something really isn’t working, stop. Put your energy towards something that does work.
Do More of What Works
This might seem obvious—but I think it’s easy to fall into the trap of, “Okay, that worked. Now what?” For instance, you might write a blog post that gets lots of comments, gets linked to by other bloggers, and sparks a lot of interest. Instead of saying, “That was great. Now, what should I write about?” ask, “What made this blog post so popular? And, how can I repeat that?”
If your line of new earrings sells really well, make more. If you use different product descriptions for similar products, try to figure out which one works the best and use it for all of your products. If you notice that the products that include a picture of your packaging sell over your products without those pictures, add the picture to all of your products.
Another great book. I found it fascinating that the great leaders thought of others and were not so egotistical.
I really wish my local school district would read this post. They have four fabulous schools that shine brightly and seem to not know how to copy what works for the others–I think a kick-butt letter is in the works:)
Seriously, my husband says that I have that syndrome with too many ideas. I like the idea of posting my goals and then reflecting if what I am doing will help me reach those goals.
Write that kick-butt letter!!!
Deciding whether my ideas align with my goals has definitely helped me say “no” to things that just weren’t right 🙂
How it’s true April! Focusing on what doesn’t work instead of what works seems to be “a classic”, we all do. It seems silly and, rationally, also a big lost of time and energy – when I see that things don’t get better, I feel so frustrated and this slow down all the rest.
Thanks for sharing this, it helps to keep it in mind!
Hey Irene! I know–logically, we should know that it’s a waste of time, but I know I spent A LOT of time trying to tweak things that didn’t work. When I stopped and focused on my strengths and what was working instead, I was happier–and I made lots more money 🙂
this reminds me a bit of seth godin’s “the dip”! i totally agree that quitting the things that don’t work is an art. i’m a bit stubborn with this sorts of things. it’s the first child in me, but i’m learning to finally let go of things that hold me back. and by quitting i just don’t mean a task but also a friendship (that is filled with negative energy) + a drug (like sugar + fast food lol that makes me happy only momentarily + then leaves me lazzy) + a job that doesn’t make me happy …
if only we learned faster 🙂 right?
Hi Mayi! “The Dip” is probably one of the only Seth Godin books I haven’t read. So, it’s super funny that you say this post reminds you of it–I’m gonna have to check it out.
Yes, learning faster would definitely be nice 🙂 but I’m finally learning to recognize when to let go and when to go full throttle a lot sooner than I used to.
This is really something I struggle with. My mind is all over the place with great new ideas. It’s sticking with the idea and seeing it to the end that I struggle with. I like the idea of having goals and asking if this new idea brings me closer to that goal or not. Thanks so much for this.
Hey Michelle! I definitely understand the “sticking with the idea and seeing it to the end” problem. It always seems like it’s that last 10% that’s hard for me.
My tip for finishing things through: I think about my goal, and imagine what it will feel like when I’ve reached it. Whenever, I’m struggling for motivation, I go back to that and try connect with that feeling. For instance, when my goal was to leave my day job, I asked myself, “What will be the first indication that things have changed when I wake up in the mornings?” And, I knew instead of feeling anxious, I’d feel excited. Every time I stayed up late working and wanted to just go to bed, I thought about waking up excited every morning and it got me through.
My sentiments exactly! I love this post and couldn’t agree more.
I let go of many of the ideas I had when first starting my biz because they just weren’t going to get me to where I want to go.
Just last week I was struggling to finish a project and The Dip came to mind (it’s a must read!). I realized I was just going through a dip and that the project would get me closer to reaching my goals. This gave me the energy to persist. Once I ditched the software that wasn’t working for me and bought some new software, I was able to finish my project on schedule.
Thanks for sharing that Lisa–and congrats on finishing the project. I’ll definitely have to check out The Dip!
Yes, yes, YES! This is a good message for me today. 😉 A great reminder to focus on those things that are really working for me and stop worrying about the rest.
I’m also trying to get in the habit of writing my ideas down, so that I have them if I choose to go back and pick them up again, but they are not taking up space in my head anymore. 🙂
Love this tip Jess!
It’s easier to let go of an idea “for now” if there’s that possibility that you can come back to it. I write down a lot of my writing ideas–but I should definitely make it a habit to write other ideas and come back to them.
I have the problem with too many ideas, and I’m always looking for new ways to reach more people. I have to write down my three goals and stick with them! Good advice! {:-D
Yes, I have too many business ideas! I’m working on this. Great advice, thanks!
April, you totally hit the nail on the head. I’m the epitome of too many ideas syndrome, and I definitely need to simplify!
Three goals. Genius! You were writing about me when you described the creative entrepeneur with too many ideas??? Yikes, I could see myself all over that one. I have lists on my lists of ideas, then get bogged down in what to do with them. Goal #1, get rid of all those lists! This is truly inspired. Thank you so much for sharing this wisdom. So looking forward to more ideas and Etsy workshops. Have a lovely weekend. Hope you were able to fly!