THIS COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT THING YOU DO TODAY.
Author, podcaster, and entrepreneur James Altucher is known for suggesting that people write 10 ideas everyday to “exercise the idea muscle.” Could this strategy also help our organizations and careers?
When trying to make a decision quickly — as we often need to do — it’s easy for us to stick with the first idea that comes to mind. Or, settle for an idea or strategy that follows conventional wisdom. Or, and perhaps most dangerously, fall back on the safest idea, the one absent objections and that aligns with current thoughts on a subject. But, to be bold and successful requires finding your unique voice, your unique program offerings, your unique funding models, your unique market position. Both your work and organization need your unique ideas.
How Do You Exercise Your IDea Muscle?
Challenge yourself to choose one element of your organization, or something more personal, such as your career path, and start today by writing 10 ideas on that specific topic.
Dare yourself to think in new ways. Be comfortable knowing that you may have a few ideas that seem silly or unworkable, and write them anyway. Leave behind the status quo. Release any notions of perfectionism. Arrive at ideas only you could develop — you know your work, you know your industry, and you bring personal and distinctive experiences to your position. All of these elements combine to give you insight that only you hold.
At a loss for a topic for today? Here are some ideas to jump-start your idea muscle exercise:
- 10 social media posts
- 10 sources of funding for your program
- 10 next steps in career networking
- 10 ways to organize your resume
- 10 ways to sign-off or close an email other than “sincerely”
- 10 people to thank today
- 10 ways to ask new donors for a $25 gift
- 10 sponsorship opportunities at your organization
- 10 former colleagues or mentors with whom to reconnect
- 10 ways to thank someone for a gift to your organization
- 10 new slogans for your organization
- 10 reasons why you love your job
To get even more out of this exercise, share your list with a trusted colleague or mentor and begin a discussion. Or, share them with us — we love to talk through interesting ideas!