5 Things to Do When You Have Too Many Ideas and Never Finish Anything

5 Things to Do When You Have Too Many Ideas and Never Finish Anything

"I have too many ideas for a lifetime." - Taylor Wilson

At the end of the study period, the researchers gathered the data and plotted the results to answer the question: would more employees participate in retirement saving plans if more investment choices were made available to them? Surprisingly, the researchers discovered that adding more investment choices reduced the likelihood that employees would participate in retirement saving plans. This finding reminds me of the overwhelming number of ketchups in a supermarket. Just like having too many options can lead to decision paralysis, having too many ideas can hinder our ability to take action.

In fact, for those employees who chose to invest, adding more investment choices increased the chances that employees would invest in more conservative funds. This phenomenon can be applied to our own lives as well. The more ideas and goals we pursue, the less likely we'll follow through on any one of them. On the other hand, if we focus our attention on a select few ideas, we have a higher chance of bringing them to fruition.

So, what can we do when we find ourselves drowning in a sea of ideas? Here are five actionable steps to help us overcome this common challenge and start finishing what we start.

1. Create mini-deadlines: The more time it takes to complete a task, the greater the likelihood that we fall victim to 'Parkinson's Law,' which states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. To combat this, we should set mini-deadlines for ourselves. Breaking down our projects into smaller, manageable tasks with specific deadlines helps to keep us focused and accountable. By setting these deadlines, we create a sense of urgency and avoid getting lost in the never-ending cycle of ideation.

2. Use the 80/20 rule: The key is to experiment, discover, and focus your time and energy on the twenty percent of activities that yield the greatest returns. It's easy to get caught up in the excitement of new ideas and chase after every possibility. However, by applying the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, we can identify the few ideas or goals that have the most potential for success and prioritize them. This allows us to allocate our resources more effectively and increase our chances of achieving meaningful results.

3. Trust your gut: Malcolm Gladwell makes a strong case that often, snap judgments made within seconds lead to better decisions than a more cautious, thoroughly planned approach. When we have too many ideas swirling around in our heads, it can be overwhelming to analyze each one and weigh the pros and cons. Instead of getting caught up in analysis paralysis, we should trust our instincts and make quick decisions based on our gut feelings. This doesn't mean we should disregard careful consideration altogether, but rather that we should embrace the power of intuition and rely on it when faced with a multitude of ideas.

4. Develop the habit of finishing: The upside of quitting is that you redirect time and energy wasted on an unfruitful idea or goal towards another more rewarding venture. While it can be exciting to start new ideas and goals, if we don't finish what we start, valuable time and energy that can't be recovered will go to waste. To break the cycle of unfinished projects, we need to develop the habit of finishing. This means committing to seeing things through to completion, even when the initial enthusiasm fades or obstacles arise. By cultivating this habit, we build discipline and resilience, which are essential for long-term success.

By implementing these strategies, we can overcome the challenge of having too many ideas and never finishing anything. By setting mini-deadlines, prioritizing our efforts with the 80/20 rule, trusting our gut, and developing the habit of finishing, we can increase our productivity and bring our ideas to life.

Before concluding, here are three final pieces of advice to help you on your journey:

1. Embrace simplicity: Instead of constantly seeking new ideas, focus on simplifying and refining the ones you already have. By eliminating unnecessary complexities, you can streamline your efforts and increase your chances of success.

2. Seek feedback: Don't be afraid to share your ideas with others and seek their input. Feedback can provide valuable insights and help you refine your ideas further. Additionally, involving others in your creative process can foster collaboration and accountability.

3. Take breaks: Sometimes, having too many ideas can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. It's important to take breaks and give yourself time for rest and rejuvenation. Stepping away from your ideas for a while can bring fresh perspectives and renewed motivation.

In conclusion, having too many ideas can be both a blessing and a curse. While it's exciting to have a wealth of possibilities, it can also hinder our ability to take action and bring our ideas to fruition. By implementing strategies such as creating mini-deadlines, using the 80/20 rule, trusting our gut, and developing the habit of finishing, we can overcome this challenge and increase our productivity. Remember to embrace simplicity, seek feedback, and take breaks along the way. With these tools in hand, you can navigate the sea of ideas and turn them into tangible achievements.