Have you ever had a great idea and then wondered why you have procrastinated over taking action?

Have you become so overwhelmed as you think to yourself “HOW am I ever going to achieve this?” and “Where do I even start?” that you end up never actually doing anything?

If this describes an experience of yours, I have a secret for you… ready?

You are asking the wrong questions! In Wealth Dynamics, we would say that you are going the wrong direction!

Recently I was coaching someone around an idea for a new business. This lady had never done anything like it before, but it was certainly an area she was passionate about and qualified in. But she was about to give up before she had even begun! It just seemed so hard!

So, I gave her the following exercise (and encourage you to do the same. Get out a pen and a piece of paper and bring to mind an idea you have or a problem you are trying to solve):

Step 1: Draw a square on the page in front of you. Above the top line of the square, write WHAT.

The first step is to get really clear on what it is you are trying to achieve, or what it is that seems to be the problem you are wanting to solve. The more clear your “what” is, the easier this process will be.

Step 2: On the right-hand side of the square, write the word WHO. Draw an arrow, going from the What, to the Who.

Who has done something like this before? Who has resolved a similar problem? Who do you know that has expertise in this area who might be willing to help you out? Who is your target market? Who do you know already that is in, or working with, this target market? Get the picture?

Come up with as many relevant “who” type questions as you can and answer them! Brainstorm until you feel there is nothing left, and then brainstorm some more!

Only when you have worked on the who, should you move onto the third step.

Step 3: Below the bottom line of the square, write the words WHEN and WHERE. Draw an arrow from Who, to When and Where.

This step is all about location and timing. When I think about what it is I want to create, and based on all the information I have gained from speaking with people about it, now it’s time to ask myself “when and where should this thing take place?” When would be the best time to take action? Is one location going to be better than another? Where might I find my answer/target market etc?

Once you have answered all of these questions, the last step becomes the easiest…

Step 4: On the left-hand side of the square, write the word HOW. Draw an arrow from When/Where to How.

Now, it is time to work out the finer details about How you are going to make your idea a reality. Can you see how much easier it is to answer the “how” questions now that you have been through the other steps?

The How is generally all about logistics and systems. How will it work? What systems will we need to put in place to support our idea?

Of course, you will notice that everything in life occurs in cycles, and this is no different. It is likely that once you have answered some of the How questions you will find yourself coming up with more What type of questions. You may have found at any point along the path that you needed to return to the What and start the process again. We often find cycles within a cycle.

So, go ahead now and draw a final arrow from the How, back to the What.

The biggest thing of all to consider though, is the word that goes in the centre of the square.

BONUS STEP: Write the word WHY in the centre of the square

Unless you are really clear on Why you are doing this thing in the first place, you will struggle to find motivation. When our Why is clear, motivation is easy. Taking action seems like the next logical step. What is the outcome you are really seeking? Why is doing this thing so important to you? What is your longer term goal? How does this idea contribute to your “grand plan”?

Have fun with this exercise and apply it to every idea, problem and question you have and see its magic unfold! ENJOY!

Your Wealth will have to do more with what you say no to than what you say yes to.  One of the great things Wealth Dynamics provides us with is clarity on just what we should be saying no to.

The Wealth Dynamics Spectrum has been great for me to get clarity on what books I should be saying no to. Whilst biographies on Gandhi are absolutely inspiring, the practical writings of Tim Ferriss in The 4 Hour Work Week are going to serve me better in the short term.

It may also explain why once I got past the early days of Rockefeller’s biography it was a REAL struggle to keep going (I’m determined to finish it…. one day…). Maybe the level he is now playing at is beyond what I am ready to connect with right now.

As you move up the through the various levels of the Spectrum, you are better off connecting with those Wealth Creators who are certainly just 1 level above and possibly 2. Any more and you could find yourself falling down a level or two. Conversely, someone on your team who might be several levels below the rest of the team, could drag the whole team down.

So have a look at those books which have been easy for you to read and those where you have struggled. Does the level of the game you’re playing (the Wealth Spectrum) provide some insights?

Let’s also not overlook that they could also not have been the rights books for your Wealth Dynamics Profile… but that’s a whole other post….

Have fun. Make magic.