Ever have too many ideas and wish you had time to do them all?
Maybe some are half-baked, while others are burning desires that have evolved over weeks, months, or even years. Maybe you’re ready to move forward with one, but then something shiny catches your eye and suddenly you have another idea.
How do you decide which project to move forward with?
Ever try to move multiple ideas forward at once? You’re not alone. Humans are curious and innovative beings, and when you’re also trying to run a business, it can be challenging to know where to focus your energy.
In addition to the plethora of ideas you may have for growing and improving your business, you also have client needs to tend to. And, of course, your time is limited!
I used to be fearful that if I didn’t at least write down an idea, it would disappear into the ether and be gone forever. Yet, over time, I’ve learned that good ideas never disappear. The strong ones will return. Sometimes, when they do, they’re actually ready to be freed from my mind while others move up on my priority list…
Prioritizing Projects Takes More Than Logic
Recently, a new client signed up for my Strategy & Support Partnership. In our first strategy session, we looked at all of the projects and ideas that were pulling at her attention.
After about 30 minutes of jotting down everything that was on her list, we paused for a moment and I began asking questions.
While she was answering, I paid attention to everything she said AND everything she didn’t say. This is one of the things I love about having a creative and strategic thought partner in the room.
AI can absolutely help you brainstorm, organize your thoughts, and create a list of pros and cons. But it isn’t sitting across the table from you noticing what happens when you talk about each option.
And often, that matters.
One of my client’s ideas checked a lot of boxes. It made sense on paper, so we dug into it: the timeline, the tasks involved, and how it would fit alongside the other projects on her plate.
But as she talked about it, I noticed something.
This particular project seemed to drain her.
Unlike when she talked about some of the other possibilities and her energy shifted. It was lighter, freer, and she smiled more.
I pointed it out, and she agreed.
That observation changed the conversation. Instead of automatically moving forward with the project that looked like the obvious choice, we were able to step back and consider whether it was actually the right project for her, her business, and this particular moment.
After our session, she shared how helpful it was to have someone else in the room paying attention to this. We were able to play it out on the whiteboard before she invested months of time and energy into something that ultimately didn’t feel aligned.
Phew!
My Simple Decision Guide for Choosing What Comes Next
So how do you know where to put your attention?
I like to look at two things: Does it make sense? And does it feel right?
First, look at the practical side.
Ask yourself:
- Does this project support an actual business goal?
- Is there a reason to do it now?
- Do I have the time and capacity to take it on?
- What would I have to postpone or let go of to make room for it?
These questions can help you separate the projects that are genuinely important from the ones that are simply interesting.
But logic isn’t the whole story.
Then, give it the YES! test.
Do you know that YES! feeling?
It’s not only in your mind. You can feel it in your body, too.
Next time you’re questioning whether or not to pursue a new project, take a minute to give it a gut check.
Imagine saying:
“I’m going to spend the next three months working on this.”
What happens?
- Do you feel energized? Curious? Relieved? Excited?
- Or do you feel a little heavier? Hesitant? Bored? Like you’re convincing yourself that this is what you should be doing?
That distinction can tell you a lot.
A big, enthusiastic YES! doesn’t necessarily mean you should drop everything and pursue the idea immediately. But it’s worth paying attention to. And a hesitant yes is worth investigating, too.
Sometimes that hesitation is telling you that the project needs to be adjusted. Sometimes the timing isn’t right. And sometimes it’s simply a “should” disguised as a good idea.
You Don’t Have to Do It All
This is where I think we solopreneurs can get ourselves into trouble.
There are so many things we could do to improve our businesses. A new website! A newsletter! Better systems! A new offer! A digital product! SEO! A course! A new marketing idea!
It’s easy to convince ourselves that we need to do all of them.
But we don’t.
We have limited time and energy. So wouldn’t you rather spend them on the things that are genuinely going to benefit your business and that you actually want to do?
You don’t need to figure out your entire business roadmap before you take the next step.
Sometimes you just need to figure out what deserves your attention right now.
And if you’re having trouble sorting through the ideas, the shoulds, and the possibilities on your own, that’s where a thoughtful, creative, and strategic partner can help.
I offer one-time Strategy Sessions if you need help getting unstuck, as well as ongoing Strategy & Support Partnerships if you’d like someone in your corner as you turn those ideas into action.