My 3-Step Process for Making Things Happen and Boosting Productivity in Business

In the world of business, ideas are a dime a dozen.

What sets successful (i.e. profitable) entrepreneurs apart is their ability to turn those ideas into reality.

As someone who has failed many times before and navigated the tumultuous waters of turning visions into tangible results, I’ve developed a 3-step process that has been pivotal in making things happen and staying productive.

So in this blog post, I would like to share my personal experiences and the strategies that have brought me success with you.

FYI — the execution system that I use to make consistent $10k month working less than 6 hours a week is launching soon, and you can get insider early bird discount code by signing up for a 19 mins intro video (10 mins if you play at 2x speed LOL)

Part 1: The Spark of an Idea

Every great venture begins with an idea, a spark that ignites the potential for something more.

I remember the moment I scribbled down the concept for my business on a napkin during a coffee meeting. It was a rush of excitement, but also a wave of doubt — could I turn this into something real?

The birth of an idea is often accompanied by a whirlwind of emotions, from exhilaration to fear of failure.

I felt a mix of euphoria and anxiety. The idea was there, but the path forward was unclear, and the fear of the unknown was daunting.

Part 2: the 3 Steps to make it happen

Step 1 — Clarify and Commit

The first step in my process is to clarify the vision and make a commitment to it. It’s also the first step of my execution system.

I took that initial idea and spent time fleshing it out, defining what success looked like, and setting clear vision.

I know many people would set SMART goals — but I really don’t like it (I share more about why in my IG story, IG @simplifiedbusinesscoach if you’re interested)

So in this article, I will share 3 alternative approaches to the SMART framework that can help you craft emotionally resonant goals and vision statements:

1. HEROIC Goals:

• Heartfelt: Goals that are deeply meaningful and come from the heart.
• Exciting: Goals that excite you and give you a sense of anticipation.
• Realistic: Goals that are grounded in reality but still push you to grow.
• Optimal: Goals that represent the best possible outcome.
• Inspiring: Goals that inspire you and others around you.

An example for this would be:

• Heartfelt: “I want to create a community garden to bring people together and foster a sense of belonging.”
• Exciting: “I aim to run a marathon next year, pushing my physical limits and experiencing the thrill of achievement.”
• Realistic: “I will save 20% of my income each month, a challenging but achievable goal for financial stability.”
• Optimal: “My vision is to lead a team that revolutionizes our industry with innovative solutions.”
• Inspiring: “I aspire to write a book that inspires others to overcome adversity and find their purpose.”

WOOP Thinking:

• Wish: Identify your heartfelt wish or goal.
• Outcome: Imagine the best possible outcome of achieving your goal.
• Obstacle: Recognize the obstacles that stand in the way.
• Plan: Create a plan to overcome these obstacles.

An example for this would be:

• Wish: “I wish to become a public speaker.”
• Outcome: “I envision the feeling of empowerment and the positive impact I have on my audience.”
• Obstacle: “I might feel stage fright and lack confidence.”
• Plan: “I will join a local Toastmasters club to practice and gain experience.”

Narrative Goals:

• Craft your goals as part of a larger narrative or story. This can help you see how each goal contributes to a bigger picture and can be more emotionally engaging.

I turned my prioritized goals into narrative goals. For example, instead of a vague goal to increase sales, I set a specific target of increasing sales by 50% in the next six months without working more hours (or even work less hours) and feeling at ease.

Committing to an idea means facing the fears of failure head-on and embracing the journey.

I had to confront my fears of failure and the doubts that crept in. Making that commitment was a turning point, a declaration that I was all in.

Step 2 — Plan and Prioritize

A well-structured plan is the roadmap that guides the journey from idea to reality.

After setting the vision, I developed a detailed plan, breaking down the larger goal into smaller, manageable tasks, and setting deadlines for each milestone.

Knowing what to focus on is crucial. Prioritization helps in allocating resources and time effectively with the help of my execution system.

Prioritization is about identifying what’s most important and focusing on those tasks first. It helps you make the best use of your time and energy, ensuring that your work aligns with your goals

Working smarter means being strategic with your time. It’s about setting clear priorities, understanding the difference between urgent and important, and avoiding the trap of ‘busy work.

There were moments of overwhelm, but prioritizing tasks brought a sense of control and direction to my efforts.

One of the principles that I have shared before is the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 Rule, or the Pareto Principle, which states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Identifying that top 20% is key to prioritization.

My execution system is built around these principles. It starts with clear goals, identifies the most impactful tasks, and creates a plan that focuses on what matters most.

I use a Notion template (included in my execution system) that I’ve created to plan all the strategic tasks that I need to focus on on a given day / week. It’s clear and easy — gives me lots of security and clarity.

My journey from a scattered approach to a prioritized one has been transformative. I’ve seen greater results with less effort, and I’ve found a sense of peace in knowing I’m working on what truly counts.

Step 3 — Execute with Intent

Execution is the heartbeat of making anything happen.

It’s where the rubber meets the road, and ideas become action.

I remember the first steps of execution, which felt small but significant. Each action, no matter how minor, brought me closer to my goal.

Executing with intent means taking deliberate, purposeful actions that are in service of your vision. It’s not just about doing tasks; it’s about doing the right tasks for the right reasons.

Start by aligning your daily actions with your long-term vision. Ask yourself, ‘Does this task bring me closer to my vision?’ If not, it might be time to reconsider.

Prioritize your actions based on their impact on your objectives. Focus on the high-impact tasks that will get you closer to your vision faster.

Measure your progress regularly. This will help you see how each step is contributing to your vision and allow you to adjust your actions as needed.

Reflect on your actions and adjust your approach. If something isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change course. Stay flexible and responsive to what’s working and what’s not.

The ability to adjust and adapt is vital. Not every step will go as planned, and that’s okay.

There were setbacks and obstacles, but with each one, I learned to be resilient, to adapt, and to keep moving forward.

Executing with intent has transformed my business. I’ve seen my efforts become more focused and effective, and I’m making real progress towards my vision.

Building a support system was crucial. It helps me to manage emotional fluctuations and provide more certainty during challenging times.

In conclusion, making things happen and being productive in business is a deeply personal and emotional journey that involves three key steps: clarifying and committing to your vision, planning and prioritizing your tasks, and executing with intent.

By sharing my story and approach, I hope to inspire you to take your ideas and turn them into reality, one step at a time.

Enjoy the journey!~