15 Powerful Tips to Focus, Take Action and Invent Something New

by Tess

PicMonkey inventors

We’re all inventors. We all have the power to create something bold, something new. We can choose to create something amazing, joyful and beautiful. We can birth something that will bring meaning into the world and enhance the lives of everyone. 

Yes, we have that much power. We are inventors. 

I’ve recently been inspired by my friend Jodi Chapman to create a new habit. In May I’m going to begin each weekday with 90 minutes of writing. I’m crazy excited about the idea. 

I’ve also fallen in love with video making. It’s a wonderful way to have fun, share, and connect with others on a deeper and more personal level. 

I challenge you to create something new. Invent for yourself and invent for others. Make your inventions inspiring, wild and creative. Make them simple, helpful and available. 

The sky’s the limit for our inventions. 

Don't allow your doubts, fears and failure stop you from taking action. If you don’t know where to begin or if you’ve been struck by inertia, help is available. 

The following tips are designed to help you take action and invent something new.

That is what we are supposed to do when we are at our best—make it all up—but make it up so truly that later it will happen that way. ~ Ernest Hemingway

1. Choose a project. What is one thing that would change your life? Make it something that lights your fire and keeps you awake at night. Make it useful and bold. This is your baby!

Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines. ~ Brian Tracy

2. Set a goal and make a plan. Create a vision. Define the end result. Make a plan. You need to know how you will do it, what it will take and the deadline that you’re aiming for. 

No dream can come true until you wake up and go to work. ~ Anonymous

3. Create action steps.  Working from your plan, write down actionable steps in chronological order. It’s essential that the steps are clear and you know exactly what needs to happen.

Fear is a great inventor.  ~ Proverb

4. Flip the switch on your fears. Write down the fears that you have around this project. Use your personal power to shift your perception about each fear.  Decide how you can turn each fear into a motiving action.

A mantra can make the impossible possible. ~ Dr. Gautam Chatterjee

5. Create a mantra. Guy Kawasaki suggests we choose a 2-3 word mantra. Put it in your phone. Write it on a sticky note. Repeat it throughout the day. My mantra’s are “writing 90/5” and “videos are me.”

We were always dreaming of how it was going to be. ~ George Lucas 

6. Tell others.  Tell trustworthy family and friends about your dream. Ask for support.  Build an excitement and energy around it. Make it so amazing that they want to line up to help you.

The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.  ~ Abraham Maslow

7. Be single focused.  Do one thing at a time. If you want to write, write. If you want to read, read. If you want to study, study.  If you need to research, research. Give your full attention to the task at hand.

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined. ~ Henry David Thoreau

8. Ignore the unimportant stuff. Don’t spend time playing games or watching mindless TV or videos. Don’t be distracted by constantly checking social media or email. You choose how to spend your time. Make everything count.

I use my mind to solve problems and invent things. ~ Temple Grandin

9. Focus on the positive. Make a mental movie of your desired result. Imagine yourself in the scene. Create a feeling of success and add it to the movie.  Dwell on the scene and feelings for a few minutes. Do this anytime you find yourself in a negative state.

 If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.  ~ Thomas Edison

10. Clear your head. Still stuck? Change your energy. Go for a short walk or run. Listen to music. Meditate or write in your journal. Then get back to work.

The world is moving so fast these days that the man who says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it. ~Elbert Hubbard

11. Track your success. Keep a daily action log. Use it to see what’s working and what’s not. At the end of every week, reward yourself for your progress.

Results? Why, man, I have gotten lost of results! If I find 10,000 ways something won’t work, I haven’t failed. I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is often a step forward.  ~ Thomas Edison

12. Plan to fail. Perfection isn’t an option. Failure is an opportunity to learn and grow. Once you reframe failure, you’re free to begin again.

I invented adventures for myself and made up a life, so as at least to live in some way. ~ Fyodor Dostoyevsky 

13. Be you. Don’t chase fame. Don’t try to be someone else. Allow your uniqueness to shine. Celebrate who you are. Put your own spin on your creations. Be true to yourself.

We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down. ~ Kurt Vonnegut

14. Believe.  Is your faith in, “I can” or “I can’t?” Drop your disbelief and continue to move forward. Put your energy into expecting the best. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should anybody else?

I'm going to enjoy every second, and I'm going to know I'm enjoying it while I'm enjoying it. Most people don't live; they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and worn out, and it doesn't make any difference whether they've reached the goal or not. ~ Jean Webster

15. Enjoy the journey. Success is found in the journey not the destination. Choose to feel good and do good every day. Appreciate the here and now. Count your blessings. Help others get what they want. It’s not all about you. It never was.

What are you inventing these days? Please share your thoughts below.

Please consider sharing the inspiration on Facebook and Twitter! I appreciate your support. 

     

    Are you ready to commit to your dreams?

    Tess Marshall

    You can go beyond what you think is possible! The time is now to increase your confidence and blaze a new trail. If you are ready to do great things then book your free 20-minute consult with me and let’s talk about your personal plan for greatness! Click on my coaching page.

    { 17 comments… read them below or add one }

    Elle April 16, 2013 at 1:22 pm

    I think ‘be single focused’ was written specifically for me Tess. And this is part of my re-invention journey. As I’m slowly changing concepts of myself I’ve held for a long time wonderful things are appearing. Of course they were already there…but from the perspective I held, I couldn’t see them.

    Love your tips…you’re the best ‘tipper’ I know.

    Love Elle
    xoxo
    Elle´s last post…Help: My Friends And Family Aren’t Supporting My Growth.

    Reply

    Tess April 16, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    Elle,

    You are simply amazing! I’ll be single focusing as well. I understand how we block our own view. It all happens when we’re ready. xo

    Reply

    Suzie Cheel April 16, 2013 at 10:57 pm

    Hi Tess,
    Sounds like me to Elle- single focused has not been a strength. it is something I do need to get my book written I am committed to 750 or more words a day. love the mantra idea .
    Tracking success is so important and i start the month well doing that and then fall off the wagon, maybe I could use success is me to remind myself
    Great post Tess will share as there are great tips and love the quotes
    love Suzie xx
    ps did you see BEach inspirations: Be Bold?
    Suzie Cheel´s last post…BEach Inspiration: Be Dreaming

    Reply

    Tess April 17, 2013 at 11:47 am

    Suzie,
    What a great commitment 750 words a day! I love “success is me!” Let me know how it goes! Coming to see the beach inspirations. xo

    Reply

    Suzie Cheel April 17, 2013 at 1:10 pm

    Tess,
    There is a great site 750words.com that currently is free. Great way to track you fault writing.
    Suzie Cheel´s last post…BEach Inspiration: Be Clear

    Reply

    Halina Goldstein April 17, 2013 at 6:31 am

    Tess, this post feels like Spring! :-)

    It reminds me of my mother who was a bright and art-loving woman with almost no education. When her soul-mate and my father passed away I didn’t think she would survive it emotionally. Well, she did. And much more than that. In fact, at some point of her journey alone she invented something completely new for herself: she started painting. Now here’s the thing: She wasn’t what you would call a talented painter. But she loved art, she loved the learning process, she loved painting in her own way. And you know, when I look at her simple art today I see her love of life literally beaming from the paper. And that reminds me: When we find or choose a project and dedicate ourselves to it, all the energy and the love that we invest into it starts shining back on us and makes our lives so much brighter and more joyful. That’s the ultimate success, isn’t it… :-)

    Reply

    Tess April 17, 2013 at 11:48 am

    Holy smokes what a beautiful story! I love this about your mom and her paintings. What an inspiration. Thank you for sharing. Yes that’s the ultimate success:)))

    Reply

    Glynis Jolly April 17, 2013 at 8:11 am

    Although I’ve read some of your tips at other blogs, I like the wording you use, very common sense in style.
    Glynis Jolly´s last post…How to Put Off Growing Up

    Reply

    Tess April 17, 2013 at 11:49 am

    Glynis,
    Thanks so much for the wonderful compliment and support. Blessings to you.

    Reply

    Cathy Taughinbaugh April 17, 2013 at 12:26 pm

    Hi Tess,

    Love this list of suggestions. They are all great, but – Create action steps and the mantra are two that resonate with me. I love your writing idea for May. I’m starting with 30 minutes a day. For me what has been working is writing first thing in the morning, otherwise it is so easy to get distracted. 90 minutes sounds good – I’m going to work up to that!
    Cathy Taughinbaugh´s last post…ROCKSTAR SUPERSTAR PROJECT: Be the Super Star of Your Life

    Reply

    Betsy/Zen Mama April 18, 2013 at 2:34 am

    Great Advice Tess! I have a few things to accomplish over the summer, two in particular. I’m going to follow your tips! Right now I’m at #3 with both projects. I’ll start in the morning! Love your quotes, too!
    Betsy/Zen Mama´s last post…Epictetus and the Art of Living

    Reply

    Diana April 18, 2013 at 4:07 am

    Hi Tess, I loved all the suggestions and couldn’t put it any other way, i didn’t think I had a mantra until reading this but I have! my mantra is “its not about the money” this helps keep me focused on what truly important. Loved the wisdom & a great collection of quotes too :)
    Diana´s last post…How to End The Search For Your True Authentic Self

    Reply

    Elle April 19, 2013 at 10:21 am

    Hi Tess, I am so glad I came across your blog.

    This is a great post. I think there are a lot of individuals out there who get distracted or discouraged, but you have made some great tips that everyone should read!

    I think planning to fail (#12) and enjoying the journey (#15) are the ones that made the most impact on me.

    I personally know a lot of people who have given up too early because of failures, but I think failure is part of the journey itself.

    I think it’s important to continue to pursue new things because “only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
    - T.S. Eliot
    Elle´s last post…Bulimia Recovery Tips, by Pauline Hanuise. A True Story of Hope and Inspiration

    Reply

    Galen Pearl April 20, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Your point about planning to fail reminded me of a slogan we use in martial arts — Invest in loss. If I am not attached to “winning” I can be more attentive to learning.

    I love how your excitement about your new writing project is shining through your words. I know already it is going to be great for you!
    Galen Pearl´s last post…Tapping of the Heart

    Reply

    Jodi Chapman April 20, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    Yay! I am so excited about your new daily habit, and I can’t wait to read all of the amazing writing that comes from it. XOXO
    Jodi Chapman´s last post…Soulful Shout Out – Introducing Kris Oster from Mythic Rhythm!

    Reply

    Shawn April 21, 2013 at 9:43 pm

    Plan to fail… This isn’t something you read often on blogs like this, but I think it is great advice! As long as you look at failure as a challenge and an opportunity to improve, you can’t go wrong. Thanks for the post, these are great and simple tips to getting anything worth doing done.
    Shawn´s last post…Neuro Programmer 3 Activation Key

    Reply

    Simon April 24, 2013 at 4:44 am

    90 minutes of writing to start every weekday sounds like a great habit to me. In fact, doing 90 minutes of anything empowering consistently every weekday is probably going to be life-changing just by itself :)

    Reply

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