| p>During our recent vacation to Park City, Utah, | | | | said, "The beginning is the most important part." |
| one morning I was enjoying my coffee while | | | | Getting a new idea "off the ground" is exciting. |
| overlooking a peaceful pond, and was surprised by | | | | The beginning is a time of creativity and designing |
| several hot air balloons making their way high up | | | | your product or service that is unique to you. It's |
| into the sky. The colors of each balloon were | | | | important to realize the amount of effort it takes |
| bright, vivid, and unique. Some were like rainbows; | | | | to realize your own unique Big Idea, dream, or |
| others were bright red or yellow. They rose to | | | | goal. It requires a lot of energy and commitment. |
| varying heights in the sky, each one navigating | | | | Here are a few solutions that can help you get it |
| their own unique path around the valley. This got | | | | "off the ground" much easier. |
| me thinking about how Smart Women's Big Ideas, | | | | Develop the right mindset. Remember: Mindset |
| dreams and goals are a lot like hot air balloons. | | | | first, details later. Make a commitment to yourself |
| We all have Big Ideas, dreams, and goals that we | | | | that this is important for you and that you are |
| would like to manifest and share with the world. | | | | going to manifest this dream. It's essential that |
| Our dreams and ideas are unique to us and come | | | | you share your commitment with the most |
| with our own creative thoughts. Whether it's a | | | | important people in your life so that you can gain |
| product, service, or book we've written, | | | | their support. Take some time to write out a |
| sometimes when we attempt our initial launch at | | | | detailed plan of everything that needs to be done |
| getting our Big Idea "off the ground", we become | | | | to make this dream happen. As you look at the |
| "stuck" or realize that it's not happening as quickly | | | | list, decide where you will need the expertise and |
| as we would like. We feel anxious and frustrated | | | | support from others. You cannot do it all by |
| with the seemingly slow process. | | | | yourself. The key to a successful outcome is to |
| I happened to meet one of the owners of the | | | | have people around you who are excited about |
| hot air balloon company in Park City and was | | | | your dream and have the expertise you need to |
| surprised at what's involved in a successful flight. | | | | make it happen. I have two smart women who |
| In order to take that glorious, colorful ride, the | | | | are a great support system for me. They work |
| majority of work goes on before anyone arrives | | | | on the technical side of my business. Not only are |
| to get inside the bucket of the balloon. Teams of | | | | they experts in what they do, they are |
| two or more people work together to make sure | | | | enthusiastic about my mission and purpose in my |
| everything is ready for a safe and enjoyable | | | | work with women. |
| flight. 50% of the energy source -- the heat that | | | | I invite you to begin thinking about your Big Idea, |
| creates the air to get the balloon off the ground | | | | dream or goal and ask yourself these questions: |
| -- is used in the beginning. After the balloon gets | | | | "What will it take to get my Big Idea off the |
| off the ground and reaches its desired altitude, it's | | | | ground?" "How high do I want to go with it?" |
| smooth sailing. | | | | "Who can help me accomplish this goal?" And |
| How about you? What color is your dream? Have | | | | knowing that in the beginning, it will take more |
| you made a decision to get your Big Idea, dream | | | | than 50% of your time and energy to realize this |
| or goal "off the ground?" Have you started the | | | | Big Idea, take the steps to make it happen and |
| process of getting everything ready to fly your | | | | get the support you need. Keep me posted and |
| idea high into the sky where others can see it and | | | | let me know how it's going. I'll be looking for you |
| want to be a part of it either as a customer or a | | | | high in the sky. |
| support system? Plato, the Greek Philosopher | | | | |