The Elite Performer: Interpret and Invest in Your Ideas

Like they say, everything in life starts with an idea. Ideas are defined and construed as mental representational images of some object. They can also be abstract concepts that do not present as mental images. The capacity to create and understand the meaning of ideas is considered to be an essential and defining feature of human beings. That brings up a good point. “The capacity to create and understand the meaning of an idea.” I believe many of us as humans certainly have the capacity to create an idea, but do we all truly focus on understanding what our ideas actually mean? Or better yet, do we actually act on and take advantage of our good ideas? Another definition for an idea is a thought or suggestion as to a possible course of action. The word that stands out to me is “possible.” Certainly fear or doubt can get in the way of a good idea, especially if it creates a vision that may seem impossible. Marketing and business-building ideas come to mind as it pertains to our industry and any entrepreneur or small business owner. One good or unique idea, if acted upon, could make your year. One great idea, if acted on, could make your career. The biggest road block in acting on an idea is created by the same brain that produced the idea in the first place. So next time you have an idea, or begin forming an idea, write it down. Build on that idea and any additional thoughts that are triggered by daily activities or experiences. Some studies done by UCLA claim that we have 48 thoughts per minute, which equates to the average person having 70,000 thoughts per day. That amount divided by 24 hours and then by 60 minutes per hour, results in 48.61 thoughts per minute. How much time do you spend paying attention to your thoughts? How many of those thoughts could make you a fortune? You’ll never know until you start paying attention, writing them down, and acting on good ideas. Andy W. Harris, CRMS is president and owner of Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Vantage Mortgage Group Inc. and 2010-2011 president of the Oregon Association of Mortgage Professionals. He may be reached by phone at (877) 496-0431, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.vantagemortgagegroup.com.