Turning Ideas into Action with Dates, Details, and Deadlines

As a business coach for the past 5 years, I’ve seen countless clients throw out ideas and grand plans, only to see them dissipate like water on a hot Arizona summer day.

You’ve probably heard the cliche thousands of times, “an idea without a plan is just a wish.”

But how do you actually take an idea as an entrepreneur and turn it into a clear and concise game plan that makes it as easy as possible for you to execute? That’s the million-dollar question.

And today, I’m going to provide you with the million-dollar answer.

Let’s dive into a game-changing coaching tool that can revolutionize the way you turn your business ideas into actionable plans.

I call it the Triple D Approach – Dates, Details, and Deadlines.

The Triple D Approach helps you transform your ideas into a clear and structured path to success.

Let’s break down the Triple D Approach step by step, with real-world examples to illustrate its incredible power.

Dates: Setting a Solid Foundation

The first ‘D’ stands for ‘Dates.’ Dates are the cornerstone of any action plan. They add a sense of urgency and structure to your goals. It’s why in our popular 90 Day Goal Setting Worksheet, there are very specific dates throughout the 90-day process.

Having action steps with specific dates beside them gives you extreme clarity and focus on what needs to be done and by when. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen entrepreneurs make is having “loose” and “open-ended” timelines on their goals.

Consider this scenario: you’re launching a new product line. Instead of simply saying, “I need to launch my new product,” you should specify the date by which you want to launch it.

For instance, “I will launch my new product line on March 1st, 2024.” By setting a date, you’ve created a tangible target to work towards. This simple act of defining a date propels you from vague aspirations to a concrete plan. You can now reverse engineer your actions, breaking down tasks to meet that launch date. Your progress becomes trackable and attainable.

Details: The Devil Is in the Details

Now, let’s delve into the second ‘D,’ which is ‘Details.’ Details are where the magic happens. Imagine you’ve set a launch date for your product line, but it’s still too broad. What’s missing are the nitty-gritty specifics that will guide you through each step of the process.

You need to identify every task, big or small, involved in the launch. This includes product design, manufacturing, marketing, and logistics. For example, instead of just “product design,” break it down further: “Create product sketches, choose materials, find suppliers, and create prototypes.”

The power of the details lies in the fact that they eliminate any confusion, excuses, or room for interpretation. You now have a comprehensive roadmap, making it crystal clear what you need to do to meet your launch date. Remember, the more detailed your plan, the easier it becomes to execute.

Deadlines: A Non-Negotiable Commitment

The final ‘D’ is ‘Deadlines.’ Deadlines are non-negotiable commitments. They are the backbone of accountability in the Triple D Approach. Without deadlines, you risk allowing your tasks to drift indefinitely, losing focus and momentum.

Let’s go back to your product launch. With a clear date and a detailed plan, you should attach deadlines to each task. For instance, “Create product sketches by December 15th, 2023.” This ensures that you stay on track and prevents procrastination.

A critical aspect of setting deadlines is to make sure you share these with your coach and accountability support system. You need to find those people you deeply don’t want to disappoint to ensure you’ve got the accountability to follow through on your deadlines.

Let’s apply the Triple D Approach to a real-world scenario.

Let’s say you want to launch a new group coaching program in 2024.

Here’s how the Triple D Approach can turn this idea into a concrete action plan:

Dates: You decide that you want your new group coaching program launched and running by June 1st, 2024. This date gives you a clear target to work towards.

Details: Break down the group coaching creation process. List action items such as choosing your ideal avatar, creating the objective and purpose of the program, outlining the skeleton of what the program will look like, pricing and marketing, etc. After you list out those main action items, you will then create bullet points under each one to break the details down much further.

Deadlines: Assign deadlines to each task. For instance, “Choosing Your Ideal Avatar by February 15th, 2024” or “Creating the Objective & Purpose of the program by April 1st, 2024.” These deadlines create a sense of urgency and accountability.

By following this approach, your idea of creating a group coaching program evolves into a structured plan with clear milestones and a deadline for completion.

The Triple D Approach is a game-changer for entrepreneurs. It takes your ideas, gives them structure, and ensures you remain accountable. It’s about turning dreams into reality by setting Dates, defining Details, and adhering to Deadlines. This approach will help you have a record-breaking year in 2024!

Daniel Woodrum

Head Coach at Early To Rise