If you want to make progress happen, or be someone who brings good ideas into the world, the following is for you. It’s the simplest, easiest, most straightforward way to convert your ambition into action. When I’m asked to give

The simple plan

1. Pick a project and start doing something. It almost doesn’t matter what it is. You will need many experiences in trying to develop ideas into things before you’ll be good at it, especially if you are working with other people. Don’t wait around. Go make a website. Write a draft. Draw a sketch. Make a prototype. Have a small ambition you can manifest quickly so the stakes are low and the pace is fast. Until you start working on something, you won’t truly start learning. The temptation is to have a grand-sounding universal plan, but don’t give in to it. That can come later. Think of these early attempts as scouting for ideas. Before you can build a city, you must thoughtfully scout and map the landscape. Having a thing, even a napkin drawing, to look at improves the quality of conversations about the possible ideas. If you can’t find a way to start a project at work, do it on weekends—history is full of creative heroes who never had approval from anyone to do something. There is always a way to start; just pick something small enough that you can do it yourself in an afternoon, or with a friend, and get to work.

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