When I first start working with coaching clients, I’m always amazed by the tidal wave of ideas they bring to the table. Ideas that inspire and excite them.

But, too often, those ideas are accompanied by tales of how inspiration turned to disillusionment, and excitement became frustration, because despite all their brilliant concepts, they found themselves no closer to seeing their vision become reality.

I understand the frustration. I’ve felt it myself. But I also understand why that tidal wave of ideas isn’t bringing results. You see, as exciting and inspiring as they are, ideas are just exactly that: ideas.

This topic came up in a conversation with a friend—a successful entrepreneur who knew exactly what it is to experience that tidal wave. I asked him how he’d managed to build the confidence to step out of where he was—before he became successful and all he had was ideas—and not just pursue his dream, but actually turn it into a living, breathing reality.

The answer he gave me was beautifully simple: “I decided, and I did it”. “In fact,” he went on, “these days it’s become something of a mantra I live by—’decide, and do’—and it’s never let me down yet.”

Decide and do. I love that.

I love it because it captures a simple truth: for your dream to become a reality, there comes a point when you have to actually do something.

But, sometimes, as simple as it sounds, to ‘decide and do’ can be really difficult. After all, when you have so many ideas, where do you start? Let me suggest a process that may help.

First, declare an ideas embargo.

Ideas can quickly become an industry in themselves. Those initial concepts breed and take on a life of their own. Before you know it, you’re surrounded by things you could do, should do and must do. Soon, the only thing you’re creating is more ideas, and your journey towards realising your goal is going nowhere.

So, declare an ideas embargo. Refuse to entertain any more ideas until you’ve worked through what you’ve already got. The embargo is only temporary, but it buys you space within which you can actually do something.

Next, filter the ideas.

Work your way into the pool of ideas you already have. Root out the bad ones—those that take you away from your vision—and bin them. Leave the crazy ideas to one side, putting them on a shelf marked ‘keep safe until later’.

Then, when all you’re left with is the good ideas—the ones that lead you towards your vision—you have the foundation for creating a plan.

Then, it’s time to make a plan.

Ideas that don’t ultimately (maybe directly, maybe indirectly) lead to activity are pointless. To make your ideas useful, you must take action. But that action needs clear direction and purpose.

Look at where you are, and where you want to go. Then feed in those good ideas, so you can see what needs to be done to turn them from concept to reality.

Now, actually do what needs to be done.

Most people maintain their momentum when they see something happening—something tangible, rather than just an idea. To bring your goal to life, you need results, not just ideas. And you achieve those results through taking action.

Ideas are vital to your success. They are the source of creativity and innovation. They are the magic that will inspire you. But never forget that, without action—without a commitment to ‘decide and do’—ideas are, and will only ever be, just ideas.