It is always encouraging to have an epiphany - a moment where something occurs to you that you haven’t thought of before. Most of us feel a bit brighter, a bit more encouraged, and a bit more enlightened after that pivotal moment of realization. We are driving along and - wham! - a thought occurs to us that seems as though it could change our world. Or we sit bolt upright in bed and come to a conclusion regarding an issue that has been on our mind for quite some time.

Mine seem to come at random times. And while some have been really solid, strong ideas (”I need to start working out again to feel better and watch my waistline.”), that doesn’t mean they are brilliant. Other times, my ideas have seemed brilliant and profound (”I know there are starving people in America and I must solve the problem right now!”) but not very realistic. Most all of us have these times - times when we realize we should make very good use of the ideas which have popped into our mind. And therein lies the key ingredient - we must take those momentary ideas and actually PUT THEM TO USE.

I have three action suggestions for each of us, myself included, which should help us make better use of our well-intentioned epiphanies. They are as follows:

1) Write them down.

As the old saying goes, ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ It could be modified to say something along the lines like this, ‘the road to hell WOULD be paved with good intentions, if only I could remember what they are!’ And that is me personally. I have a great idea in the middle of the night, am convinced I will never forget it, only to wake up and never again remember what that great idea is.

2) Make a list.

I don’t know if it was watching Tom Dixon do it or listening to Todd Rodenberg talk about it that helped me more but we each need a list of our priorities. By prioritizing the most important of great ideas, the less important ones get put aside and therefore, I become more effective in accomplishing my tasks.

3) Lastly, conduct a mental check-up.

This isn’t a mental health exam. What this means is for us each to question whether our heart and mind are truly engaged in the project/thought/idea that came from the epiphany. Do I really want to move to Ethiopia? How do I feel about cleaning out the sewer system? Will my family appreciate the fact that I tattooed my head for charity? Exactly how will a vow of silence and prayer affect my career? These are just a few of the hypothetical questions we each should ask when examining our new-found goals.

While I am certainly not poking fun at anyone’s brilliant ideas, I am suggesting that epiphanies DO have real value… but only those which have been carefully examined. May we each examine our ideas, and then move forward with great courage! As always, I look forward to your thoughts!