Don't you just hate it when you see something in the news, in a blog, or on TV that makes you go, "Hey, that's my idea!"?

To take it a step further, there are books I've read or blog I follow which make me nod my head in agreement the entire time I'm reading their work. At the end of the book or article I find myself saying, "Damn, I've been thinking the same thing for a while, but why couldn't I articulate that thought like she did."

Today, Seth wrote an article about the difference between having ideas and selling ideas. This same idea is the thing I would call "getting traction." It happens in big ways and in small ways on a daily basis. "Who wants to go to Panera for lunch?" "We really need an easier way to handle support tickets." It seems the same people who can get traction for the small things (deciding where to go for lunch), also gain traction for the bigger changes in life and work.

My friend, Alan, seems to consistently amaze me with the way he is able to be the opinion leader in any group with which he's affiliated. To those defensive or jealous, it can seem like he's good at politicking. playing the game, or manipulating.

Some of these may factor in to his success at gaining traction, but the real sources of his traction, and anyone's traction, are:

• Understanding your own vision
• Being convinced of your vision
• Realizing the benefits to others
• Empathizes the concerns of those affected by your ideas
• Doing the work

The last item is the most important and it is the most challenging part because each of the bullet points above "takes work." The mental work of doing your due diligence and thinking through your ideas takes work. 

I find myself losing sight of these traction builders. "I sent an email... I put together a presentation... I told him about my idea." These things don't take work, they are tasks, but aren't the actual heavy lifting to giving your ideas traction.