A constant problem for us millionaire wannabes is that we’ve got a lot of ideas that never seem to develop into something concrete. Guy Kawasaki, the guy we all turn to for the occasional kick in the butt, has done it again in his book, The Art of the Start.

He’s got five tips that he calls GIST: Great Ideas for Starting Things

1. Make meaning (Inspired by John Doerr). The absolute best reason to start something is to create meaning, to make a product or service that makes the world a better place.

2. Make mantra. Mission statements are so long. They’re boring, and they’re irrelevant. No one can ever remember them. Instead, make your meaning a mantra. Answer the ‘why’ of your organization. Your entire team can get on the right course if they actually know why you’re all there.

3. Get going. Start creating and delivering your product or service instead of the silly details like pitching and planning. You don’t make money there.

4. Define your business model. No matter what kind of organization you’re starting, you have to figure out a way to make money. The greatest are short-lived without a sustainable business model.

5. Weave a MAT (Milestones, Assumptions, and Tasks). The last step you need is to compile three lists:

(a) major milestones you need to meet;
(b) assumptions that are built into your business model; and
(c) tasks you need to accomplish to create an organization.