I’m an ideas guy. I get inspiration all over the place. I’ve learned the hard way I need a way to capture ideas when I get them, even if they’re partial and semi formed. Those are the ones you’re most likely to not recall later.
This is what I do:
-I have an open Word document that I write ideas down. Thoughts. Blog ideas. Business ideas. Anything I come up with. This document is large now, but when I’m feeling stuck I can just start flipping through it, just as I did when it was time to write this article. I looked through it and saw this:
Yes, that means there is a counted blog idea list and that was idea #110 (with many more after it). I add to that list all the time.
-Notes app on my iPhone. I use the dictation (Siri) feature a lot now. I just speak my ideas into a note file. They get written down, and they are there for later.
-If I’m really pressed, like in a car, I’ll use the Voice Memos app. Record audio with no need to look at the screen and review the dictation accuracy.
-A clipboard and paper. I have one in my office and will bring it with me. I love to write on paper. I still sketch ideas. I actually will go with paper as my first choice, if I’m planning on doing some brainstorming, or bring the clipboard to my pool and sit out back.
The main thing is have a strategy to write your ideas down when you get them. Don’t let them escape!
