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If you are like me, you probably have 2,000 ideas going through your head every day. They way we think, with one thought leading to another, gets a little distracting at time. This is especially true when you are working on a project or considering different options to a problem. Often, some really good thoughts come to us at the most inconvenient times. I will be driving down the road listening to talk radio and a blog post will come to mind. Great, a good idea for a blog post now that I am driving with no computer in sight. Typically, I will forget the idea in a matter of minutes, unless I really try to remember it. But life gets in the way and good thoughts get lost. There is a really simple solution to this problem. Use a notebook.
I recently started using these contraptions known as notebooks to keep track of ideas and to help remember things. Studies show that the combination of reading, writing and speaking help you remember far more than just doing one of those. This is why it is so hard to remember names with faces and dates with places. In order to always have blogging and marketing ideas, I have solicited the help of a cheap, little notebook. I have about 4 of them floating around my coat, apartment, Jeep and pants pockets on a given day. I recommend that if you are not writing things down right now, you should start.
Apart from remembering the things you write, you also have a record of your ideas in one spot. I will organize my notebook and clean out the old, irrelevant thoughts after a few days. Any of those notes I want to keep, I will deal with accordingly, by writing a post about them, filling or entering them into the computer. When I revisit some of these notes a few days later or even longer, I find some are worth throwing away.
The next best aspect to writing these notes down is the ability to forget about that thought and move on to what you were doing in the first place. For me, some of the best ideas come to mind at the worst possible time like during a really focused project. When you get the idea down on paper, it frees up your mind to continue doing what you were doing and worry about that idea later when you can give it more time. I hate when I lay down to sleep and an idea hits me, if I don’t do something about it, I will continue to sit in bed and think about it when I should be sleeping. Simply writing the idea down frees up the mind to allow it not to worry about thoughts and ideas.
Never forget the milk again. When you write down your grocery list and head to the store, you can be sure not to forget anything. Now if you didn’t write it down to begin with and forget it, then what more can you do? I also find when I make a list for going to the store and follow it, I purchase far less of the unneeded items and save money. Who would have known a .50 notebook saves you money? On top of saving money, I feel it also saves a lot of time. Morale of the story, buy a notebook. You will save money, time and remember killer blog posts when you need to ;).














Boy you really punched it in the eye this time LOL. I couldn’t agree more!
I use little notepads that I get free or really low cost from Vista print.
It’s less bulky next to the computer or bed and fits ok in a jacket or back pocket…nicely n a purse too if you’re a woman.
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Yeah I have to Write stuff down too*
Otherwise what was Clear in my Mind @ 4am has left me in the Morning!!
;)) Peace*
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I have one of those notebooks too. For blog ideas I simply log on as soon as I can and “start” a draft. But when it comes to creative, copy or campaign ideas, I usually write them down in my notebook. I have about 3 notebooks that I am afraid to toss because one of them may contain the next great idea.
BigPappa’s last blog post..“What I Found In My Email” Mondays. Vol.2 - Issue 11
A very insightful blog Josh! Well written and it provides good direction and energy. I appreciate the share as always!
I am home btw
Thank you so much, I owe you and will advise further.
I have used this method for years. I keep my note books for years, you never know what you are going to need that is in them.
strange as it seems I always carry notebooks up to this day even if I’m working … and yes it is so essential to have one of those pocket size notebooks for you can carry them wherever you are and want to. But peculiar as it may sound, great ideas and thoughts flash on my mind on the oddest moments like when I’m doing laundry (mind you that is hadwashed laundry) or when I’m walking home after a day’s work. So, how do I find the time to write at those bizarre minute time when a certain idea strikes? A voice recorder or recording it in my mobile phone (which has a low memory capacity)? Any suggestions, please.
It is always delightful to read a well-written blog equally compelling and professionally versed.
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I’ve noticed good ideas popping into my head at odd moments too. Carrying a notebook is one of those things I tell myself I should do… Maybe I could do it if I had a small enough one to carry in my pocket or something. Otherwise I’m afraid I’d lose it.
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@Luke, I see what you mean but I would worry more able losing the idea in your head more than the notebook. Mine is about the same size as my wallet.