The Secret of Capturing Ideas

Ever have a great idea… and then lose it?

Ever have an important piece of information and when you go to use it… it’s gone?

Do you lose todos?  How about notes?  Or even appointments?

It is important to capture ideas and information when they happen.

Otherwise, they often go back to where they came from… which is nowhere.

Capture Ideas When They Happen

Where do great ideas come from?  Better yet, when do they come?

Where and when do you get your best ideas?  In the shower?  At the gym?  While you are sleeping?

Ever get an idea so great that it woke you up?

The other day, I was taking a Sunday afternoon nap when I suddenly got an idea.  Then two. I had to capture these great ideas.  Right then!

I jumped out of bed, ran downstairs, and immediately started typing on my computer.

The most important thing about new ideas and information is that you are ready to capture them.

Great Ideas… Lost.

Capturing ideas and information is about discipline and the right tools.

Are you ready to jot down that passing todo that you couldn’t act on right now?

How about that random note that may be important in the future.  Did you capture that?

Capturing is a very important skill.  And you need to have a system and tools that support your efforts.  Here are just a few tips to help you capture the ideas and information that you may encounter:

1. Ideas – Ideas tend to pop-up during the strangest times.  Whether your ideas come to you while in the shower or at the gym, make sure you have method of capturing them.  Whether it is a small notebook in the bathroom or on your phone at the gym.
2. Calendar Appointments – Many people hesitate to put appointments on their calendar until they are final.  Capture all appointments.  Even placeholders or tentative plans!  Most people hesitate to do this for themselves but have no problem with others throwing things on their calendar.
3. Tasks – When you think of that random todo, write it down immediately.  Make sure your todo list is always visible and that you keep it within reach.
4. Notes – Keep all your notes in one place.  I keep all my important notes in one notebook.  That way I know exactly where to go when I am looking for an important piece of information that I captured.  I prefer Moleskine notebooks (affiliate link).
5. Contact info – In this day of Google and the Internet, many people underestimate the power of collecting contact info.  However, a lot of contact information is not readily available on the web.  Having your contacts’ information at your fingertips is extremely powerful.

Capture It Before It’s Gone

Sometimes the best ideas are fleeting.  They can appear out of nowhere.  And be gone just as quickly.

When information or ideas comes into your life, make sure you are ready to capture it.

You never know when you might need it again.  Or when the next million dollar idea might hit you while you are in the shower.

How do you capture your best ideas?  How do you capture important information?

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