Ideas - Catch 'Em While You Can!

I can agree with my sister Leslie's tip wholeheartedly! Leslie, a teacher, writes:

I make sticky note lists. I keep one by my bedside so when I’m trying to fall asleep and my mind is remembering a bunch of random things, I write it down and I’m able to let it go. The next day I transfer the note to my calendar or to my daily list of things to do. I’ve tried to just forget it and go to sleep…but I tend to toss and turn a lot longer if I don’t just write the thought down.

At work…these random ideas pop in my head while I’m doing a boring task like listening to a mundane reading test and I jot the idea down on a sticky note and stick it in my pocket. I make a point to clean out my pocket and compile the notes when I get home. As a result, I don’t spend as much time trying to remember what I forgot.

This idea works with spontaneous money spending too. If I see something on TV I’d like to order, I write the info on a sticky note and put it in my idea basket….I do the same with catalogues. If I don’t think about it again, then it is money saved. If it continues to come to mind then I make an effort in a week or two to actually order the item. 98% of the time the item never gets ordered and when I do my spring cleaning I find the notes and I happily throw them away noting how much money I saved myself.

This same idea (writing notes to myself) works really well for me, too. I keep a sticky note pad in my car and use it all the time. I have a notepad and pen out on the counter in my bathroom -- lots of ideas come while I'm getting ready in the morning or just before I go to bed. I also keep a little notepad in my purse (see blue and brown notepad in photo - available at Target). If I use that pad, I tear off the sheet and stick it in my pocket.

I once heard someone say that if you don't write down the creative ideas God gives you, why would He give you more? I have now written more than 160 blog posts, and have a running list that contains about 130 more ideas for posts. Sometimes I get several ideas a day. If I don't capture them, they may be gone for good.

So...set yourself up for success...make a conscious effort to record your creative ideas, thoughts, spiritual revelations.....even your to-do list.