After sitting too long at the computer, brainstorming ideas for an article, I needed a break. It was time to get outside and go for a walk.
About 10 minutes into the walk, ideas started to flow. Ideas that I liked and wanted to use. I turned around and headed home, repeating the thought over and over, so other ideas wouldn’t replace it. I knew it would slip away if I didn’t try to capture the idea immediately. Arriving home, I grabbed a notebook and started writing.
You can’t always control when ideas start to flow – but you can plan to capture them.
Here are some ways you can capture ideas before they slip away.
Apps on your mobile phone
Depending on what you are doing and your preferences, you can use different apps on your phone to hold on to your ideas.
Voice recording app: There are several different voice recording apps. After you make your choice, put the app on your home screen so you don’t have to search for it when ideas pop into your head. You may find that more ideas will flow once you make short recordings of your main idea. Use the free version first to see if this is a good option. You can always upgrade to the premium version later.
Note-taking apps: Keep Notes is a free Google app used to create everything from notes on places you visit to grocery shopping lists. It’s also a good tool for capturing ideas for blogs and articles. You can also use it to record messages and take pictures.
Evernote is another popular note-taking app. It has many whistles and bells and is a good choice if you want more than just a quick way to capture an idea. It’s free for two devices to sync your notes across your phone and computer.
A small pad of paper and a pen
If you’re uncomfortable recording your ideas, and don’t like typing more than a short text on your phone, be prepared with a pad of paper and a pen that easily fits into your pocket or bag.
Even if you like recording your ideas, sometimes you get into situations where you can’t use your phone. Or in a place where you feel uncomfortable dictating your thoughts. So, it’s always good to have paper and a pen available. And don’t forget to put a paper pad and a pen on your bedside table too. Because we often get ideas as we drift off to sleep.
Washable bath crayons
If you have bath crayons nearby, you don’t have to lose those great ideas that pop into your brain while soaking in the tub.
These washable markers and crayons can be used to write on the tub or shower walls. If you keep one of them nearby, you can write a few words on the wall to help you remember the main points of your idea.
Be sure you verify they are washable on your particular tile before using them.
Create a short rhyme
If you like to make up short poems or songs, this method can be a great way to help you recall ideas—especially if you’re with someone else when the idea strikes.
Use words that remind you of your topic and ask your companion to repeat them. Having someone else repeat the words will help you to recall them.
Sticky notes
Sticky notes are great for jotting down the quick thoughts and ideas you get while working on another project. This happens when there is an overlap in the projects, and an idea for one can work for another—with a bit of adjustment.
Use sticky notes to save headlines, topics, and references. They are big enough to hold the main thoughts and small enough not to get in the way. And they stick to your monitor, keyboard, or wherever you want. My favorite size is the 2×2 pads.
Why is it important to capture ideas before they slip away? Because it clears your headspace and lets you relax, allowing more ideas to flow.
And there’s no more frustration about the ‘perfect idea’ that disappeared because it was forgotten when you finally had the chance to capture it.
You’re also more likely to follow through on ideas written down and not ‘stored in your head.’ Look at it this way—the more you capture, the more you generate. Taking a break from your desk is often the best way to get your creative juices flowing. So be prepared to catch them before they get away.
