Do you remember the first time you were on a roller coaster? The adrenaline is rushing through your veins. There is a little fear yet excitement. If your adrenaline junky then you want to go for another ride. On the flip side, you may be a type of person that gets sick thinking of a roller coaster. Either way, roller coasters are fast paced and exciting machines created for the consumer.
Often times, our brains are working just as fast as a roller coaster. An idea comes and goes as quickly as it entered your brain. However, there are other times your intentionally trying to brainstorm ideas and nothing comes to you. Just like waiting in line for a roller coaster anticipating the ride but not sure how long the wait is going to be. How do we live in the tension of idea over load and idea flatness? How do you capture and remember those ideas when the adrenaline kicks in and the roller coaster starts turning. How do you keep track of all the ideas good or bad that come to mind? It could be about work, family, finances, or even hobbies.
“I’ve got to develop nine prototypes that go nowhere to make one that goes to production for big money. Only the place that tolerates failure gives rise to the thinking that results in success. ”
— Burt Rutan, innovative aircraft designer
It may take 9 ideas to get to your best one that is productive. However, what do you do with those 9 ideas that lead you to that tenth grand idea? I have listed a few ideas on how to capture these ideas when they are in overload or fatigue.
Tips on Capturing Ideas
1. Create an idea log that allows you to capture every creative picture or idea. The truth is you won’t remember all of them. However, an old idea may be useful in the future.
2. Carry a notebook to write down your ideas or a cell to document the ideas.
3. Don’t shoot your own ideas down. Its easy to say or think that was a stupid idea. You need to allow yourself room to think outside of the box. In order to do reach people no one is reaching, you need to be doing what no one is doing. That tip is paraphrased from Craig Groschel and Andy Stanley.
4. Research new things or novel ideas. For example, spend time watching the Teds Conference, The Story Conference, The Q conferance, or trendhunter.com. The purpose is to push your thinking and learn from others to create innovative ideas in your brain.
What do you think? How have you learned to take captive your ideas?
