So many ideas, so little time: how to make choices
If your brain works similar to mine, you probably recognise this: so many ideas, so little time. So, which ideas do you start working on and which do you leave behind? Because they all seem equally interesting. I share with you my system that I have not shared before, and which works perfectly for me:
My post-it or trash it-system:
1. Collect your ideas
Do you have ideas popping up in your brain all the time? Make sure you have post-it notes (sticky notes) everywhere. I have one on my bedside table, at my desk, in the bathroom (I get my best ideas in the shower), in the living room and in my bag. I scribble briefly on a sticky note what my idea is.
2. Stick them on the wall
On the wall in my studio, I have two lists: ‘ideas’ and ♡ (heart symbol). I stick all post-its under ‘ideas’, no matter how crazy they seem.
3. Select and trash
After a while, I look at the sticky notes again. I ask myself the question with each idea/sticky note: “is this something I really want to do, or do I think I have to do it?”.
Very often I think I have to do something, just because I can. Yes, I can develop an entire stationery line, but do I really want to do that? Is it in line with what I ultimately want to achieve? As Neil Gaiman said: “Does this bring me closer to the mountain?“.
If not, the sticky note goes in the waste basket. Does the idea give me a good feeling? Then it can go under ♡
4. Create a step-by-step plan
Now that I have been very selective with my ideas, I can look again at what is under the heart. If I am excited about something, even if it has been there for a month, I will figure out how to implement the idea. What steps are needed? By breaking it down into steps, I make it manageable to carry out.
Good luck and please let me know in the comments below if this system works for you too!
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All text and images © Marloes De Vries
I just started doing this! Thank you 😊
Will come back to report on the results
Depending on the idea and my current energy level I swing between diving straight into working on the latest idea; without a clear plan, to over planning that results in inaction.
As a visual person, writing ideas down in a notebook means they are often forgotten about. Never to see the light of day again! I LOVE this idea