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What
happened to those brilliant ideas that came in the middle
of the night? The solution to a nagging problem that presented
itself while you waited in line at the bank? Or that complete
outline you developed for the next e-book bestseller during
halftime at a high school football game? You know they were
good ideas, some of them even inspired, so how did you manage
to lose them? It is so frustrating to try unsuccessfully to
remember a concept that, when originally conceived, was "unforgettable."
Your
brain is an amazing information processor, but you absolutely
can not rely upon it to recall the hundreds of ideas that
you have day in and day out. If you don't create a method
to jog your memory, you will sadly lose ideas that might
ultimately mean the difference between a truly successful
freelance career and a mediocre one. Even thoughts that
you are sure are etched in your memory may vanish a short
time later. The answer is simple. Immediately write down
your ideas. Don't depend on your memory. Create a mechanism
for capturing your thoughts on paper. Carry cards or a
notebook--anything small enough to conveniently jot down
notes wherever you are. Even the back of an envelope will
work in a pinch. You will be amazed at how little written
information you need to bring back to mind an entire idea.
Just a few key words or sentences will prove invaluable.
Next,
set aside time to organize those thoughts.
Keeping a journal--a
notebook of ideas--is most effective and can be done in innumerable
ways. Here are a few options:
Purchase
a blank journal.
These are available at bookstores, card shops
and through many on-line office supply stores. They range
from inexpensive plain books to elaborate volumes with beautifully
decorated covers and illustrated pages. The design is the
window-dressing; the written ideas are the treasure.
Use
a three-ring binder and notebook paper.
This is my personal
choice because it gives so much flexibility. It can be organized
by date or by category. Additional pages can be added at any
time an idea grows.
Craft
a one of a kind journal.
This is an option for those who are
artistic and love the hands-on experience of making their
own. Today there are so many beautiful papers available that
the designs are unlimited.
Utilize
your computer.
Look at your software. Select the format that
will work best for you. Even a simple text file is an option.
No
matter what kind of journal you chose, take time to plan how
you can simplify the process of locating the material later.
Color, drawing, underlining, or key words in the margins are
great tools. Even months later you will be able to remember
where an idea is located on the page, what color you highlighted
it with and yes even the idea itself may be crystal clear.
The process of recording your ideas actually reinforces them
in your memory.
The
design--the size, shape, color or format--of your journal
is purely a personal choice.
The key is to go ahead, make
the decision and start a record of your thoughts. Not only
will a journal help you capture your ideas; it will provide
the history--an overview--of how your business has grown.
Some of those initial ideas will have turned into solid elements
of your freelance business. It's exciting and a big confidence-builder
to be able to follow your thinking processes and consequent
business development over months and years.
So
just remember the next time you're caught in that daily traffic
jam, on a plane to Chicago or a fast train to New York, make
notes. Your original thoughts are priceless. Don't waste a
single one of them.
Marilyn
Crain is a freelance writer with an extensive background in
human resources, information systems and performance improvement.
Most of her writing has been in these business fields, but
she is now expanding her horizons into other areas. You may
contact her at marilyn@smartwriters.com.
=======================
Marilyn
Crain is a freelance writer with an extensive background
in human resources, information systems and performance improvement.
Most of her writing has been in these business fields, but
she is now expanding her horizons into other areas.
She
has had a lifelong love of reading and writing. Among her
many passions is sharing history with children through her
developing series of children's historical fiction soon to
be out on www.ezetta.com.
She
is a partner in the e-newsletter/e-marketing site http://www.evoicenewsletters.com/,
as well as, the soon to be launched eZetta.com,
author's site devoted to e-book publishing and decodiva.com,
a site filled with beautiful living resources. She is co-publisher
of two newsletters, The eVoice and The Freelance Life. You
may contact her: marilyn@smartwriters.com.
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