I have heard so many good talks on leadership and have read so many great blog posts on leadership and so have you. The question is do you remember where you saw it, read it, or heard it? If you’re like me, often times the only thing I remember was that it was good. So good I wish I would’ve captured it, but didn’t. I’ve learned to do a better job of organizing my personal development and capturing the nuggets so that I don’t lose it. I’m generally not an organized person, so I’m still refining how I organize, but here are a few ways that help this ADD – fly by the seat of his pants – mistake maker organize his thoughts on the fly.
- My Moleskine. I write thoughts, blurbs, comments down while they are fresh on my mind. I often will interrupt a conversation in order to write something down. Thoughts that I write down today have the potential to become…a future sermon series, a new idea, or a spiritual breakthrough. By writing them down and reviewing them periodically. I give room for a thought to turn into an action.
- My Resource Email Address. This is a separate email address that I set up that I use solely to store articles, website addresses, and anything else that I may want to access later. If I read a great blog post, I’ll use the share button to email the article to my resource email address. If there is no share button(shame on you if you have a blog and don’t use one)I’ll copy and paste the article in an email and mail it to my resource email address. It’s a way for me to organize and catalog information that I may want to process more or not forget.
- My iPhone Notes App. There is a simple App on the iPhone that allows you to type a note an email it. If I’m somewhere and I don’t have my Moleskine, I’ll write a note and email it to my resource email address.
How do you capture thoughts on the fly?
The Moleskin is a lifesaver. I've been journaling for over ten years now, but the past two I have been using this brand alone. It's amazing how much you use the pocket in the back, not to mention the sleek design.
I like the idea of setting up a resource email. In fact, I'm working on doing that as this comment is being left. I appreciate the idea.
One thing I also utilize is a white board in my office. I like having it always available to look at. It helps me access ideas that I need to continually go back to over a period of time.
Great blog. Thanks.
Thanks for sharing @MurrayMick Good point on the whiteboard. Sticky notes are another thing that I could've mentioned in the post.
Hey Mike –
You might want to try Evernote.com if you haven't already. It is great way to tag and dump almost anything and everything and easily find it later. Best part is that you can even send photos and it has OCR to allow full text searching on those photos. Also has iPhone and Blackberry, and Desktop apps!
Cool Greg! I'll check it out…downloading the app as I type this.
Mike, all great points here! I don't use the moleskine, but I am especially fond of emailing things to myself. Also, after removing my share/email link from the bottom of posts to my blog, I have brought that feature back as your insight made sense. Now my blog is MistakeMaker friendly
Dave, I'm honored that you would bring back the button for me! I'll make sure to use…and hopefully others will as well!