October 8, 2010 32 Comments

Make an Idea Locker

Lawn Bowling Lockers, St. Pete Shuffleboard Club

I have way too many ideas and not enough time. For ideas that I think are awesome but that I can’t get to in a timely fashion, I just give them away. I’d rather someone else do it, make a business out of it, and then I can refer people to it, and that’ll be just as good. For ideas that I think I can launch in the next little while, I put them in my “idea locker.”

Make an Idea Locker

This isn’t something especially tricky. In my case, it’s a spreadsheet. In it, I put the rough idea, the steps I think it’d take to execute, the resources it would take to execute, and a rough timeframe for when I want to revisit it.

The result? My head clears of the idea. My thoughts refocus on the things that matter at present. I don’t split my attention.

Simple idea, but it saves a lot of effort and a lot of wheel-spinning.

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  • http://www.nathanmeffert.com Nathan Meffert

    Thanks Chris. This is good. I just finished my fall goal setting session, and I have a similar process for goals, but I like the thought of applying it to ideas too. Just remember to clean out those old, sweaty idea-socks from your locker from time to time. It applies to your brain too.

    • http://www.nathanmeffert.com Nathan Meffert

      As a side note, it also applies to my brain. ;)

      • Anonymous

        Socks come in pairs when purchased but soon become individuals. I liked the fact that there was only one ball in the picture for juggling with after the ideas had been placed in a locker (I use google docs to classify: goals/halfwritten articles/….). I also liked your point about a season for setting, I understand some have weekly, others daily but 4 a year seems more relaxed.

        • http://www.nathanmeffert.com Nathan Meffert

          I do different goal setting work in each season too. In the winter, I go really deep. In the summer, I do the same. Fall and spring are usually more about adjusting, and celebrating. This comes from observing natural patterns. Simply put, it’s what nature does, so it’s what I do. And it seems to work pretty well. Good to hear your insights. Thanks.

  • http://www.addingitup.com Rod Watkins

    I’m totally with this. Good ideas can get actually get in the way of other things more pressing. I keep an idea file, but mostly ideas for future blog posts. I use a spreadsheet also because it’s so darn convenient. I throw in headline ideas, topic ideas, or just random thoughts like statements that seemed really cool but I didn’t have an immediate use for.

  • http://cashwithatrueconscience.com/rbblog Ryan Biddulph

    I just stated this yesterday Chris. I listed out a bunch of ideas on a sheet of paper which had been on my mind. This allows me to clear my mind and act on the ideas – or pass them off to someone else – at a different time.

    Thanks for sharing and have a good weekend.

    RB

  • http://twitter.com/CharlesTaggart Charles Taggart

    Great Post Chris… I like using a sketch book to jot down visual ideas and have an “Ideas” file on my PowerBook for written ideas while at the computer for Blog or what have you… Spend some time to re-look at them and/or enlarge on the better ideas at a later time… You never know when you might have an idea too- carry a tape recorder in the car for ideas is an idea also…

  • http://reallifemadman.wordpress.com Marjorie Clayman

    Ah. I’ll have to think about this. When I get an idea, I like to chew on it to see if I can figure out if it’ll work. Often times, because I don’t have the best future vision, I need to dip my toe in, and then, well, it’s well out of locker space, I’ll put it that way.

    Interesting that you give some ideas away. Maybe I am too protective. Then again, I don’t have nearly as many ideas as you :D

  • http://themogulmom.com Heather Allard

    Chris,

    I record all my ideas in a notebook and now have them dating back to 2003 when I designed my first products, Swaddleaze and Blankeaze. It’s so fun thumbing through them, sometimes chuckling and other times being re-inspired by ideas I’d long since forgotten.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Heather

  • http://www.azreg.com Alex Casteel

    Thanks, Chris. I’ve got a notebook on my desk for just such an occasion. It’s a little less structured than your spreadsheet. I write down everything that’s coming to mind, from original concept to action steps to possible obstacles and solutions. I find, like you, that it helps to clear my thinking for the task at hand. I’ve only given away an idea or two–I probably need to be a little more generous with that.

    Enjoy your weekend!

  • Gailmreid

    You are so right- you can make your head spin with lots of ideas and then nothing really gets past the idea stage. In her book, The Creative Habit, the legendary choreographer Twyla Tharp shares her methods for keeping her projects organized yet in progress. She uses a storage box method. I loved reading her book because it made me realize that creativity/artistic genius is as much about discipline as it is talent.

  • davidburkus

    Greta idea. Is it possible to get a template of yours? Maybe posted to the site? It seems like a better strategy than my current one: make a note in Evernote.

  • http://www.kherize5.com Suzanne Vara

    Um I save em up and tell you.

    Ideas always need to be flushed out and putting them down on paper allows you to take a minute and see which are viable and which need to step aside as they need some tweaking. Ideas are everywhere, we get them from posts we read, tweets that scroll across our screen, talks with friends, etc. It puts the brain on information overload and never allows for the creativity to come out and also the execution. I keep them in a notebook or ok really on lots of pieces of paper that sit nicely in a folder. I jot things down constantly to go back to them and see if they are executable or if I was drifting.

    Rolling them off of friends helps too as you know when you are onto something.

    @SuzanneVara

  • Tbize

    I love it! I often find that for me perfection is the mortal enemy of the good and so I tend to abandon many an idea looking for the perfect solution. I don’t know who your giving those ideas of yours too but what an honor, what a cool concept! Thanks for sharing all you share!

  • http://www.beabu.com Petr

    In my case it’s a folder where each idea has its own doc. It takes 1-3 minutes to create and then I’m back to the original work. Once in a while I do a sort of “idea processing” session and go through all the idea docs – some of them I take further and the rest is archived.
    Back before implemeting this simple thing it sometimes happened that a good idea ruined my whole working day.

    • http://www.beabu.com Petr

      And yes I forgot, sometimes I write down things on a small piece of paper in the middle of the night. Sometimes it’s more like 5-6 small pieces of paper at a time.

    • http://www.beabu.com Petr

      And yes I forgot, sometimes I write down things on a small piece of paper in the middle of the night. Sometimes it’s more like 5-6 small pieces of paper at a time.

  • http://www.bigjobsboard.com Steve Jobs

    I do have a list but not a locker as it seems too large to put all of my ideas. My ideas are often on scratch paper and tucked on envelopes with a title each. The problem is, the ideas are often forgotten till I see that idea implemented by someone else.

  • http://www.BeyondThePedway.com Tim Jahn

    Great idea, Chris. I need to start doing this. Too often, an idea pops into my head and begins to consume it. Rather than address it immediately, I need to write it down, put it in the locker, and return to the task at hand.

  • http://workathomehomeschoolingmom.com/2009/01/planning-mapping-out-the-year/ Shannon

    Ideas can create a real bottle neck sometimes. There always seems to be a steady flow, and just not enough time to act on them all. I like visual of a “locker” – a place to store them for later.

    Personally I carry around a notebook that everything goes into. An idea comes, like you I jot down everything that came with it, and then move on. Then later, if it’s an idea I”m ready to pursue I pull it out, type it up, and start in on it.

    For whatever reason the old school method of pen and paper just seems to work best for me – and I’m not always at a computer. It just works to pull out the book and write things down whereever I happen to be, or to go curl up in a chair and spend some time dumping it out onto paper.

    Even still, it’s sometimes hard to be strategic with too many ideas. That is of where setting annual goals and casting a vision of where I want to be comes in. :)

  • http://www.mylivingcookbook.blogspot.com/ Tracy Wood

    I like this idea….currently I use post it notes….

  • Gt Theriault

    Good ideas and great one from the comments. Anyone uses an iPhone app? I’m still trying to work with Evernote. Trying to find a way to make it work for me.
    My problem, is not having enough ideas or passions. It is the execution! As a previous post, that really exemplify my situation was the FEAR! post. I wish I would have someone in my surrounding who as experience and I could trust enough to bounce some of my ideas with. Also, to learn how to go from an idea to execution without being a stupid move and having my family pay the price. I read all those books about people like Chris who have executed and reach success and get pump! But, reality or fear sets in quicker then being excited and keep going back to my routine!
    For now, will have to keep writing ideas down!

    • http://paulcarterjr.posterous.com Paul Carter Jr. #pcjr

      I can relate to your thoughts. To some degree, your going to have to trust someone. Putting your ideas on the shelf to collect dust is worse than not trusting anyone, I think. Calculated trust or giving some trust for starters and allowing another to earn trust the rest slowing along the way. Always paying attention to what’s going on around you, the important details of the person or people.What is fear anyway? Afraid of what? Venturing into the unknown. What motivates me sometimes is considering the frontiers that departed from the comforts of there homes traveling thousands of miles to an unknown country with dreams of building a thriving community and wealth. They had strong visions of what could be, risking it all, to become.Everyone wants the outcome, but it’s the output towards the desired outcome that makes it happen. There I go again, stating the obvious, I know. We humans complicate matters. Our own intellect can work against us, if we let it. Ants just keep working until the outcome is fulfilled.

      • Gt Theriault

        Thanks Paul and good analogy. I agree with you, I guess I will have to trust someone sooner or later! Next step, find that person and start moving forward. You mention the frontiers and it is so true. Look at people who leave their countries in order to have better life! One step at a time and as long it is towards my goal, then it should be a great adventure!

        • http://paulcarterjr.posterous.com Paul Carter Jr. #pcjr

          Your welcome, anytime! Let me know how things are coming along. Your welcome to contact me. All the best!! :)

  • http://paulcarterjr.posterous.com Paul Carter Jr. #pcjr

    Ideas are the cradle of visions. What happens when your mind is constantly coming up with ideas or solutions for various problems that exist today? I think at some point, if you have the resources in place, it is best to leverage yourself by hiring a creative director or someone that can take your ideas to the next level. Your idea or vision and a team to handle the details. I know it’s not an easy process to build the right team but long term, having a team to leverage yourself, your time will pay off. Not enough time? Outsourcing or insourcing a team to handle the details when ideas come might offer the best solutions rather than sitting on ideas, I think.

  • http://www.mattsreiblog.com Matt Rosen

    Solid advice that I am going to start immediately. I have way too much ideas taking up my thoughts.

    Great idea Chris

  • http://www.rjjohnston.me RJ Johnston

    Brilliant

  • http://www.wordsthatdeliver.com Carole Pyke

    Thanks Chris, exactly what I needed to hear today and it has given me an ‘idea’ to add to my new business.

    Carole
    Words that deliver

  • Lindsay

    perfect timing on this post. I would like to hear more about how people keep track of ideas. I have notebooks filled with ideas, and idea folder in my gmail. I have been keeping a google doc with ideas and I just moved that to a google site -I was feeling like a wiki style would be more helpful so I could keep adding related info and articles as I come across them.
    Does anyone keep a blog for new ideas?

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