Leaders are in a continual state of thinking and observation.
Unfortunately, many of our best ideas fall out of our brains because we are too busy to capture them.
How many times have we forgotten a potential game changer that would have increased our leadership ability?
In comes the idea journal.
Some people hate the idea of journaling but I promise this is a different concept. An idea journal differs from a diary, prayer journal, or blog because it is simply a way for you to capture and develop various ideas and observations you have throughout the day.
Utilizing an idea journal can help with your processes, systems, writing, teaching, and professional development.
- Bloggers and writers can use capture ideas and topics to reduce writer’s block.
- Preachers and teachers can benefit as they collect illustrations and contextualize their message to their culture.
- Managers can record insights gathered from conversations of employees.
In short, this is a bookmark for your brain. As you jot or type out a concept you have an easily accessible reference point for later.
An idea journal can be digital or hardcopy. I suggest using an app like Evernote and create a notebook specifically for your brain-dump or purchase a hardcopy Moleskine notebook to carry with you. I have been a fan of both for years and have had great success with a digital and hardcopy notebook.
Once you decide on your medium, the next step is to start recording.
Don’t waste a lot of time creating a method. This should be a place that you can sketch an idea, write out a definition, or make a quick observation. If the system is too complex, you won’t be able to utilize it.
Here are some ways an idea journal will develop you as a leader.
Why You Need An Idea Journal
- Capture
Quickly capturing an idea creates a reference point for you to draw upon later. Instead of forgetting a wonderful idea, record it to expound on it later.
- Create
When you record ideas it allows your brain to marinate on a subject. The longer you are able to use your imagination, the better the final product with be. Creativity does not happen overnight, you need a period of time for inspiration and maturation.
- Critique
When you walk the sales floor or through the aisles you are continually observing how your company, employees, and systems work. Journaling will allow you to critique your processes and find ways to improve upon them.
- Captivate
I love dedicating a page to a single word or concept. That way as I see an example, definition or illustration for that word, I am able to capture its meaning played out in reality. I begin to be captivated by various aspects that I had never noticed before.
How are you capturing and developing ideas?
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