If you’re the entrepreneurial type, you never know quite when inspiration is going to strike. It could be in the dead of night, on a run, or even in the midst of an exciting social gathering. Ariana Society members are particularly susceptible to random inspirations, as our differentiated mindset lends itself to creative bouts at the most unexpected times.
Recently, I found myself on vacation and relaxing at one of my favorite haunts: an upscale cigar bar and lounge, a quiet and peaceful respite nestled in the heart of a bustling urban downtown setting. Though I know this particular lounge is one that always inspires me, I consistently underestimate just how strongly the entrepreneurial juices will flow when I’m there to unwind.
Suddenly, while enjoying a fine cigar and a great drink, I was inspired. Visions of building a personalized travel experience business flooded my head. Within minutes, the business plan, marketing ideas, staffing plans, ramp-up ideas and exit plans flooded my head. There was almost no way to slow them down, and stopping them entirely was completely out of the question.
What does someone do when this happens? How might you capture all these notions when the creativity floodgates open?
There are a number of methods for taking notes on the go, each with their own drawbacks. Here are some possible options:
Voice Memos
You’ve surely seen them… the guys who whip out their phones (or even an old-fashioned portable recorder) and start speaking their ideas into it wherever they might be. In their minds, it surely looks flashy and important, and it’s undoubtedly a great way to capture a high volume of ideas the same way they come in: stream of consciousness.
The downside, though, is that people rarely go back and actually listen to all those ideas, and all the recordings in the world won’t push you any closer to success if they just sit around and collect dust. Also, verbalizing all those ideas when you’re out in public can be (very) annoying to others.
The Notebook
Maybe one of the most effective ways to capture ideas on the go is
a simple, old-fashioned notebook. These are available in a variety of
sizes, ranging from full-sized notebooks to small sizes that easily fit in a
jacket pocket. They’re great for writing down ideas on the go, but even
better for sketching out designs, making lists and organizing thoughts in a way
that is easy to reference later.
The downsides? Carrying around a notebook and pen can be a hassle, and
whipping them out when there’s no solid writing surface nearby can be awkward
at best. Pens can leak and damage clothing, too, and both can be easily
misplaced. Some busy entrepreneurs don’t enjoy having additional items to
keep up with when they’re on the go, so notebooks aren’t ideal for
everyone.
Your Phone
Phones are completely ubiquitous, and it’s perfectly acceptable to bring out your phone to make a quick note or digitally write down some ideas. A wide array of apps also empower entrepreneurs to take and organize notes in whatever format works best for them. Portable and powerful, just taking notes on your phone seems to be today’s method of choice for getting business done.
But, there are still downsides. Navigating apps zaps creativity, and fleeting thoughts can escape while you’re trying to capture them in the right format. If creativity strikes before you load the right app, you can lose the thought entirely before you can effectively note it.
The Bottom Line
There are a lot of ways to capture your ideas when creativity strikes. From jotting them down on a cocktail napkin to breaking out the latest technology, you can grab those ideas in almost any format imaginable.
The most important factors in capturing your creativity are that you’re able to do so in a format that works for you–whether it’s old-fashioned or digital–and that you’ll actually go back and review your notes at a later time.
Oh, and that you don’t annoy those around you when capturing your thoughts.
About Ariana Society
Ariana Society is a private VIP membership club for the digital elite. With powerful tools like networking, private social platforms, webinar hosting and business resources, plus other perks like heavily discounted travel and 24/7 streaming workouts, Ariana Society is the premier resource for successful entrepreneurs. Learn more at https://ArianaSociety.com.
