A 6 Step Process To Tame The Wild Idea Tiger
March 17, 2008 | In Mindset |
Feeling powerful makes me want to take on new projects. The problem is, I then feel split about the projects I’ve already agreed to take on. This split really becomes obvious as the result of my recovery from depression. When I’m depressed, I feel drained and don’t want to do anything. When I feel better, I feel up to anything. I then want to do everything now I’ve been wanting to do, and want to do it all at once to make up for the lost time. The biggest hazard, however, is getting all kinds of ideas, but not having the time to do more than a little bit here and a little bit there on any of them.
Photo by I’m Fantastic
This afternoon, I’ve gotten some great ideas for a second blog I’ve been thinking about starting. It would center around my erotic fiction and be a place to post about my ideas on woman’s sexuality. While this blog will happen eventually, I’ve also got many good ideas for posts on this blog.
In addition, I’ve got a craft project I’m in the middle of, an exercise habit to establish, I’ve been thinking about getting another ear piercing, and I want to set up a routine for chores and shopping. All of these ideas spinning in my head, but all of them starts, and not full outlines.
In the past, I’ve followed a 6 step process to get these whirling thoughts in order. Although I haven’t done this yet today, I want to share the steps with you.
1. Write a list of all the ideas spinning in your head. Don’t take a lot of time for this. For me, ideas come fast and furious, and I just write down a few words to remind me of the idea. Usually, when I make these lists, I end up thinking of things that weren’t originally on my mind. However, putting them on the list assures that I will give them the same consideration as the other ideas.
2. If you have any thoughts on aspects of those ideas, take the time to jot them down as well. This is a time to reflect a bit deeper on every idea, constructing a rough outline of how to complete the project or what the finished product will look like. Again, I just use simple phrases or a few words to outline. This isn’t a formal plan, but more of a brainstorming or mind mapping session.
3. Figure out the first step, and just the first step, needed to implement all of the ideas. Once you have a basic blueprint for each new project, you can determine what the next step is. For my new blog, the next step would not be picking a theme, it would be writing a post, or outlining a short story. For a craft project it may be determining what materials I would need.
4. Now that you know what would need to be done on each idea, decide which ones have the highest priority. We tend to want to start the fun projects and neglect the necessary, but boring projects. For instance, I would much rather brainstorm ideas for short stories than make a list of chores. However, keeping the house neat and assuring that we have food to eat daily is certainly more important that writing for a new blog, especially when I don’t have a firm grasp on writing for this one yet.
5. Plan a time to start on the projects; don’t forget to consider that some projects may be able to be worked together. For instance, I have a craft project that involves preserving dried flowers. While the preservative spray is drying, I can work on another project, like a blog post. As part of planning to start, you can determine if you will need assistance. Will you need to make a shopping trip for materials? Will you need to arrange for some quiet time?
6. Do the projects. In the last step, you determined where in your schedule you could find some time to work on a new project. While things may come up, do the best you can to start the projects. A bunch of ideas and outlines on paper are a good first step. However, they don’t represent finished products, habits established, or appointments made. Action must be taken.
Going through the above steps can seem like a downer when I first start. However, by the time I reach the action in step 6, I feel a sense of peace and focus. This translates into a greater feeling of power and determination; I know what I have to look forward to and know that it will be even more fun once I get started.
How about you? Do you go through a similar process when you get a rush of ideas? Do you have any comments or additions? Please leave me your thoughts in the comments below.
Writing in Journal by newandrew; Calendar by ejhogbin
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A great process.
Being a bit personal (so feel free to delete this comment), perhaps you exhaust yourself. Trying to do too many things when you do have the energy. Hope this isn’t offensive.
Evan,
You didn’t offend me. I do end up doing more when I have the energy of course, but usually I find myself thinking more, not sure where to start. Why I’m a big fan of lists, I suppose. They not only help me to organize my thoughts, but I get a lot of motivation to keep going even when I’m low energy because I like seeing things crossed off the list. (In fact, if I do something that isn’t on the list, I like to write it on the list then cross it off so I can see how much I’ve done. :))