Sometimes an idea or concept is in your brain and you have to get it out.This is more than a mere note to yourself. It’s often a lot of information which may or may not be connected. So let’s get the crazy out of your head so you can do other things.
Steps
1. Brain dump.
A brain dump is slightly different than just making brief notes of an idea. It is taking everything in your head and getting it down. Instead of a brief flash, it’s often a lot of information.The information is often centered on a single project. It might not even be the project that you’re actively working on. It might include words, graphics,charts and more. Have you done a brain dump before?
2. Document.
Flashes of inspiration happen the more you think about a project. Sometimes they’re small and easily recorded. If this is how your mind works, check out the Enrichment Project badge program “Note It Down.”
Sometimes, the amount of information is much more than you can put down in a single note. For example, I’ve struggled with writing a story when a flash of inspiration hits me in the middle of the night and I get up to hand write out 5-10 pages. What items do you wish you documented because the idea wasn’t what you were currently working on and you “knew you’d remember when you got back to it” and then lost the idea? In addition, you may need to get it out of your head so you could focus your current project.
Get It Down
3. Notepad.
Keep a notepad either on location or on your person. Be sure you have at least two writing utensils in case one fails (or your kids borrow one). Personally, I prefer colored pens. If you do as well, be sure that the color of the pen shows up well on the notepad as no tall paper is white. You can purchase or make your own notepad. Be sure it has enough room for your notes. It’s better to have a couple blank pages at the end of a notebook than to try to write very tiny to get the information written down.
4. Sketch book.
If I have a choice of a notepad and sketchpad, the sketchpad will win every time. With no lines on the sketchpad, you can do drawings in addition to words. So, when I have an idea of how to design a logo or sketch out a process I’ve been struggling with, this is a better choice. I also sketch zendoodles, room designs, patterns, flow charts,etc. Again, be sure you have at least two writing utensils. Where might a sketchpad work for you?
5. Journal.
Journals are great to document items before you go to sleep or upon waking in the morning. Basically, clean out your brain before starting your day or going to sleep.
You might want to note where you were on a particular task or where you intend to put your efforts when you get back to it. Like a notebook, journals normally have lines to write on. Bullet journaling allows you to do more and track different items within your journal. Journaling includes stickers, die-cut shapes, stencil designs, colored markers,and more that you can use consistently to remove some of your writing. For example, you might choose to make a special symbol for all pieces that pertain to a story you’re writing or to write a gift list in a different color so you know it’s not part of what you’re currently working on. Look at the possibility of using a journal for mind dumps.
6. Evernote.
Evernote, and other programs like it,allow you to save / access your information on multiple platforms. I have it installed on my desktop, tablet and phone. So, I type it once and it’s available everywhere. I also use it for organization.
For example, I have five different Evernote notebooks dedicated to the Enrichment Project. One tracks the pieces I’m updating to the 2017 redesign. One has all the new badge programs I’m working on. One has the supplements that might or might not have a badge program yet. One is for all the things I’m noticing as I work on updating and writing new badges that I want to go back and check on for consistency and possible expansion for use on the membership site. The last is just for miscellaneous items that I might or might not choose to do in the future. From these five notebooks, I have almost 2,000 notes. There’s no way I could remember everything, but by making a brain dump I can have the information accessible when I’m working on it.
7. Software.
Other software can help you document what you’re thinking. Simple text editors can allow you to type up your thoughts quickly. You can use drawing programs like a sketchbook. The difference between doing it manually and electronically is understanding the software.Look at how you are comfortable documenting your thoughts. How might you do the same process electronically?
8. Apps.
Apps are being developed all the time to do everything from simple tasks like surfing the web to allowing us to create scrapbook pages that can be printed locally and even photographing items so we can remember a design idea or font treatment. Look at your apps for your smart phone and tablet. What will help you document your thoughts? Is there a way to sync with software like Evernote?
9. Pinterest.
A great way to collect a lot of information is a Pinterest board. You take the information in your head and do searches for the items that match what you want to express. Put them all into a single board. You might want to make it private so no one realizes how weird you really are. Many people use these when they’re trying to create a wedding, party or event. They’re looking for ideas to dump into their board for everything that concerns a project.
10. Voice.
You might want a simple voice recorder so you don’t miss your thoughts. Alternatively, you might be interested in taking it a step further with voice recognition software that types what you say so that your notes are ready to put into an electronic document. Both can be put on your phone for portability. Start with a simple voice recorder and see how you like it. You’ll probably hate your voice at first, but you can talk a lot faster than you can type.
11. Mind map.
Some people do better drawing out their ideas. This has a central idea in the center with lines out to break down that idea into smaller, more manageable chunks. Look at mind maps to see if this works better for you.
12. Brainstorm.
While brainstorming is often thought of as a way to create new ideas for a solution, you are making a brain dump of all the ideas you have on a topic. Recording your brainstorm is essential as you will find yourself jumping from one idea to the next. To make sure you don’t miss anything, make an audio or video recording to accompany any notes you take.
13. Your own.
Create your own unique solution. It might be a combination of the items above. I primarily use a sketchbook and Evernote. You also might find that you prefer graph paper to blank pages or you like to pre-make your own mind maps to start out your process. Do what works best for you.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- EP_Badg eList_Brain Dump_larajla — list of badge items
- EP_Supp_List_Brain Dump_larajla — list of supplements for the badge
- SUPP_BPG_Brain Dump_2in_12up_larajla — generic badge printable
- SUPP_Brain Dump_Journal_larajla — badge journal
- SUPP_Brain Dump_Planner_larajla — badge planner
Supplement Fun
- N/A
Sites to Explore
- evernote.com
- www.brightontheday.com/how-to-brain-dump
- www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-to-do-the-ultimate-brain-dump.html
- kalynbrooke.com/life-and-style/time-management/brain-dump-101
- hustletostartup.com/brain-dumping
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here > Full badge PDFs