Scraps, Sparks, and Spectacular Ideas

Close your eyes and think back to this time last year. Can you remember a moment where you scribbled down an amazing idea and stuck it away? Maybe you took the time to go to a corporate retreat, a business summit or a convention and something set off a spark. You were going to Mind Map it and really take the time to flush it out. There was a reason you bothered to highlight or write down what you heard or saw. Alas, you got busy, you pushed it aside and thought I’ll get to it tomorrow.

Suddenly, it’s a year later and that post-it note slides off an old agenda or falls out of your business journal. Who knows what that spark could have turned into for your business? A new offering, a way to be more productive, better KPIs for your growing team that lead to more profitability.

Most of us are so busy working in our business we have no time to work on it at least that’s what we tell ourselves. Yet, you did go to the giant pond of ideas by attending events you just didn’t implement. Now is the time to regroup and look back at what could still be incredibly relevant to your business. You are probably working from home in self-isolation during dealing with this terrible crisis COVID-19, which means you probably have gained some time. Use the time that you would have eaten up commuting or going to lunch to go through your notes.

I mentioned mind mapping earlier. It’s a great way to decide whether you pursue the idea or say never mind. Here’s my down and dirty tutorial.

1. Write down the concept. What is the main goal or purpose of your mind map?
2. Add branches to the word. Don’t overthink it just write down other subcategories or topics. Add as many branches as you need.
3. Add different colors. Seems silly? It’s not if you don’t it will all blend, so separate those branches to it’s easy to see.

If you are like me, you probably get filled with frustrated at finding scrap papers with so many ideas that never saw the light of day. Take the time to revisit that spark who knows what it could turn into.