Simple Solutions: Taking Notes
Do you ever get ideas or thoughts you don’t want to forget at times when you are least likely to have a pen and paper handy? Okay, well I do sometimes.
It really irritates me when I tell myself, “I’ll remember that,” and soon after I’m asking myself, “what was I going to remember.” Then I waste two hours of my already busy day trying to recall whatever it was, only to come back to square one - I just plain don’t remember.
For some reason, I tend to have good ideas come to me at three inconvenient times during my day:
- while I’m trying to sleep in the middle of the night
- while I’m in the shower
- while I’m driving down the road
Now, those are not situations for which I normally would have a notepad and pen around. Therefore, most of those ideas or thoughts would just end up going down the drain, if I didn’t happen to remember them.
I decided there had to be a solution to these forgetful occasions. So, hold on to your chair because I have a rocket science solution to each of these situations. Here it goes:
- Place a notepad and pen by the bed at night. This way if I wake up in the middle of the night with an awesome idea or even a dream I want to remember, I can jot it down quickly and then go back to sleep. I don’t lay there worrying about whether I will forget it by morning and I don’t have to drag myself out of the bed to go write it down.
- Put a notepad and pen in the bathroom drawer. If I think of something I want to make a note of while in the shower, as soon as I get out, I can write it down. I’ve noticed that if I try to wait until I get dressed, brush my hair and put in my contacts, etc, the thing I wanted to remember has flown right out the door.
- Keep a pen and paper in the car or within easy reach in your purse. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stopped at a stop light or stop sign and jotted an idea down. In addition, since I keep mine in my purse, I have it wherever I go. I use it many times in stores for writing down product numbers, descriptions and prices I need to remember when I’m doing comparison shopping.
I know this is probably not my most mind blowing post, but I feel it has saved me some frustrations that come along with forgetfulness. Do you think I’m just getting old? Okay, don’t answer that.
Do you find that you come up with ideas at odd times? What do you do to make sure you don’t forget them?
This post is linked to Works for Me Wednesday.
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That’s exactly what I do! I also have notepads in each car’s glove compartment and by the couch. The trick is to remember to take all the individual notes and add them to my planner. However, often, just the act of writing them down once helps me remember them again.
Becky’s last blog post..Evolution of Breakfast Time
I put a recorder on my Iphone so I could record ideas I came up with.
This is something I definitely need to do. We manage a self storage property, busy teen and family so it’s hard for me to remember things.
Heck, I’d probably forget by the time I get out of the shower! Seriously!
zoe’s last blog post..Works for me Wednesay
@Becky - I agree. There is something about seeing thoughts or ideas on paper that helps me remember also. I guess I still need that notebook though to write them down, so I can look at them.
@Ticia - That’s a great idea, especially for all the tech savvy ladies out there.
@Rona - The notepad can become your best friend when you have that much going on.
@Zoe - That’s funny!
I guess it depends on when the idea comes to you - when you first step in or as you’re stepping out.
I do keep a notepad, or 2, in my purse for similar reasons and if for some reason it has been taken out I can usually count on my daughter to have paper with her.
I do keep a journal by my bed, though currently it has found a different home that I am still searching for.
I have never thought of having note paper in the bathroom though I do have at least a pencil in there for the puzzle books we like to utilize.
Thanks for the suggestions. Of course all of these only work if I can actually remember to write down what it in my head!
Elaine H’s last blog post..Works for Me Wednesday ~ May 19, 2009
I guess when you’re in the bathroom, as long as you have a pencil and puzzle books, you can at least write on an old puzzle page.
BTW, I hope you find your journal soon.
I love index cards! They are everywhere, ready to record inspiration any moment!
Jamie
steadymom’s last blog post..What Do You Think?
I usually just put a dot on my hand. That will remind me to try to remember what my idea was! If it’s a detailed idea, I have my iPhone with me at all times and will email myself or write myself notes.
Amy Locurto’s last blog post..Free Personalized Calling Cards
Good idea. I use notebooks for every specific area — blogging, appointments, volunteering, etc. — in my life.
Mostly, I just forget them and kick myself. I try to use my iphone as much as possible for notes. I need to get my notepad back out…
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy’s last blog post..So you think Seattle is rainy?
The paper napkin at the restaurant worked. I did wonder why I stuck a napkin in my purse after I got home, but I saw the writing before I threw it out.
Jendi’s last blog post..Paintball Is A Great Stress Reliever