I recently went on a self date.  I should have taken a selfie, that would have been appropriate.  Anyway, I went and ate dinner by myself while Jess was watching a movie with some of her students.  With me, I took a yellow spiral notebook and a pen.

Sometimes self dates work well and I can get into a groove and enjoy being alone.  Other times I’m so distracted by what’s going on around me I can’t focus.  That night was a good night.

I started making my Thursdays a day to learn.  I find resources throughout the week and put them in my wunderlist, and then go back and spend more time with them.

One of the things I listened to was a podcast where Jon Acuff was interviewed by Enterpenuer on Fire.

Jon mentioned that notecards are his secret weapon to flesh out an idea.  He referenced research that states you have more connection when you write things out on paper than on the computer.

So I gave it a try.  Instead of writing on my ipod, I wrote my ideas down on paper.

I felt connected to what I was writing, but my handwriting is horrible.  Luckily, I can mostly read what I write.  It was good to get the ideas from my head and onto paper.

I want to expand what I’m doing and be more strategic with it.  I asked myself questions about all of the ideas I’m juggling in my head.  I tried to flesh out the ideas and find out where I needed to be placing my energy in this next season.

I have a great idea that would meet a big need.  But in writing about it, I realized I’m just not passionate about it.

If I committed to it, it would be begrudging work.  My other ideas inspired me though.  I went into dinner thinking that my new idea was going to be where I’d be investing most of my time.  I’m glad I took the time to write things down and realize that isn’t where I want to be investing.

Do you ever write things down?  What’s your creative and planning process look like?