Organize your ideas

Your ideas are important, and should be kept organized. Rosabeth Moss Kanter, American business speaker and consultant said, "To stay ahead, you must have your next idea waiting in the wings." So where are the "wings" where you keep your ideas waiting?

Ideas don't always happen at convenient times. While my wife and I were eating out last week, our conversation sparked several ideas for blog posts. I knew I would not remember them later, so I borrowed a pen and piece of paper from my wife so I could jot them down. But I tend to lose pieces of paper easily, or find them in my coat pocket a few days after I needed the idea. So as soon as we got home, I opened up my Google Docs and Spreadsheets where I keep spreadsheets for various lists of ideas. There I transferred my paper notes to the appropriate idea list.

To organize ideas in a spreadsheet, I use several columns.

1. The date I enter the idea.
2. The idea itself.
3. A "priority" assignment.
4. Any links I might make.
5. The date I actually use the idea.

The "priority" assignment can be a simple 1, 2, 3... The ones are those that are most important and need to be done first. Twos are those that can wait a little yet. Threes are those which need some research and can be developed later on. Or you can use A,B,C... Or you might try G,B,U (Good, Bad, Ugly). Whatever works!

If you are like me, you've lost a lot of ideas because you couldn't remember them later on when you needed them. So in order to "keep them in the wings," organize them. Keep track of them with a method with which you are most comfortable so you'll be able to find them when you need them. Pieces of paper can work if you don't lose them. Sticky notes can work if they don't fall off and get swept away. A notebook is good if you always keep it where you can find it. I prefer spreadsheets, because I know where to find them. Just be sure you give the spreadsheet a name you will remember, and store it in a folder you can easily find. Organize your good ideas so you can stay ahead by having ideas in the wings.


While you're at it, check out this great deal to help organize your ideas from one of my affiliates:

When did I buy that?

Knowing the date you bought something can be very helpful. If you are reselling something, the person buying it will want to know how old it is. If something breaks, you need to know if the warranty is still good. So how can you keep your purchase dates organized so you can find out when you bought something?

Keep a list to track the purchase dates:
You could do something as simple as keep a file folder or box where you stick all your receipts. That will work, but it can take some time wading through them when you want to find a particular receipt. Chances are you will not want to take the time to look through them all when you need one. And the receipt might not be readable when you do find it. Some receipts, especially those printed on thermal paper, can fade with time or the printing can get smeared so you can no longer read the dates. It is best to keep a list of items and purchase dates. That way all dates are in the same place and you can find them easily.

Using a spreadsheet:
If you have read some of my other organizational tips, by now you know I am a big fan of spreadsheets. So I keep my list of purchase dates on spreadsheets. I have a spreadsheet for personal purchases, and one for work purchases. In those spreadsheets, I have several columns to track specific information (these columns could be used on the top of a piece of paper as well if you don't like using spreadsheets):

Item ----- Purchase Date ----- Cost ----- Where purchased ----- Warranty period.

Enter information immediately:
Whether you use a spreadsheet, or list the information on a piece of paper, be sure to enter the information as soon as you can. Put the receipt by your file cabinet or computer as a reminder so you remember to enter the information you need. If you leave the receipt in the sack, it will get thrown out. If you lay it aside it will get lost in the midst of other papers. Put it someplace where it won't get lost and will be a reminder to get the information on your list. I have a small letter holder by my computer where I put information I need to enter. That way I notice it the next time I am at my computer so I get it entered and filed away.

Save those receipts and warranties:
As soon as you have listed the information, be sure to put the receipts and warranties in a safe place. They can simply go in a file where you can find them if you need them. Or use a box labeled "Receipts." If you have a lot of receipts, you can split them up into alphabetical files, or by year. Do what will work best for you. Wherever you put them, be sure to put them all the same place. Then there is only one place to look when you need one.

Preventive medicine:
You may think you will never need a receipt or a purchase date. But this simple organizational technique used as preventive medicine can save a lot of time and frustration in the future. It doesn't take much time. Spending a little time now can save a lot of time, frustration, and perhaps some dollars later when you can look and see, "Aha! The warranty is still good!"

Organize your photographs

Organizing your photographs can make such a difference. I've looked through people's photo albums and had no idea who was in the pictures, where it was taken, or when. The only way to know is to have someone who knows explain every picture to you. It can get boring because they want to tell you about every picture, even the ones you're not interested in. Then the next person picks up the album and they have to explain every picture all over again. There is a way to organize your pictures in photo albums that eliminates that problem. It is called scrapbooking.

My wife has been actively scrapbooking for a couple of years. We have albums of our early years, our college days, graduate school days, our wedding, our son's wedding, vacations, as well as albums of our tennis days and golfing days. The nice thing is that anyone can look through these albums and know who, what, when, where and why. The story is told right along with the pictures. It makes looking through photo albums a lot of fun.

I'm not an expert at scrapbooking, so I'll have to refer you to my daughter-in-law, Cheryl. She has been working for Creative Memories for quite a few years. She is the one who got my wife interested. You can check it out at Cheryl's Creative Memories site. Here's an excerpt from the home page:

"It's About Organization and Systems for Completing Albums!

Maybe you've tried scrapbooking and been challenged by the huge amount of product on the market or by the need for organization and motivation. Through my Creative Memories business, I can offer you many options to approach album making. I think you'll find you can preserve your memories, photographs, and stories in your own way whether it be digital album making, traditional scrapbooking, or anything in between. My web site is designed to help you enjoy the Creative Memories experience. You can access our entire line of products, place orders, view my workshop schedule and browse ... "

Check it out. Everyone who looks at your photos will be glad you did.

6-Steps to Financial Freedom

Early payoff of debts has one great advantage - FREEDOM. Here is how to do it.

1. List your long term debts, like credit cards, house payment, a 2nd mortgage, car payments, etc.

2. Figure out how much spendable cash you have using my 3-Step Organizational Plan to manage your money.

3. Decide how much of your extra spendable cash you are able to and willing to apply toward these debts, whether it be $25.00 or $300.00.

4. Decide which debt you will apply any extra toward first, and pay just the minimums on the rest. Usually the best bet is to apply extra toward the smallest one first in order to get that paid off as fast as possible.

5. When the first one is paid off, take that total amount you were applying to it and apply it to the one you want to pay off next, usually the next smallest one.

6. When that one is paid off, repeat step 5 above until all debts are paid off.

Here's how it worked for us.

Our Goal: to have all debts paid off in time for retirement. We didn't want any house payments, credit card bills, car payments, etc. following us into retirement. We plan to have fun, not pay bills.

Our process: We listed our bills including credit cards, mortgage, 2nd mortgage and two car payments. Then we projected out when each would be paid off applying extra toward one, then applying that full amount to the next one, until they were all paid off. Following that plan would get all debts paid off in time to enjoy retirement.

Our result: This worked so well, we got all debts paid off nine years ahead of the schedule. In fact, now I have set the date for early retirement.

It will work. All you have to do is make the plan and follow it. Or to use a well worn phrase: Get 'er done!

See Update on this post at Organizing For Retirement posted 5/26/07.

January Recap

Here are my organizational topics covered during January.

1. Oh no, it can't be Tax time already. Yes, it's time to Organize for tax time.

2. Filing systems can be a help or hindrance. Organize your file system.

3. Tired of wading through tons of email every day. Keep your inbox empty by Organizing your email and/or gmail.

4. Is your budget giving you problems? A 3-Step Organizational Plan to manage your money.

5. More detailed budget help in Part 2 of A 3-Step Plan.