Catching an idea

From time to time, I have entire conversations going on in my head. Many of these conversations involve an idea that has started to saunter through my frontal cortex, occasionally looking back to see if I am going to give it any attention. It goes a little something like this: 

Idea: Hey, hey, you! Here's an idea!

Me: But that’s a silly idea…

Idea: But maybe it would be fun...

Me: But I'll have to get out XYZ and it will take some time and I'm not sure this idea is worth it…

Idea: It could be fun. 

Me: True.

Me: What if it turns out awful? 

Idea: Who cares. 

Idea: What if it’s beautiful? 

Idea: What if it’s awesome? 

Me: The first version will probably be terrible. 

Me: What the heck, I think I’ll try it. 

I wrestle the idea around in this manner, sometimes for days, until I finally accept that it was, in fact, intended for me to do something with. For example, last week I had a conversation that went a little like this:

Me: I want to buy pretty Christmas wreaths for my front doors. 

Me: But I can not find any that I like and that don't cost a fortune. 

Idea: But..you kind of live in a forest and the forest has berries and branches.”

Idea: Maybe you could make one? 

Me: Yes. I’ll make one! 

Me: Shoot, I need two. 

Me: They may not make it to Christmas. What if they turn brown and ugly? 

Idea: Maybe that’s okay because they will be fun to make! But you must start soon.

Me: I think I’ll add red ribbon. 

Me: Oh. I like them. 

Idea: I’m so glad you listened.

Sometimes, however, I don’t listen to the idea that's trying to land. 

I let the conversation drift. My fear or busyness or insecurity gets in the way and the idea passes, or I forget what it was I was debating doing in the first place. While I know this is bound to happen from time to time, let me just say that letting the idea pass is much more regrettable than at least playing around with it for a while, giving yourself the permission to experiment and explore. 

Thankfully, there’s a few simple solutions. 

1. Write it down. 

On paper. In your notes app. With a marker, with a pen, while you are eating green eggs and ham. Even if you think it's crazy or you need to wait until later to have a little chat with your idea, still write it down.

2. Say it out loud. No need to worry about an audience here, just say it out loud to yourself a couple of times.

That's it.

The crazy thing is, in my experience, the more you start catching your ideas, the more often you will have them. I am not sure why this happens, but it's as if your brain starts mass-producing at crazy rates because it has someone (you!) to make them happen.

Bottom line...your ideas are most likely intended for, you guessed it- YOU. Catch them before they're gone.