The 10 second rule for ideas

Fishing in an ocean of creativity

An idea swims up to you. What do you do next? Catch it and try it out now? Document and put it in a bucket for later? Or let it swim away? Here are my thoughts.

Option 1: Try it now

Personally, the longer I leave an idea to gather dust, the less likely I am to do it. When I sit down to create, I proactively search for inspiration and let the momentum form a spark of an idea to carry me through to the actual drawing.

Option 2: Save it for later

If you have too many ideas at once, document them all in one place where you’re likely to revisit them. When the initial buzz of a new idea has worn off, you might not like an idea any more. Or you can combine ideas you’ve saved to make renewed momentum when you need to create now.

Option 3: Let it float away

Sometimes ideas come when you don’t want them. Like when you’re driving or desperately trying to fall asleep. It’s okay to say “no” to an idea. Perhaps it doesn’t fit with your other ideas, or what you’re focusing on right now. Throw it back into the ocean and keep life simple.

At the end of the day, an idea is only worthwhile once it’s been implemented. You can’t implement every idea you have, so prioritise and enjoy focusing on the great ones.