Here's Where Your Next Great Idea Will Go

	Jump Start Monday | Get your week off to a great start with the Day-Timer blog. Each Monday we’re going to feature a new tip to help you gain a more productive week at work and at home.
Today’s tip: Keep a Grass-Catcher List

Your next brilliant idea has already been forgotten.

Everyone has exceptional thoughts and ideas that fall through the cracks because they’re not ready to act on them. Unfortunately, some of those ideas may have shaped their future goals and success.

Try this:

Anytime you get an idea that you’re unsure about (“someday/maybe” items), list it as a Grass-Catcher item in your day planner. Either create a special list, or add it to your Master Task list with a symbol “G.” Be sure to put it on your list without judgment, you will determine its value later. Then, during your weekly planning sessions, weed through your Grass-Catcher list and pick ideas that spark your interest.

Here’s Why:

The grass-catcher on a lawn mower collects just about anything it comes into contact with – not just grass. It’s non-exclusive. Creating a similarly non-exclusive method for capturing task and goal ideas can be a useful and liberating experience.

How a Grass-Catcher list will benefit you:

• Captures fledgling ideas for future consideration as tasks and goals
• Reduces anxiety and distraction by freeing mental clutter
• Fights procrastination – it’s a delegation zone for non-priority tasks you’re not getting done

Remember: It’s okay if many of your Grass-Catcher items become compost.

[photo by Rennett Stowe]

Day-Timer Spokesperson Jeff Doubek can be reached at jeff.doubek@daytimer.com