Freelance Writing Content Creation for Business by Jonah Chipeco

5 Practical Ways to Organize Your Ideas

Organize Your Ideas

Are you one of those writers who suffer from too many ideas syndrome or TMIS?

We all know that being creative is a blessing, especially if you’re a writer. Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, you need to have the ability to generate thoughts and concepts and come up with something fresh or exciting.

However, this ability can also cause problems. If we don’t know how to handle our thoughts, we will feel overwhelmed. Instead of being productive, we end up procrastinating because we don’t know where to start. 

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WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS
CONCLUSION
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WAYS TO ORGANIZE YOUR IDEAS

To maximize your creative potential and not miss out on great ideas, follow these five practical tips:

1. Create a mind map or visual representation.

Organize Your Ideas

Mind mapping is an effective technique that makes connecting thoughts and brainstorming more fun and memorable.

Unlike the monotonous writing of information, where you just jot everything down, a mind map is a non-linear diagram consisting of words, lines, arrows, colors, images, and symbols linked to each other and revolve around a central topic. 

Dr. Sperry’s split-brain research proves why mind mapping works well. It is because it’s compatible with how our brain works. Mind mapping activates parts of our brain that processes logic, numbers, colors, rhythm, and imagination. 

Here are some steps on how you can start creating a mind map:

  1. Pick your central topic or main concept. What idea would you like to explore?
  2. Add main branches. What subtopics are associated with your central topic? 
  3. Create more sub-topics to the main branches. Dive deeper into your main concepts. You can put relevant images, words, and thoughts.
  4. Assess your map. Check if you’re satisfied with the diagram. Feel free to edit it.
  5. Start taking action from there. 

If you’re looking for a free tool to use, check Mindmeister. 

2. Choose which can benefit most people

Melyssa Griffin, a business coach and a blogger, learned that there’s one thing that makes people or business successful. And no, it’s not acting upon all of their thoughts. 

But it is about solving people’s problems. 

In writing, you can also apply this strategy. Do your research and find out which topic or idea you can focus on to solve your audience’s problem or that can benefit most of them. 

80/20 Principle

Organize Your Ideas

But what if your list is still long? What if there’s a lot of problems you want to solve for your audience? Or there are many topics that can be beneficial for them? 

In this case, you can apply the Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 principle. 

Here’s what you can do:

  1. Get a piece of paper and write down the top ten topics, concepts, or solutions you think will help your audience. You can also write down the top ten problems you want to solve if you haven’t come up with solutions yet. 
  2. Ask yourself these questions:
    1. “If I can only work on one thing from this list, which one will have the biggest positive impact for my audience or the people?”
    2. “Among these topics, which has the least information available out there?”  
  3. Then choose the two most important things from the list. 
  4. Prioritize and act upon those two things. Let go of the things you didn’t choose from the list and stay focused on what you’ve chosen. 

3. Give in to what excites you

Something that excites you doesn’t always need to be something you’re passionate about. 

In a Super Soul episode, Elizabeth Gilbert, a well-renowned author, gave a very inspiring talk. She mentioned that not all of us know what our passion is. And if you’re one of those people struggling to find it, you should go for what sparks your curiosity instead. 

You can also view your thoughts like this because not all of them interest you. No matter if it’s big or small, go for something that makes your heart pump and your soul sing. 

Don’t worry too much if it’s going to be a success or not. What matters is that you try and take action. 

4. Start with the easiest one.

“Go a little easier on yourself, and in so doing, be prepared to make and do things that might seem silly at first. Just keep moving: don’t ruminate and stare at the wall. Don’t just play with your phone: go out and produce something.”

Merlin Mann

Have you heard of the term debt snowball? It refers to a strategy where you start paying the smallest balance first, and after paying it fully, you will proceed to the next smallest debt until you finish paying all of your debts. 

You can also use this game plan. If you are not sure where to start, but you also think that all of your ideas are important, you can arrange them from the easiest idea to the most challenging one. 

It’s also a great way to build momentum and avoid feeling overwhelmed. 

5. Combine ideas with related themes.

“You don’t have a really good idea until you combine two little ideas.”

Twyla Tharp

If you write down your thoughts and look closely, you will notice that they are connected or have similarities. 

To work on them quickly and efficiently, divide them into categories or topics. 

Remember that brilliant ideas are not something that you create from scratch, but it’s mostly from two or three combined thoughts that you have. 

CONCLUSION

Your ideas, if executed properly and well, can change the world. So don’t ever think that they are invalid or unimportant. Find a way to organize them and act upon what you feel is essential. 

RECOMMENDED EBOOK

Plan and monitor SMART action steps in launching, building, or growing your blog using our practical worksheet. Get this eBook at writinghacksacademy.com/blog-planning-worksheet

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