Organizing is critical if you want to remember your ideas long enough to share and execute on them. Today’s flash of inspiration may be forgotten if you don’t have a method for retaining and retrieving it when it’s time to act.  

I’m a collector of ideas. I save them on Evernote, jot things down on paper and use the occasional post-it or napkin if that’s what it takes when an idea comes my way. Today I’m sharing how I’m wrangling all this great info into a system that works for me and my team.  

Two big things are clear:  

1. Not having an organized system meant a time-consuming search now and then. I knew I had the info somewhere and the hunt would begin until I found it.  
2. I was the only one who could find it! Even if someone wanted to help it was impossible for that to happen.  

Moving from the journal system to Evernote helped, but still it wasn’t enough. I knew there had to be a better way.  

Ideas are assets. They are part of what I do and it’s important to me to treat them that way. Setting up an organization process is the answer. Here’s how I’m doing it.  

• Identify your silos of content categories. Big picture things.  
• Create a system that supports the way you think. Hear my example and see how you can do this in your own way. It’s helping me create uniformity and consistency.  
• Pick the right software. This can be time consuming, but ultimately worthwhile to make sure you find what works for you. Hint: use software you are familiar with.  
• Get help. Let others on your team be part of this. You don’t have to do it all yourself just like you don’t have to remember it all either! Once the systems are set up, others can help keep it running. Huge long game strategy. 

Create what works for you. Treat your ideas like the treasures they are!  

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