The [Idea] Notebook, Why You Need One

If you sew, crochet, knit, craft, blog, or do anything you are passionate about and enjoy, you really should invest in a notebook for your thoughts. {Write that down, then keep reading for the Why}

I can't tell you how many times I have sat down to my sewing machine to start a project and my mind starts thinking of all of these great projects I can do next... before I'm even a dozen stitches into whatever it is I'm currently making.  My Notebook can tell you, though.

I am sure to keep it handy when I'm doing just about whatever and have gotten into a great habit of hunting it down when an idea pops into my head.

I will admit that I have more than one notebook, yep, I have about three.  True story! 

[My Go-to Gal]

This is my number one notebook, she's got divided sections that hold everything from business goals to sewing patterns, measurements and solid (to-do) ideas.  She's the one who sits on my cutting table while I prep, and next to my machine as I sew.  I have sketches in this notebook from the very first days of SoChick!, if not earlier! Like I said, Go-To. Gal.

[The Everything Notebook] 

  I always keep a brainstorming notebook, this would probably be all that I would use if I wasn't running my own sewing business and blogging (and if I was less neurotic about being organized... I'm a Virgo, ya know, that's how we roll.) This notebook is a jumble of ideas, if I have an idea for a DIY project, a bag design, fabrics, blogging, a sewing lesson, a to-do list... it all gets written in here.  I periodically go through and weed out the keepers and non- keepers.  The keepers I write in my Go-To Gal. See Above.  Or in my Blog "Planner". Keep reading.

[The Blog "Planner"]

Finally, because I do blog, I have a blog planner aka notebook.

I keep my ideas for posts in here when they come to me, I date the page, write up an outline and check it off when it's been scheduled or posted.

About once a week I will go through my blog notebook and 'schedule' my posts, typically writing them down on the calendar in my "Busy Mom" Planner:

The Idea Notebook is a great way to:

- Organize your thoughts:

- Set and track your Goals

- Reflect on what you've done and where you want to go. (Seriously, when you look back in your notebook, it feels great to see all of the projects you've checked off... because then you know it's time to dream up more!)

- Free up your brain!  Those ideas are floating around and trying to get out, set them free... in your notebook, and get back to them when it's convenient for you.

This quote is on my blog notebook, I love it.

XxOo~ Melissa