14 Ways Idea Journals Accelerate Growth & Success

by Marian Sparks

in Accelerate Success, Tools

Image © Royalty-Free/Corbis

Have you vowed to “Make 2009 Shine?”  A simple way to jump-start your success and end the year “full” is with an Idea Journal.

I decided to adopt this practice at the start of 2008 after reading a blog post from one of my mentors, Alex Mandossian (read “How An Idea Journal Accelerates Business Growth”).  And I’m pleased to say that it solved my problems.  So, I continue this practice today. And you can too when you follow the simple steps to get started.

Seven Problems Your Idea Journal Solves

  1. A simple way to record lessons and ideas without having to write a book. (You’ll be surprised at the end of the year that you have a book—your book of Ideas, Reflections and Success)
  2. A way to reflect of those lessons without feeling like you’re writing to “Dear Abby” (now I’m dating myself)
  3. A simple process to capture and review your brilliance (yeah, I’m talkin’ to you!)
  4. A way to easily recall “aha” moments even after the moment has passed
  5. A way to spark yourself into action from reading past achievements
  6. An inspirational respository for quotes, blog posts, product ideas, business partnerships, marketing experiments and continuous learning opportunities
  7. Proof you’ve made progress on your journey toward what you want to accomplish

Do any of these problems sound familiar?  Good. Keep reading to find out why you should get started with an Idea Journal.

Seven Reasons Why You Should Adopt the Idea Journal Habit Starting Now

In a moment, I’ll show you a simple step-by-step method to get started with minimal effort.  But before I do, let me first explain “why” you should adopt this practice now.

  1. An Idea Journal holds the innovative ideas you’ve generated, tested and fully implemented.
  2. An Idea Journal reveals how your thinking has evolved over time.
  3. An Idea Journal captures the explicit if not implicit assumptions you’ve made.
  4. An Idea Journal captures key learnings you can apply to other areas of your business or personal life.
  5. An Idea Journal helps you appreciate the progress you’ve made over time.
  6. An Idea Journal helps you make better business decisions.
  7. An Idea Journal becomes your single source—your “Book of Ideas, Reflections and Success” at the end of the year for other creative uses.

At the end of the 2008, I reviewed my Idea Journal page by page. I was amazed at my journey– the growth I experienced by cultivating this simple habit.  The “stuff” I had chosen to accomplish. And the mistakes I don’t have to repeat.

Fast forward to the end of the year. Image what it would be like for YOU to sit at your desk, café, or favorite contemplative space. You open and read your “Journal of Ideas, Reflections and Success”.  What does it reveal about your year?  Does it reflect the results you intented when you vowed ”Make 2009 Shine?”

I guarantee that you will experience the same type of pride  and ephiphanies, I felt when I got started with an Idea Journal.


Five Simple Steps to Start Using an Idea Journal to Accelerate Your Growth

 Here’s a simple 5-step “no fuss” action plan you can use right now.

  1. Decide you’re going to start an Idea Journal.
  2. Grab an empty spiral notebook.
  3. Print Alex Mandossian’s blog post and/or this post.
  4. Tape it to the first page of your empty journal (Quick Tip: cut away the white space first)
  5. Write your first idea.

Congratulations you’ve jump-start your success!  

Let me know you got started. You can also follow me on Twitter and tweet me your decision and experiences.

Related Entries:

  1. Why People Fail When Using Idea Journals to Improve their Results?

Tagged as: Accelerate Growth Success, Action Plan, Alex Mandossian, Idea Journal, Tools

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  • Hey Marian,

    I also keep journals; one for business and one for personal. Both have my ideas, observations, quotes from books/web sites/song lyrics (more in 'personal' journal) and even some fortune cookie strips taped. But I have to remind myself to revisit them, especially the 'business' one to remind myself of my own plan and evaluate my progress.
  • Hi April,

    I keep the review process 'fluid' so it doesn't feel like it's a chore. Like you I include my plan in my Idea Journal. I have a one page plan that I tape at the beginning of the 90-day period. It's interesting to notice the pattern around how that plan 'morphs' (by what gets done or um, doesn't get done)...Understanding why and making any adjustments to keep moving towards the target.

    Thanks for sharing!
  • Hey Marian!

    I really like this post--and in fact keeping a journal is one of my New Year's Resolutions. But I haven't actually *started* yet, because I thought it was some formal thing I had to do at the end of each day. By the time I tumble into bed each night, I've found I just don't have the energy!

    In fact, I LOVE the idea of an idea journal, and keeping it with me at all times so I can just jot things down as they come. This may sound corny, but I think there's something so much more tangible, more "real," about working out problems or doing serious thinking with a pen and paper as opposed to a keyboard and screen. I've done a lot of our GPS assignments that way, before transferring the results over to Flying Logic or MindJet.

    Question: is your idea journal just for business, or do you put down personal ideas, thoughts, and questions, too? Do you think they need to be separate?
  • Hey Katie!

    I'm glad you like this post. Like you I struggled with the "formality" of journaling which is why the Idea Journal does wonders. You use it when you want, where you want and how YOU want to use it. And I just keep a running numbered list of ideas, accomplishments, key learnings, quotes, thoughts, failures, essentially anything that comes to mind. If an idea for a blog post comes up. I jot it down. If specific content for the post comes to mind, I start writing it right there and stop when I'm 'empty'. I'll revisit later when the time is right.

    But to answer your question:
    I use this particular Idea Journal for business only. I recommend you keep the two separate. In the long run, it will be easier for you to organize, manage and filter the information. And it's okay if an occasional idea cross over happens. By keeping them separate, you could share select pages with your business partner. Or have an *trusted* assistant makes copies or scan specific sections for sharing with others. I don't think I would want to share my personal rantings with them. It would be scary to know what goes on in my mind sometimes... =)

    BTW stay tuned (or shall I say 'twuned') for a follow up post next week. I get more into the tactical use of my business Idea Journal.

    So if you haven't gotten started with your Business or Personal Idea Journal, you can start now. Just grab a binder, pen and write your first entry!
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