In practice, it is very useful to have analogue tools to capture thoughts and ideas. We need a system to retain this valuable information. In this new blog post, we are going to list some of them that can be very useful.
Writing on paper
As obvious as it may seem, it is even more obvious to realise that we don’t do it. Writing on a piece of paper, a notebook, a Post-it or even on a paper napkin is essential. To write is to expel from our mind full of ephemeral memories something that can remain within our grasp for a long time.
Drawing on paper
If you are too lazy to write, try a drawing or an outline. For example, a flowchart, a mind map, a concept map, etc.
Writing allows you to capture more detail, but drawing makes it easier to capture context and visualise information. Combining both solutions can also be a great option. In this way, we can get the best of both worlds: details and clear context. Depending on the time available, more or less detail is possible.
Analogue tools to capture thoughts and ideas
In addition to availability and ease of use, analogue solutions bring the benefit of making ideas more tangible. They turn thoughts into concrete and visible concepts in our physical reality. In addition, they are very flexible.
They also have the advantage of reducing the time we spend in front of the screen, which can have a really positive impact on our attention span. This prevents us from being subject to distractions arising from the digital environment.
It is also important to note that analogue solutions increase brain activity and help us memorise information better. This is great because, on the one hand, putting ideas down on paper frees our brain from the burden of remembering fleeting ideas. On the other hand, it helps us memorise the information that matters, simply by capturing it by analogue means.
It is always a good idea to carry a notebook and a pen with you, wherever you go. That way, you can always have a backup for capturing information.
All this does not mean that digital solutions are bad, far from it. While it’s great to have analogue means to capture ideas in various situations, it’s also great to rely on a digital system. As we will see in the next post, digital solutions offer other advantages over analogue. Interestingly, the transition from analogue to digital is often an opportunity to review, clean up, complete or discard ideas. As such, it is an excellent filtering function.
Photo credit: BD
