Creativity can really be a double-edged sword.
Bloggers are constantly coming up with new ideas and projects, especially while doing something else. Whether it’s at the gym, the grocery store, or school, sometimes there are so many ideas bouncing around your head that it’s hard to figure out where one ends and another begins.
To help you out, we’ve put together five tips to help you weed out the good ideas from the bad ones.
1. START BY WRITING IT ALL DOWN.
That means getting yourself a (virtual or physical) notebook. Scribble down any idea that comes to you–whether it’s while you’re sitting at your desk at the office or while you’re falling asleep. If you’re in a hurry, tell Siri or Cortana to “remind me that I want to write about pumpkin spice season.”
What may look silly or small at first can turn into gold later, so save everything. You’ll need it for those rainy days or when you’re not feeling particularly inspired.
2. BE REALISTIC IN YOUR EVALUATION.
Consider feasibility and logistics.
When you’re flipping through your notebook again, list things you’d have to achieve for each idea. For example, if you’re considering an online store, your work doesn’t end when you’ve come up with a few products. You have to fill orders in time, work on packaging, get the right courier, handle returns, etc. So if that isn’t doable, don’t do it.
3. SET YOUR PRIORITIES.
Okay, there’s this one idea you really want to work on, but you don’t have the time or resources for it yet… Don’t get down on yourself.
Save the more ambitious projects for later–right now, focus on the realistic ideas that excite you the most. Those are the ones to rein in first.
4. BE ORGANIZED.
That means your brain and your work space. Yeah, I mean your computer, too.
Streamline and create a system to keep you, your thoughts, and your projects all organized. Label all your folders and set some time aside to clear out and sort your files. Keep things in their rightful place. Breathe.
Ahhhh.
5. TAKE IT SLOW.
Working on new projects or major changes to your blog is exciting! Whenever I outline things for a new story or post, I’m bursting with energy.
But… well, pace yourself! You don’t want to burn out, and not everyone can work at three intimidating projects at once. In the end, it’s best to remember that doing one thing well is better than doing five things poorly.