The Hidden Cost of Uncaptured Ideas

There is a hidden cost to our uncaptured ideas.

Imagine a world where no growth happens. We wouldn’t have new technology to make our lives easier, or live longer. Hybrid and EV cars wouldn’t exist.

What if we didn’t have electricity wired into our homes?

Most of the time, our great ideas come to us when we least expect them. In that moment, we can’t act on them and assume we’ll remember later. Unfortunately, later comes and it’s gone. You may recall having an idea, but the actual idea escapes you.

I’ve run into this myself… a lot.

My favorite time of the day is my daily walk. It gives me the opportunity to step away from the burdens of work, enjoy nature, the weather, or a podcast. During these walks, I often stumble on ideas for my writing, tools to build, or anything else, only to forget them later. It was frustrating. The idea would arrive in a flash of clarity, but by the time I sat down to write it down, it was already gone.

If only I had written it down in that moment.

To solve this problem, I started using a notes app on my phone. There was one problem; I would forget that I had taken the note. It was out-of-sight, out-of-mind. And for some reason, I struggled to keep up with using the notes app in my regular routine.

It lacked the tactile and handwriting process that helps with memory processing.

This is when I discovered the EDC Notebook. What is it? It’s a pocket-sized notebook built to survive daily use; it’s also referred to as a “Fieldbook”. EDC stands for “Every Day Carry”. Hardcover or soft, they’re built to withstand pockets, bags, and in some cases, bad weather. I first heard about them from a survivalist/camping video I happened to be watching.

Ideas leave fast… paper doesn’t.

I started using one of these pocket notebooks to counteract forgetting my ideas and thoughts during my walks. And it has changed everything! The notebook’s physical nature keeps it in sight. It’s small enough to keep in my pocket, but I’m still aware of it, like I am with my keys or wallet. The process of writing my thoughts and ideas changes my mental connection with them. I’m able to recall them better later, and the note is there regardless of my memory, allowing me to close that open mental loop.

Analog systems, like using a notebook, have added value in our digital age.

Using apps involves content switching. A vibration or notification pulls you out of ideation and creation, and into the interface of a new pop-up. Ideas are fleeting; every notification pulls you out of the flow, disrupting your thought process.

A notebook reduces that friction. It’s just you, your pen, paper, and your thoughts. The flow is preserved with zero interruption. The power isn’t in the paper, it’s in the system.

My EDC Notebook is now the common reference point for all that I do.

When I read a book, I use it to take notes. It helps me track project progress when I’m away from my main source of documentation. It has turned into my low-tech 2nd brain, reading the open loops that lead to forgetfulness.

Even when I’m home, it’s always next to me or in my pocket. I get up for a fresh cup of coffee, it comes with me like a loyal sidekick.

Why not carry around a daily planner?

One could do that, but I find them to be too bulky (yes, even the smaller ones). Besides, this isn’t meant to replace your planner or calendar. It’s a temporary storage location for information, only there until you can record it properly for the long term. It’s important to remember this: you still need to keep with regular systems and documentation. These pocket notebooks are for on-the-go use and are only a single LEGO block in your system. You carry it for convenience, not to replace everything else.

Remember, there is a hidden cost of uncaptured ideas. That cost is the loss of something that can be equivalent to the invention of the airplane. It may lead you to greater success than you could have imagined.

Don’t allow that cost to be imposed on you. Record your ideas; maybe an EDC Notebook is all you need.

I know I’ve found it to be a game-changer in my life.