Don't write and cook! Use an idea catcher instead (a lesson from Linda's kitchen)

A wise woman (OK, it was my Mom) once told me that if I didn't want my omelet to be runny, I could stick the frying pan into the oven on a low heat for a couple of minutes so the eggs will set. It works like a charm, and the only challenge was getting used to handling my frying pan with oven mitts. I'd never used it inside the oven before, so it didn't come naturally. I had quite a few mishaps but most of them very quick. (Ouch, that's hot! Let's just pull that hand away, shall we?).

This morning I was blessed with an Einstein hair situation, where ideas were flowing to me so quickly I could barely catch them all. I had already scribbled out several notes to myself, and had even started a worksheet for a new "Write From the Headlines" post.

It was that post that I was continuing to compose, in my head, while I stood in the kitchen  putting the finishing touches on my breakfast plate. I looked over at the stove and noticed the frying pan handle was sticking out - uh oh, better turn that in so I don't knock it when I go by, safety first, after all...OUCH, THAT'S HOT! LET'S JUST PULL THAT HAND AWAY, SHALL WE? Yikes.

The lesson from Linda's kitchen? I need to keep that idea catcher close and keep scribbling. I need to take a time out from other tasks to give it my full attention, so that I can then let go of it and trust I will remember the gist of the idea when I go back to it later.

Composing an article in my head takes up precious bandwidth and I obviously don't have any to spare when there are hot frying pan handles around.

Writing prompt: Where do you get most of your spontaneous ideas for articles or blog posts? Do you have idea catchers handy in those places? Have you ever had a mishap when you were thinking about an article or business idea and not quite paying attention to what the rest of your body was doing? Your stories are welcome below. Please? It would really make me feel better.

Comments

[Linda Dessau]

Great ideas, thanks Melissa! I did a prior Write from the headlines post about the earthquake in Italy (http://lindadessau.typepad.com/ideagenerator/2009/04/laquina-rescue.html)

[Melissa Martin]

Good article Linda!
Some of my best ideas come from the treadmill or even headlines from the news.

Example: What does a seriously ill baby in a Toronto hospital and a 90 yr old woman in Italy have in common with your job search?
(Both had resilience and survived. The baby survived the illness; the woman survived the Italian earthquake. The woman told a TV reporter that she didn't panic before rescuers got her. Mind over matter....)

Your career coaching ideas could be 5 goals to restart a job search and get hired faster.

Melissa Martin
webinarcareercoach.blogspot.com
twitter.com/ravingredhead