One of the most valuable tools used by creative individuals is the “idea journal” or notebook. Many great artists—Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Brunelleschi, Frank Gehry (see illustration)—have all recorded their ‘primo pensieri’, or first thoughts in them. Although most commonly associated with artists and writers, many prominent scientists also use journals to record their creative ideas. One such scientist, D. Carleton Gajdusek, has written extensively on medicine and physiology, filling an astounding 600,000 pages in his notebooks.
Over the past five years, I have kept an ‘idea notebook’. Suggested by Michael J. Gelb and based on Leonardo’s 9 x 6½ inch vellum clasped notebook, I use my notebook to capture ideas that spark my interest: inspirational quotes I want to remember, books I want to read, recipes I want to cook, whatever I fancy. Moreover, my idea notebook comes in handy when I am travelling and am struck by an idea for a classroom lesson, solution to problem, or a goal I want to achieve. Because good ideas quickly fade from memory quickly, I keep my 4 x 6 inch notebook close at all times so that I do not lose valuable ideas. I have also found it helpful to peak into other artist’s notebooks for inspiration and ideas. Author Danny Gregory has recently created a book, An Illustrated Life, which does just that.
The most important thing to remember about journaling is allowing the free flow of ideas to be recorded on paper. The more ideas one has to draw from the greater the likelihood that one will be more creative.
