Why Do We Forget Million Dollar Ideas?

Have you ever experienced the frustration of coming up with a brilliant idea only to forget it moments later? It’s a common occurrence that many of us can relate to. You may have been on a crowded bus, unable to write it down. Perhaps your phone died or you didn’t have a pen when inspiration struck. And then, months later, you hear about someone else implementing your idea and becoming a millionaire. The feeling of frustration is overwhelming. But why does this happen?

One of the main disadvantages of typical note-taking is that it is not always possible to jot down your ideas due to the conditions and nature of these “eureka” moments. Often, our best ideas come to us when we are in situations where traditional note-taking is impractical – such as in the shower, while running, or right before falling asleep. These moments often occur when our brains are relaxed and producing alpha brain waves, which are linked to creative thinking.

Another issue is that you may not always have the proper tools to capture your ideas. It could be as simple as not having a pen or your mobile phone being out of battery. In these instances, recording your ideas becomes a challenge.

Furthermore, sometimes new ideas are born during conversations, where you suddenly have a flash of inspiration. However, it can be difficult to interrupt the conversation to write down your thoughts, especially if you don’t know the other person well enough.

Technology is undoubtedly helpful, but it is not always available to save the day. While some of us fear dependency on others, relying on a battery or a pen is no different in essence. Moreover, in a world where resources like trees are scarce, it’s vital to consider alternative options.

So, what can be done to prevent forgetting these million dollar ideas?

The Power of Imagination and Mnemonics

To ensure you never forget another brilliant idea, it’s crucial to tap into the power of your imagination. One highly effective method is the method of loci, a mnemonic technique with a proven track record (Bellezza, F.S., 1996, Mnemonic methods to enhance storage and retrieval). This technique has been known to the ancient Greeks and Romans.

The general idea behind this method is to create associations between well-known elements and new information, in this case, your ideas. To utilize this method effectively, follow these steps:

1. Choose a familiar layout, such as a building or your own home.
2. Select distinctive locations within this place.
3. Specify key words that characterize your idea.
4. Create vivid, abstract, or absurd associations between the locations and the key words.
5. Mentally walk through the place to retrieve your idea.

Let’s go through an example to illustrate how straightforward and foolproof this method can be.

Imagine you want to create a comic book about a dysfunctional superhero called the Incredible Incompetento, whose only superpower is ruining every company’s project. Pick a distinctive location in your mind, like your own room. Visualize the superhero entering your room and spilling a cup of coffee over your sketches. This mental association between the superhero and your room will help you retrieve the idea later.

By utilizing this method, you can prevent forgetting your brilliant ideas and embrace a regret-free life. No longer will your thoughts sink into oblivion. And if, by chance, you become a millionaire one day, don’t forget to send me a thank you message.

Have you ever experienced the frustration of forgetting an important idea? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Featured photo credit: soultga via rgbstock.com