Interior designer’s life is busy. Sometimes, way too busy. As a result, you can lose your great ideas. Often forever! If only you had some way of organising your interior design ideas! Well, keep reading. And you will!
Importantly, I know this strategy I’m about to share works. Why? Because it’s the one I devised. For me. And I use it all the time.
So, 5 steps to organise the interior design ideas you love.
- Write your ideas down
- Organise your ideas into groups
- Be honest. Have you started work on your idea? Or is it still just that, an idea?
- Then bring it all together. Visually
- Be motivated by your success
Write Your Ideas Down
Write things down, as an ‘Ideas List’. Not as a ‘To-Do List’. Because a to-do list is negative; things that must be done. Whereas an ideas list is positive. Things you can do to make changes and improve your work, your job, your life. But without the pressure of a to-do list.
My preferred way of writing ideas down? Yep, the humble Post-It note! Because I can sort physical notes into groups really easily later. But you can use a digital method if you prefer.
I start writing my idea about 25% of the way down the note. To leave the top quarter free for later.
Organise Your Ideas Into Groups
Then organise your ideas into groups. Where those groups are the outcomes you want to achieve. For instance:
- Find yourself a new job
- Relaunch your website
- Finish XYZ project
- The objectives you’ve been set by your boss
And write down the group in the top left corner of your idea note (Remember I said to start writing your idea about a quarter of the way down the note?).
Personally, I organise my ideas into groups based on the services YourCoachApproach provides. For example:
- Coaching for Interior Designers
- Interior Design Career Success
- Business Growth
The key for you here, keep it simple. And if you end up with lots of groups, you should perhaps consider prioritising the most important. Or put another way, make sure you don’t have too many balls in the air at once!
Be Honest. Have You Started Work on Your Idea? Or Is It Still Just That, An Idea?
Next, it’s time to be honest with yourself. Are your ideas, just that? An idea. Or have you started work on them? There’s no right or wrong answer. Just be honest! I use the abbreviations ‘NS’ for not started and ‘WIP’ for [work] in progress. And write your abbreviation in the top right corner of your note.
At this point your ideas notes, each step on your journey to organising your interior design ideas, will look something like this:
Bring It All Together, Visually
Now a visual trick, to reveal something really telling. On a wall, digital space, or large piece of paper, create 3 columns. ‘Not Started’, ‘In Progress’, and ‘Done’. Next, group all your not started ideas under Not Started, WIP under In Progress. Then take a step back. What does the distribution of your ideas look like?
Which one represents you?
- A: Lots of ideas and nothing in progress? Although, you’re great on ideas. But it’s time for you to concentrate on delivery. As such, choose 2/3 ideas to start on. And get to work!
- B: Lots of ideas and lots in progress: Again, great on ideas. But you’re trying to keep too many plates spinning at the same time. So, concentrate on 2/3 ideas already in progress. And don’t start on new ideas yet!
- C: Lots of ideas and a few in progress: This is great! You’re being creative AND getting things done. Way to go!
To add to the argument why you should avoid spinning too many plates at once. When Toyota created their ‘Toyota Production System’ philosophy they classified anything ‘in progress’ as waste. Because anything ‘in progress’ has used up resources, but can’t (yet) be sold.
As for the ‘Done’ column, that’s the goal for each idea that leaves the ‘not started’ column. A completed outcome that helps you achieve your goal; find a new job, relaunch your website.
To bring organising your interior design together, add your groups to the visual representation of your ideas progress as rows. Like this:
The Final Step to Organise Your Interior Design Ideas, Be Motivated by Your Success
Once completed, leave your ideas in the ‘Done’ column. And take a snapshot every week. A photo or a screenshot. Not only will this show you which ideas are progressing. But also because each idea in ‘Done’ is a success. And success is a fantastic motivator!
5 Steps to Organise the Interior Design Ideas You Love
In conclusion, the 5 Steps to Organise the Interior Design Ideas You Love:
- Write Your Ideas Down. My preferred method is to write things on Post-It notes. As it makes for easy editing and organising later.
- Next, organise your ideas into groups based on what you want to achieve. For example, find a new job or finish Project XYZ. Write down the group in the top left corner of your idea note.
- Now be honest. Have you started work on your idea? Or is it still just that, an idea? Mark your ideas as ‘NS’ for not started and ‘WIP’ for in progress.
- Then bring it all together. Visually! On a large piece of paper, a wall, or digital media, group your ideas into columns (Not Started, WIP, and Done) and rows (your idea groups). And leave your completed ideas in the ‘Done’ column.
- Finally, be motivated by your success: Take a snapshot each week, to see which ideas of your ideas are making the most progress. Moreover, your ever-growing number of ideas in ‘Done’ is a powerful motivating factor!
And that’s it, how I organise my ideas. So I don’t lose anything. What about you? How do you organise your interior design ideas?
If you’ve enjoyed this article , then like it, share it, comment on it. And if you want more help, head to the YourCoachApproach Coaching for Interior Designers page. And see how I help people just like you!