Shannon over at RocksInMyDryer (see my Blogroll) hosts a weekly idea-generating post called “Works-For-Me-Wednesday.” Until now I’ve never participated, but I have perused the ideas and come away with a few creative tips I’ve actually implemented. So today, when I was reading The Lazy Organizer’s “Sleep Training” post, I realized I had a perfectly usable idea to toss into the Works-for-me-Wednesday collection. So even though my blog has never been about recipes and organizing tips, I couldn’t resist offering you this one.

My MP3 has a recording option that has become my organizing/Works-For-Me-Wednesday-and-Every-Day tool of choice.

I originally bought it for my freelance writing business to record interviews. But as a writer, I’m continually thinking through my projects–generating ideas, developing topics, coming up with the perfect wording for a title or a great blog entry. I’m often in the car when inspiration hits, and it’s not convenient or safe to scribble everything down while merging with interstate traffic. Or I’m on the stairclimber and don’t want to stop.  

So I keep my MP3 player next to me on record mode. When something comes to me, I flip it on and speak my ideas into the microphone. It’s a great way to get rough notes down, or even a to-do list item that I might otherwise forget. I just transcribe them later when I have more time at the computer.

I can also capture my kids singing adorable songs or telling funny stories.

Author Anne Lamott advises writers: always carry a pen (and notecards). My new recommendation is to always carry a recording device.

Now if I only had a secretary to do my transcriptions…