Monday Mastery: The idea filter
Use this simple filter to choose writing ideas worth your time and energy.
Welcome to Monday Mastery, a series designed to shift your perspective, teach you new techniques, and help you become a more effective writer, one tip at a time.
One of the questions that comes up most often in the groups I’m part of is, “Is this idea worth writing about?”
As much as I want to be everyone’s cheerleader when it comes to writing, I have to admit, not every idea is worth spending time and effort on. Not when it takes you away from more meaningful projects, at least.
Not everyone is going to have a group to run ideas by, though, or time to wait for that feedback. So today I’m giving you a filter to run your idea through.
A good way to know that you should stop hesitating and start writing is if an idea meets these three criteria:
It reveals or touches on a belief you hold dear.
It feels like something you could get creative with.
You have data or research to support your thinking.
If your idea meets those three criteria, your energy and momentum are more likely to endure, and you’re more likely to end up with a result you’re happy with.
Belief leads to intrinsic motivation.
Creativity leads to enthusiasm.
Data leads to confidence.
These three things combined will keep you from fizzling out energetically and cognitively. So when you have an idea for a piece of writing, run it through this filter.
This also works when you have a list of ideas, and you want to choose the right one to work on next!