One thing I’ve always been good at … not letting ideas, thoughts, memories disappear, forgotten, never to be recaptured. My mantra? The weakest pencil stroke is better than the strongest memory.I’m asked a lot, “Bob, how do you remember all that stuff?” I don’t. Just don’t. You see I’ve learned a few techniques over decades that might help you remember all your stuff too.1. Never be without a pen and paper close at hand…I have a small pad and pen next to the sink in my bathroom. Shower thoughts… how many times have you had these? I write them down! Quotes, thoughts for client issue, a great idea for someone’s birthday. Have a pad on my bureau, in the kitchen. Same thing. Stuff comes to me… Opps! Hook it… catch it before it runs from away from my memory.

I used to be so anal about all this that I had a lighted pen and pad next to my bed for those deep sleep revelations. A recorder in the shower if might forget something from shower to sink.Pen and paper close at hand.2. Document everything …Example: I have a “Coaching Tool Box.” Simply a document labeled in Windows that houses all the techniques, ideas, sessions with clients, coachies that I’ve experienced and gathered, well… forever. I counted them a few years ago. Over 600 hundred, categorized by so subject, application, objective. When I hit a snag in a coaching session or client relationship? Right to my toolbox. “Ahh, there it is. Now I remember.” Most thoughts and ideas are not really discovered. They are just uncovered… been there all along, to be retrieved. Thus the premise.. There are not as many great new ideas… as there are old ideas recycled.Set up your own idea file. Quotes, memories, ideas that you will own. Another truism?… “Great visions exist twice. Once in the mind, and then on paper.” Until it’s in black and white it doesn’t exist.3. In meetings, interviews, even lunches… have a pen and paper.

When I tell people I jot down ideas, thoughts during a lunch, they say, “Gee, that’s kinda rude.” Oh no, I always ask permission. “Is it Ok with you if I take note?” I’ve never had anyone say no. This not only helps me capture the good stuff, it shows respect, true interest in what my lunch partner has to say!

Take notes in meetings, when interviewed. whenever you can.Last thing on this one. A Pen trumps the key stroke… every time. There is something absorbing about writing vs tapping on a computer. What I write down tends to stay with me when I write something it seems last longer. Try it.4. Create a “special letter box”

I have two large mahogany boxes my daughters gave me that house all the letters, cards, notes, emails I’ve received over the years. From my family, friends, those I coach, have coached… special people in my life who took the time to share a thought or sentiment about our relationship. I work alone.

Today my work is my hobby. My passion is helping people grow. But being by myself there are times I get down, subdued. When I do, I take out one of my beautiful mahogany boxes and read… and read. Magically I fill myself with gratitude for all the blessings recalled by the many messages I have stored. Beats taking pills… believe me.Think you get the picture. I’m writing this early my first morning on enchanting Harbor Island with my Nancy, Lisa and Sam. Just the four of us. Just as we were for 25-30yrs. No precious grandchildren, no in laws, no distractions. Just us.

As we were before our beautiful daughters started their own families with all the daily challenges and joys along the way.I have pen and paper close at hand. Sure don’t want to miss all the wonderful memories of four precious days.