I’m sure you’re thinking this title sounds interesting or maybe even that it doesn’t really make sense. 🤔 And I’d think the same. But being the person I am, with all kinds of thoughts coming to mind — and most of them going unfinished back into my brain’s corner — I thought I’d now just take the time and write this out as soon as possible before I let it slip away unfinished again. Wow, that was a long sentence. But let’s get started.
So what does it mean to quickly write down unfinished thoughts before they slip away? Here’s my explanation of it. So often I find myself — and I’m sure you do too — having a very interesting thought come to mind. Like, “How could I start my online business with blogging?” or “This is what I could do in my spare time to make extra money,” or something else that somehow really inspires you. It’s like this thought sparks something in you and, for some reason, makes you happy and even helps you enjoy the current moment you’re in. It’s not complete, not filled with all the details and steps on how you would actually get it done, but it’s there. And then it’s gone. And so is your motivation for ever doing something like that. And then you continue with whatever you were doing.
Maybe that thought will come back later sometime. Maybe some other day or month. But why did you let it slip away? Maybe that was an instinct from God, a hint that there is something more you could still do with your life or something better you could pursue. You’ve been dreaming so long of what else you could do with your life, and this thought came in — but now it’s gone. Maybe this was the missing piece you needed to complete that one half-finished project. But what use is it to whine about it now? What can we do to not have that happen again? To not have these golden thoughts slip away? Well, in the next few paragraphs I’ll try to explain what I’ve started to do that has helped me — and actually got me to write this blog.
How This Blog Got Written
Today is April 25, 2025, as I’m writing the draft of this blog. And the first thought of ever writing something like this actually came to me three days after Christmas, on December 28, 2023. That’s when I suddenly got the idea that I should start writing down the thoughts that come to mind or any other unfinished ideas. So I grabbed my phone, opened my Notes app, typed the day in this format — 12.28.23 (because it’s quick) — and then typed out my thought. It was two paragraphs long and I just typed without thinking. Because I didn’t want to let it slip away again. And if you think too much, it will slip away.
And there it sat in my Notes app while I completely forgot about it. It just sat there gathering dust all the time until today. Today, I got the motivation to write another blog. But my mind was empty. I couldn’t figure out anything to write about. So I went into my Notes app and searched “blog.” After scrolling a bit, I noticed this note and opened it. I read the two paragraphs and was at first a bit surprised, wondering if I actually wrote that. But after reading it the second time, I did remember that I had indeed written it. That’s when I realized how completely these thoughts can fly away, never to be thought about again. But the good thing is, this one I wrote down. So here I am now, taking the time to finish this thought, writing this blog, and encouraging you to do the same. You never know what you’ll do with your unfinished thought in the future, or what good it will bring you.
No New App Needed
So now you’re probably thinking, “Okay, what new kind of app do I have to use then to do this?” Because everyone is always about, “Oh, I need a new app for that.” We always like something new. Because the one I’m using now won’t work for that — I don’t like it. Well, I’m here to give you good and bad news. Let’s start with the bad news: you won’t be getting your little dopamine kick from getting or purchasing a new app. It doesn’t require one. The good news is, you can use exactly that Notes app that you already have on your phone and get started. Or maybe you’re more of an analog person and like to write. Well, good news for you too — you can just use the notepad you are already using. Or buy one for 2 bucks at Walmart. And with those simple tools that you already possess, you can get started.
Setting It Up Properly
So how do you set it up to get going properly? Depending on what kind of Notes app you have, you’ll either create a new folder or a new tag. I’m using the Bear Notes app, which uses Tags to organize notes. But I know that some Notes apps like Evernote or Apple Notes use folders. And if you’re using Notion, that app is built differently. I’ll explain that here later too.
Start by making a new tag or folder named “Unfinished Thoughts.” And you’re pretty much ready. Now, every time you get a quick thought in your head, open up that folder and add a new note. Always start the note name with the date — you’ll appreciate that in the future. Write the date like this: month.day.year — so April 26, 2025, would be 04.26.25 — and then write out your thought below. If you’re using tags, just create a new note and then make sure to tag that note so that it organizes into the tag list. Always create a new note for each thought. That way, whenever you do come back to that thought, you can continue with it exactly there in that note.
And if you are using Notion, create a new page and name it “Unfinished Thoughts.” Then add a bullet list below the title where you can add a new thought on each line. Something like this:
- 04.26.25 - Could I start my own blogging website and make money without running ads on it?
Whenever you need to continue with that thought, click on the little dots on the left and turn it into a page, where you can then continue writing.
Analog Version
If you use the analog version of creating notes, here’s how to get started. I use the Bullet Journal Method, so this will be similar to that. Turn to a new page and title it “Unfinished Thoughts.” Go to your Index and add “Unfinished Thoughts” and the page number beside it.
If you’re not using the Bullet Journal Method, you might not have an Index. So maybe bookmark that page or write it down somewhere else so you can quickly find it. Write down your thought like this:
- 04.26.25 - Could I start my own blogging website and make money without running ads on it?
At the end, leave space to write down a page number in the future. So whenever you want to continue with your thought, turn to a new page, title that page with the current date and the title, then go back to your “Unfinished Thoughts” page and beside that line of thought, put the page number of the new page you just created.
And when you are doing this, really take the time to finish the thought in depth. Now that you have the motivation and flow going, do it now!
Conclusion: It’s Really That Simple
So, as simple as that! Maybe you’re thinking, “That is way too simple!” Well, I agree. But it’s always the simple things that we avoid that stop us from getting to where we want to go in life. It’s the little things we do each day, accumulated over weeks, months, or years, that actually bring us to where we want to be. So to actually get going, don’t give it too much thought — just get started!
I’ve really enjoyed writing this blog and hope that it has been helpful for you. Please leave a comment below with your thoughts, or what has helped you finish your unfinished thoughts.
Until next time!
