The One-Sentence Content Ideation Framework

Ever had one of those moments where you were sure you’d remember something, so you didn’t write it down… and of course, you forgot it later?

As a scientist, you quickly learn that you can’t retain all the experimental parameters, results, and literature references in your head.

Believe me, we try.

And fail.

Every time I was convinced I would remember, I obviously forgot. And this is how I became a rigorous protocol keeper.

Now, with content ideas, it’s pretty much the same story all over. But instead of having a lab notebook to write down my progress and new thoughts, I have Apple Notes and a bullet journal.

We are surrounded by stories, past and present, that are worth telling.

Don’t fall into the same trap. Write your content ideas down.

In this edition, I’ll introduce you to Homework for Life.

By Matthew Dicks

Not everything is content.

Many stories I collect will be guarded in my database. Some will be incubated and refined. Others, I write in an instant.

But to have this luxury of choice, you first need to build a database of ideas to pick from.

The practice of collecting content is hard. Just like you forget to take a picture of a meaningful moment, I constantly forget to take a note of things I don’t want to forget.

What makes it a little easier? Homework for Life.

The idea is simple: find one storyworthy moment from your day and write a single sentence about it.

Ask yourself: What is my most storyworthy moment today?

Then, write it down in your favorite note-taking program. Matthew uses Excel. I use the free version of the Day One app. The tool doesn’t really matter as much as the habit.

Committing to one sentence a day means less friction. The idea is that you can go back to your notes and easily expand on your one-sentence entries at a later point.

Some days it will be something ordinary. Others, a meaningful achievement. Most of the time, for me, it’s something that caught my attention, like a quote or a mindset shift. The choice is up to you!

I can see what Matthew Dicks means when he says that it’s one of the most valuable assets that one can create for themselves.

I started at the beginning of the year with homework for life to collect milestones, tiny celebrations and moments of reflection and progress.

If you are just getting started with homework for life, watch Mathew Dicks’ TED talk or read this article here.