Keep a Sparkfile

A Sparkfile is a bit of an old concept that has been quite useful for me over the years. It's basically a notes file about a topic that you keep adding and building upon.

The original rules are

• Keep it unformatted
• Add to the bottom
• Don't change the past
• Review for patterns and inspiration
• Remix past to come up with the future

Simple enough right?

Use it for anything

• Garden ideas
• Blog posts
• Travel ideas (someday)
• Side projects that you never complete 🤭

Go your own way

I've kept one in the Bear app for a few years. I tend to review, edit, format and add to it every so often. Everything is very brief so its packed with ideas I can work on.

Try it out. Start with one and make a few by topic. Use paper or any notes application you have access to.

References

• The Spark File | by Steven Johnson | The Writer’s Room | Medium – the original post.
• Keep a ‘Spark File’ to Brainstorm With Past Versions of Yourself | by Michelle Woo | Forge
• Defrag Your Brain With a Spark File
• Private Markdown Notes for iPhone, iPad and Mac | Bear App