If your best business ideas are scattered across 14 journals, 8 folders, and an avalanche of voice memos... you’re not alone.
You’re also not broken.
You’re brilliant. And wildly creative.
But without a system to capture and revisit those ideas, you risk drowning in your own genius. That’s where a creative container comes in.
In this post, we’ll cover:
- Why ADHD brains struggle with scattered ideas
- What a creative container actually is
- How to build one that works for your unique brain
- A simple ritual to help you review and act on what matters most
Why You Have a Million Ideas and Still Feel Stuck
If you have ADHD, your brain likely spends more time in the Default Mode Network, the part of your brain associated with creativity, imagination, and daydreaming.
That’s why:
- You’re constantly coming up with new solutions
- You have 20 new ideas before you finish your coffee
- You struggle to actually capture or act on most of them
The result? Scattered energy. Missed opportunities. And that frustrating feeling of “I know I had a good idea… but where did I put it?!”
What’s a Creative Container (And Why You Need One)
A creative container is a lightweight system that lets you quickly capture your ideas, store them in one central place, and revisit them later without killing your creative momentum.
It’s not about organizing, executing, or making a task list. It’s about saying, “This is gold. I don’t want to lose it.”
Think of it like putting your ideas in a sandbox. You have it somewhere safe, visible, and ready for play when the time is right.
(And if you’re spinning your wheels at the start, read our guide on how to get unstuck and get rolling with any task!)
Examples of ADHD-Friendly Creative Containers
There’s no “right” tool. The right system is the one you’ll actually use. Here are a few that Stephanie and other ADHD entrepreneurs swear by:
Stephanie’s Favorite: A Slack Channel With Herself
- Instantly voice-text, write, or screenshot into one stream
- Syncs across phone & computer
- Easily searchable
Google Doc or Notes App
- One file titled “Creative Container”
- Starred or pinned for fast access
- Works on all devices
Project Management Board (Trello, Notion, ClickUp)
- Dedicated “idea inbox” column
- Great if you’re already managing tasks there
- Easy to drag into action later
Voice Memos or Google Voice Thread
- Especially useful for verbal processors
- One thread, one app. Don’t overthink it
Pocket Notebook (Old School Still Works!)
- Perfect for tactile brains
- Keep it simple, like a Moleskine and pencil
- Transfer what’s useful weekly
Whatever tool you choose, keep it ridiculously easy to access. If it takes more than two clicks, your brain will bail.
How to Build a Creative Container That Actually Works
1. Identify Where Your Ideas Naturally Land
Think about it: When inspiration hits, where do you instinctively go? Your phone? A notebook? Slack? Lean into that.
2. Choose a Single Place to Capture (And Stick With It)
Consolidate. It doesn’t need to be pretty, it just needs to be centralized, and help you rescue ideas from oblivion.
3. Set a “Review & Refine” Ritual
Don’t just capture. Circle back.
- Pick a consistent time weekly or monthly
- Either you review your container
- Or have a VA go in, sort viable ideas, and send them back in a usable format
Pro tip: Don’t organize as you go. Let the frozen potato idea sit. Clarity comes later.
Keep It Stupidly Simple (KISS)
Seriously. If your creative container feels like a second job, your brain won’t use it.
This is not your to-do list.
This is not your execution plan.
This is your idea vault.
You’re not creating a report or a scrapbook. You’re saving brilliance.
Try This Tool: Bublup
If you're still figuring out your system, Bublup is a great free app that lets you:
- Store voice notes, links, images, and checklists in one place
- Create folders for themes (like marketing, offers, client ideas)
- Visualize your ideas without getting overwhelmed
It’s ADHD-friendly, device-synced, and easy to set up in under 5 minutes.
Capture the Gold Today
Your brain is not the problem. And the chaos that comes from losing track of your best ideas? That is solvable.
Creative containers let you honor your natural creativity and stay anchored in momentum. The goal isn’t control, it’s clarity.
Need help turning your saved ideas into action plans that work for your ADHD brain?
Check out Grow Disrupt’s ADHD Business Events, designed for how your brain actually works, not how the world thinks it should.