Today I broke my own rules from The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint… then remembered why they exist. I tried to type a workshop outline straight into a doc at the café (hello, friction and tab-opening). So I shut the laptop, ordered a long black, and went old-school: one idea per index card. Suddenly the ideas poured out, the structure revealed itself, and now the only problem is what to cut.What I coverWhy linear tools (docs/slides) can choke early-stage ideasMy café routine: long black, closed laptop, stack of coloured index cards“One idea per card”: how that unlocks subtopics, sequences, and linkagesUsing symbols, tiny sketches, and 2x2s on cards to spark connectionsSorting → building → writing transitions (in that order)How to avoid research rabbit holes while ideatingWhen I still use Post-its vs when index cards winTry this (mini playbook)Leave the laptop shut.Set a 45–60 min timer.One idea/story/data point per card (no full sentences).Mark research items with a “?” and keep moving.Cluster cards into themes; promote/demote subtopics.Lay your “through-line”: intro → 3–5 beats → close.Draft only transitions next. Slides come last.Little cheats I useSymbols: ➡️ transition, ★ key line, Ⓠ audience question, ☁️ story, ? research laterColour code: e.g., blue = data, yellow = stories, pink = exercisesQuick visuals: Venns, simple graphs, 2x2s sketched right on the card“Stuck?” rule: swap the card, don’t open a tabResources I mentionedIndex cards (I grab mine from Officeworks / discount art & craft stores)The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint (my method for fast, engaging design)Your turnTake a photo of your card spread and tag me—I love seeing how your talks and workshops take shape.Sign up for free for my best articles every week: Work Fame.Show notes for every episode at https://podcast.leannehughes.comP.S. Ready to take things up a level? Here are some ways I can help:Watch My 2025 Speaker Reel: Let's energise your next event.Get My Book: Design your workshops fast using The 2-Hour Workshop Blueprint. Let's connect on all the channels:Leanne Hughes on LinkedInLeanne Hughes on InstagramVisit my website: leannehughes.comEmail me: [email protected] you like to deliver your own private podcast feed to your audience? Sign up for a free trial today at Hello Audio.

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