When I go shopping, I normally make a list and bring a pen. This magically list serves two purposes. One it keeps me from spending too much, two it gives me a scratch pad to jot down notes about other customers when I'm out shopping. I tried a large legal pad, but got some evil looks from the clerks. :)

Anyhow, I know I think too much like an internet marketer or a geek sometimes and not enough like a consumer. This can jade our judgment on what people are looking for, so I let them (the consumer) tell me what they are looking for.