For those that use a notebook, what have you found helps with these points? Maybe I use large sticky notes for 5x8 index cards stuck in the book for notes that I can remove? Or perhaps 8.5x11 folded in half? I'm also realizing that my paper reference filing system is broken, but that is another post for another day. A part of me would like to use one notebook for work and personal, with personal being forward-to-back direction, and work being the back-to-forward direction of the book. I have my long list starting on page one and continuing forward, and then I flip the book around and start from the last page going backward for my notes/ideas etc.
Is it so bad if a bunch of notes and information scattered throughout a notebook? I've started to try a physical notebook the past few days, at least for my personal tasks. Maybe the organization idea is overrated. I want all items in one central location, and I want to be able to capture and record ideas that can be organized. Basically, this is a problem of centrality and organization. When I freeform write too, I can't really rip out a page of my bound notebook to group it together with other similar items or file it away. Meeting notes, thinking and idea notes generated from Mark's writing exercises, general reference ideas-where do I write these down? In my notebook? But then I need to transfer them to another sheet of paper and file them away? This is a huge sticking point for me-the idea that my lists of tasks, reference, and checklists are going to be separated across multiple physical systems. With electronic, I can pull out my phone and add it to my list basically anywhere. I feel like I need to carry it around with me everywhere throughout the house in case I have an idea of something I need to, which sometimes feels bulky. I'm experiencing a coluple of downsides to a notebook though that are creating a lot of friction in the system: 1. I also want my kids to develop the habit of writing stuff down they need to do, so hopefully my example over the years will leave somewhat of an impression on their minds. I don't want my kids (a 1 year-old and another on the way) to see me inseparable from my electronics. My main reason for wanting to use a notebook is that I feel glued to my phone/tablet when I work my lists. It allows me to keep everything organized in it's proper list, yet all in one accessible place.
Workflowy bullet journal software#
The software WorkFlowy is also kind of fun to use. It also has the benefit of syncing across devices, so I can easily add to it wherever I am since I almost always have my phone nearby. I have a tasks lists, a reference list, and a checklist for each of my personal and work main categories.
My electronic lists have the benefits of having all of my lists in one place. I feel a struggle going on right now between using my beloved WorkFlowy electronic lists versus plain old paper and pencil.