Why keep a physical notebook for work?
The benefits of keeping a physical notebook for work are numerous. For one, it allows you to physically write down your to-do list, which can be helpful for those who prefer to physically cross things off their list. Additionally, it can be easier to keep track of your tasks and priorities when they are all written down in one place. Additionally, a physical notebook can be a great place to store important information and documents, as well as a record of your work. This can be helpful for those who need to reference information frequently, or who need to keep track of their work progress. Finally, a physical notebook can be a great way to stay organized and on top of your work. Overall, there are many benefits to keeping a physical notebook for work, and it can be a great way to stay organized and efficient.
How to organize a paper notebook for work
You will save yourself time if you take a few minutes every day to organize your notes. At the end of the day, I like to go through my notebook and create a table of contents. I’ll go through each meeting and add the relevant notes, action items, and follow-ups under the correct heading. That way, I have an easy-to-navigate system.
The next morning, I’ll go through and check off any action items I completed the previous day, and then I’ll write down my new to-do list. I also like to go through my notebook at the end of the week and create an overview of the week. I’ll write down what meetings I had, what my focus was for the week, and then a quick overview of the main topics I discussed. That way, when I look back on my notebook, I can easily see what my focus was for the week and review the main topics I discussed.
Why is writing by hand important?
If you’re like most people, you probably spend a good chunk of your day staring at a computer screen. And while there are certainly benefits to working in a digital environment, there are also benefits to writing by hand.
For one, writing by hand can help to improve your memory. When you write something down, you’re essentially creating a physical representation of the information that you’re trying to remember. This can help to create a stronger connection between the information and your memory, making it easier to recall later on.
Writing by hand can also help to improve your creativity. When you’re constantly typing on a keyboard, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of thinking and writing in a very structured and organized way. But when you’re writing by hand, you’re forced to think a little bit more creatively. This can help to stimulate your imagination and come up with new ideas.
Finally, writing by hand can help to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. When you’re constantly typing on a keyboard, you’re constantly focused on the screen in front of you. But when you’re writing by hand, you’re able to let your mind wander a bit more. This can help to reduce stress and improve your overall mood.
So, while it’s certainly important to make use of technology in your work, don’t forget the benefits of writing by hand. It can help to improve your memory, creativity, and well-being.
Tips and tricks on taking good notes
You probably already have a system for taking notes in meetings and calls, but if you’re working on a big project, you’ll need a way to keep track of all your ideas, to-dos, and random thoughts. I like to use a physical notebook for this.
It can be hard to keep a notebook organized, so here are some tips and tricks I’ve learned over the years:
- Date every page. It doesn’t matter if you fill up a page a day or only once a week—dating your notes will make it easier to find what you’re looking for later.
- Divide the book into sections. I like to have a section for each project I’m working on, but you could also divide your notebook by client, department, or type of note (e.g. ideas, to-dos, questions).
- Number the pages. This is a trick I learned from my editor, and it makes it super easy to refer to notes you took a while ago. Just add the page number in the corner every time you start a new note.
- Don’t worry about being neat. It’s fine if your notes are messy. The point is to get your ideas down on paper, not to make a work of art.
Writing is calming and therapeutic
For me, writing has always been calming and therapeutic. I’ve kept a physical notebook for work for years, and there are many benefits to doing so. It helps me feel more organized, I can review my notes easily, and writing by hand helps me feel calmer and more focused.
When I first started using a physical notebook for work, I was skeptical. I thought it would be a lot of effort to write everything down by hand, and I wasn’t sure it would be worth it. But I was quickly proven wrong. Writing down my thoughts and ideas by hand helps me to better process them, and I find that I am able to come up with better solutions to problems when I write them down.
In addition to helping me to better process my thoughts, using a physical notebook for work also helps me to stay organized. I can easily flip through my notes and find what I need, and I don’t have to worry about losing anything. And finally, writing by hand is simply enriching for me. It helps me to focus and to feel more connected to my work.
