People are different – there are those who always write everything down, then there are those who only sometimes take out their “little black booklet”, others type something into their cell phone more or less often, and still others simply have a chaos of notes, files and URL favorites. Which type do you belong to? And are you happy with the way you record information and later retrieve or process it?
In this and the next blog article, I will look at various aspects that will help you to put your note-taking and writing habits to the test and provide you with food for thought. Here I would simply like to put together some basic information about note-taking.
Real pen or everything in the PC/mobile phone?
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Digital | – Simple (because it can also be structured retrospectively)
– Easy searchability – Ability to synchronize across different devices – Integration with other digital tools |
– Dependence on technology
– Distraction through notifications – App closed, info out of sight, out of mind |
| Analog | – Physical interaction with paper, which can promote memory and creativity | – Limited searchability
– If necessary, many individual sheets or if in notebook: notes on the same topic not “together” – Always have notebook with you |
But it’s not that black and white. Even the most die-hard “paper people” also write things down digitally (URL favorites, appointments in the calendar, tools that are specified at work…) and vice versa. I have never met anyone who works completely paperless. And this is exactly where the chaos often begins: Where did I write this down?
It therefore makes sense to examine your own habits from time to time and look at what may have crept in as a new habit and what this has done to your productivity (more rest or more stress)? Take time to review your current methods and consider what improvements you can make. My self-reflection questionnaire can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and take targeted action to improve.
Best of Both Worlds?
If you’re like me, you end up somewhere between analog and digital. You don’t always want to think about which notebook you have to carry where or spend ages leafing through the notebooks until you find the notes for meeting XYZ, but you don’t want to do without the real feeling of writing with pen and paper? Then I definitely recommend an eInk tablet.
The writing experience is great (not like a normal tablet, where the pen slips and you have to contort your hand so that you don’t touch the screen with the pen at the same time…). You can view the notes later on the PC, save them there and sort them. You could also convert handwritten texts into text (which I rarely do, because I often use visual methods for my handwritten notes, which help me to remember everything better when I look at the notes again).
Structured filing is the key
No matter how you take notes – without a clear filing system, you will probably not be able to find your notes again (or not at the time you need them). A clear and consistent structure (across all media and devices) helps you to find notes (or documents) quickly. Use meaningful names and categories to organize your files. This applies to both cases – folder usage as well as a logical structure with metadata or tags.
It is important to regularly review and adjust your note-taking habits in order to increase productivity and reduce stress. You are welcome to use my self-reflection questionnaire on the subject of note-taking.