If you spend countless hours searching for the perfect note-taking setup or research extensively on creating a second brain, then this video is for you.
Note-taking is a vital skill, but the idea of a ‘perfect’ system is a myth that often leads to procrastination, as you get lost in watching tutorials and reading articles about it.
Continuously lured by new features, many of us yield to the temptation of switching apps. However, this transition often leads to another form of procrastination—the process of transferring notes.
The overwhelming array of apps such as Notion, Obsidian, Roam Research, OneNote, and others further compounds the issue, amplifying the challenges at hand.
I have been through the same – and In this article, we will explore actionable methods to reduce procrastination and make the most of your note-taking practice.
Let’s dive in and reclaim the essence of effective note-taking!
Stick with ONE tool.
The idea here is simple — pick ONE app and commit to it, for at least six months or a year.
No going back and forth, no exporting notes – There is no exception for this rule.
The app itself doesn’t matter. What matters is your dedication to using it whenever you want to capture an idea or a thought.
There will be many apps and features that will come out during this period that will make you go — “Wow, that is perfect for me. That is exactly what I was looking for” — but, remain steadfast in your decision.
Stay committed, do the work, and resist the distractions.
Don’t copy-paste. Think.
Your notes should reflect your individuality.
It represents how you think, how you process your thoughts and your unique perspectives – Treasure that.
The act of ‘copy-pasting’ notes robs you of your originality. And because they are not your notes, you rarely internalise and learn from them.
While certain notes, like meeting minutes, may require capturing spoken content verbatim, this approach often falls short of serving your ultimate purpose. With these notes, cultivate the habit of condensing and summarising the ideas in your own words.
Embrace the power of infusing your own ideas and thoughts into every note you jot down, imprinting them with your unique essence – that’s where the magic happen.
Think Projects — Actions are the way to go.
Another area that most people procrastinate on is structuring their notes and trying to make them more accessible.
It is a noble thought, but you often get caught up in the process of creating an intricate web of nested folders.
Rather than solely focusing on structuring note folders for ease of finding, the key lies in linking notes to actionable items, ensuring their utilization.
A practical approach involves organising notes based on projects. Consider the project you are currently working on or researching, and gather all relevant notes within a dedicated folder. Once the project is completed, archive the notes for future reference if needed.
Projects are your actionable goals. In my case for example, I structure my note folders around article titles, around a learning topic (like animation using Figma) or around a trip that I plan to take.
Be action oriented.
Be Consistent.
If you want one key takeaway from this article, let it be this: Be Consistent.
Regardless of other factors, consistency is paramount. Without consciously investing your thoughts and efforts into consistent note-taking practice, it becomes a futile endeavour with no tangible results
Discover subjects that ignite your curiosity, explore topics that have the potential to captivate you, express your opinions, embrace learning opportunities, and find joy in them. Write, learn, and take notes consistently.
Success is bound to follow—it’s only a matter of time.
Final Thoughts.
Isn’t it ironic? Here I am, advising not to read articles about the perfect note-taking system – and yet crafting an article on the very subject, hoping people will read it.
But sometimes, it’s essential to bring awareness to this issue because many of us have unknowingly fallen into this trap for far too long.
It took a conscious effort on my part to break free from this habit of mine. However, I must admit, I still catch myself peeking at the app setups of people I admire from time to time.