I’ve been thinking about what my notebooks are actually for.
Cal Newport, the renowned author of eight books, and probably best known for Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World (affiliate link), shared his thoughts on a recent episode of his podcast, Deep Life.
He asked a similar question: Should I use analog notebooks more often? His big takeaway for personal use is that he looks for notebooks to solve a problem, or to take on one task, and he tailors that notebook's design to serve the purpose. The analog planner he uses is made to structure and organize his day (he designed his own and has it for sale). The notebook he carries for daily notes is inexpensive and fits well in his pocket.
For Newport, The point isn't the notebook; it's the job it's meant to do. Solve a problem, serve a purpose.
I started a quarterly Field Notes subscription and received their latest release, Paletas, as my first delivery. The level of detail and attention that goes into what Field Notes creates is significant, and yet it never detracts from how functional beautiful they are.
Taking a page from Newport, I've already started giving some of my notebooks a specific job.
I’m using one for some specific professional development courses I’ve embarked on, and given the nature of modern training (computer and webinar-based), I’m trying to bridge the digital and analog divide by indexing digital documents so I can refer to them while taking notes by hand.
I’ve got another one in my pocket throughout the day, so I can grab a note without having to grab my phone.
And finally, I’m giving one to my young daughter, in hopes that she might start a journaling habit, or at least find a job for it that best suits her.
One of the struggles many people have with a new journal or notebook is the belief that it’s too special to use. In fact, given that you subscribed to a newsletter about journaling, you may be one of those people. To help you overcome that paralysis, grab that fancy notebook off the bookshelf and start with this prompt:
“This notebook was made for me to use as I see fit. What’s one thought I need to write down right now and why will I be better for it once I do?”
Give this one some time. For some, it can be really difficult to write in a “perfect” notebook. My mantra remains the same: the notebook is there to serve you, not the other way around. So start using it.
If this resonated with you, there's a good chance someone you know needs to hear it too. Pass it along, and they can subscribe here if it hits home. There's never any spam, and it's easy to unsubscribe.
|
|
Until next time, I'll see you on Threads and at 24 Letters. Thanks as always for your time.
-Joe
|
|
​
​