A simple productivity tip I like to use on a daily basis is to write things down. Note making doesn’t necessarily require any fancy equipment. Essentially, all you need is a pen and a notebook. For me, note-making, journalling and writing things down are important and are something that everyone should do.
You don’t have to use a pen and paper; there are apps such as Evernote, OneNote and Notion that allow you to create notes on your phone or laptop. Here are some key reasons why note making will change the way you work.
Creates Clarity
One reason I create notes is so that I can create a to-do list of things I want to achieve in a day, week or month. This helps create clarity as I have now decided and written down what tasks have to be done, without leaving things to chance or having to remember – this usually causes people to forget things because our brains can only remember so much.
I also like to write my daily systems, a to-be list and my thoughts on how to achieve something.
By writing things down, I can create clarity on the actions that I need to accomplish as well as what I need to do in order to become the person that I want to be.
Frees Your Mind
As well as creating clarity with what you want to achieve, note making helps free your mind of worry and anxiety. Journaling is a method that many leaders use on a regular basis. Writing down your thoughts (good or not so good) helps again to clarify what you are thinking. Whether it was a project that didn’t go well, a failed job interview or a tough music practice session; writing down what happened can help diagnose the situation. You can write the scenario, and the good and bad points and write your own conclusion.
For me, this is a great method of overcoming doubt and anxiety. It helps me feel calmer by writing down problems I have and to solve them. I also like to write about my wins and express what worked well.
Something to Refer to
Note making is great for creating journal logs so your future self (or someone else) can learn from them. Many times at work we encounter similar issues, so by writing these things down we can refer to them later. The more detail the better you will be able to understand what to do later.
Never underestimate note taking. It is a seriously undervalued tool that musicians, product and project managers and gardeners can do. My friend, Jamie (Peach Perfect Gardens) swears by taking notes and writing things, which helps him deliver the best work he can possibly do for his clients.
Try note making today for a small productivity boost.
