Hi all,
I'm trying to move to one notebook at a time. But I'm having a hard time separating everything into one notebook. I've heard of people having systems to be able to organize and find information. Anybody have any suggestions on how I can get started? Assume I could put anything in the notebooks, fiction writing, letters, journal entries (probably not drawings unless I had to).
It really gets difficult keeping track of many notebooks at a time. I just want one that I take with me everywhere.
Edit: I'm using Apica notebooks with 100 pages in them. They are pretty cost effective and FP friendly.
Edited the title...I just couldn't resist.
Full Version: One notebook to rule them all?
Use a zipped binder (like a Flanklin Covey planner) I use one, the rings are large enough for lots of paper, I can put loose stuff in it and zip it closed. Then I do not have to worry about losing anything.
I do not use the FC planner pages. I use a combination of DIY planner pages from the 'net, and calendar scheduling pages that I designed myself. Everthing is printed on a color laser using an FP firendly paper (Staples 28#Heavyweight Printing Paper).
I do not use the FC planner pages. I use a combination of DIY planner pages from the 'net, and calendar scheduling pages that I designed myself. Everthing is printed on a color laser using an FP firendly paper (Staples 28#Heavyweight Printing Paper).
QUOTE(griffin2020 @ Apr 7 2008, 10:15 AM) [snapback]570009[/snapback]
Use a zipped binder (like a Flanklin Covey planner) I use one, the rings are large enough for lots of paper, I can put loose stuff in it and zip it closed. Then I do not have to worry about losing anything.
I do not use the FC planner pages. I use a combination of DIY planner pages from the 'net, and calendar scheduling pages that I designed myself. Everthing is printed on a color laser using an FP firendly paper (Staples 28#Heavyweight Printing Paper).
I do not use the FC planner pages. I use a combination of DIY planner pages from the 'net, and calendar scheduling pages that I designed myself. Everthing is printed on a color laser using an FP firendly paper (Staples 28#Heavyweight Printing Paper).
I've never been one for binders. I more just want to use one notebook at a time. When it's done I'll start another. Maybe that's more clear. Thanks for your input though! I appreciate it.
If I wanted to keep just one notebook, it would have to be looseleaf with dividers in it. The thing would have to be huge, though. It would be aggravating to carry something like that everywhere. Possibly a more useful minimal system would be to keep a huge binder at home and carry a thinner one out and about. Download pages and resupply as needed.
I carry a pen and a homemade pocket notebook everywhere. They go in a shirt pocket or a cargo pocket on a thigh. Ideas, words to remember, names, addresses, everything small and condensed goes in there. Every few days, the small stuff gets downloaded into my commonplace book. Large ideas get acted upon and written about in a write-and-revise process that eventually lands them in topical journals.
For work, I used to use a medium format loose leaf binder for technical stuff: pin-outs, register assignments, cable orientations, calibration parameters, etc. I bought special paper with cloth/plastic binding on the "hole side" so the pages couldn't tear out. It was organized with dividers and tabs. It went with me everywhere at work and in the field for 16 years. It was backed up both on paper and on microfilm.
Paddler
I carry a pen and a homemade pocket notebook everywhere. They go in a shirt pocket or a cargo pocket on a thigh. Ideas, words to remember, names, addresses, everything small and condensed goes in there. Every few days, the small stuff gets downloaded into my commonplace book. Large ideas get acted upon and written about in a write-and-revise process that eventually lands them in topical journals.
For work, I used to use a medium format loose leaf binder for technical stuff: pin-outs, register assignments, cable orientations, calibration parameters, etc. I bought special paper with cloth/plastic binding on the "hole side" so the pages couldn't tear out. It was organized with dividers and tabs. It went with me everywhere at work and in the field for 16 years. It was backed up both on paper and on microfilm.
Paddler
QUOTE(cmenice @ Apr 7 2008, 09:53 AM) [snapback]569986[/snapback]
Hi all,
I'm trying to move to one notebook at a time. But I'm having a hard time separating everything into one notebook. I've heard of people having systems to be able to organize and find information. Anybody have any suggestions on how I can get started? Assume I could put anything in the notebooks, fiction writing, letters, journal entries (probably not drawings unless I had to).
It really gets difficult keeping track of many notebooks at a time. I just want one that I take with me everywhere.
Edit: I'm using Apica notebooks with 100 pages in them. They are pretty cost effective and FP friendly.
I'm trying to move to one notebook at a time. But I'm having a hard time separating everything into one notebook. I've heard of people having systems to be able to organize and find information. Anybody have any suggestions on how I can get started? Assume I could put anything in the notebooks, fiction writing, letters, journal entries (probably not drawings unless I had to).
It really gets difficult keeping track of many notebooks at a time. I just want one that I take with me everywhere.
Edit: I'm using Apica notebooks with 100 pages in them. They are pretty cost effective and FP friendly.
I use the Apica notebooks as well. Although I keep two journals, one for work, one for everything else, I have a pretty simple system. I'm sure you're aware there is an index page in the front. I write down a few buzz words on this index page, then as I work through the journal, I write down the page number of a page that references that buzzword or tag. I also, tend to write the buzzword at the top of the page that has info about it too.
The other is partitioning days as you go. This is a hard one to pull off if you don't have a good idea of how much you want to write, or if the length of your entries is subject to vary. In my case, I'm pretty consistent, I usually write about 3 pages per day with my handwriting which is pretty compact. Based on whats going on that day, I'll have a general idea of each subject I'll be writing about and how much I'll probably write based on past experience. This is a hard one to do if you're not consistent.
Sounds to me the best system is the buzzwords system above. I think I have about 20 buzzwords in my work notebook and I only add once in a while.
-Zac
I use cheap composition books. In addition to writing, I tape, paste, glue, and otherwise fasten paper inside it. I find that one book is good for three or four months.
I suggest you number the pages, then create an index. I do it like this (I only number the page-fronts; approximation is good enough: In the front or back I make a list of 1-100 for each page. Then I start using it. As I start a new day, I enter that day in the index. If I put something significant on the page, that I want to reference later, I put it on the index. A partial index might look like this:
1 - 1/1/08 -- Client meeting notes. Kirkuk article
2 - 1/2/08, 1/3/08 - Change Plan Worksheet, Bus schedule, Hemingway quote
3 - 1/5/08 - In-flight exercises, hours report,
4 - 1/6/08 - document collections
5 - 1/7/08 - garage door notes,
6 - 1/8/08, 1/9/08 - Kimya Dawson, project plan, pc maintenance contract
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
...
When one book is full, I move on to a clean one. If the old one has stuff that I need (bus schedules, meeting notes) I either photocopy and tape, or just rip the pages out an glue them into the new book.
One book for everything. It works.
I suggest you number the pages, then create an index. I do it like this (I only number the page-fronts; approximation is good enough: In the front or back I make a list of 1-100 for each page. Then I start using it. As I start a new day, I enter that day in the index. If I put something significant on the page, that I want to reference later, I put it on the index. A partial index might look like this:
1 - 1/1/08 -- Client meeting notes. Kirkuk article
2 - 1/2/08, 1/3/08 - Change Plan Worksheet, Bus schedule, Hemingway quote
3 - 1/5/08 - In-flight exercises, hours report,
4 - 1/6/08 - document collections
5 - 1/7/08 - garage door notes,
6 - 1/8/08, 1/9/08 - Kimya Dawson, project plan, pc maintenance contract
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
...
When one book is full, I move on to a clean one. If the old one has stuff that I need (bus schedules, meeting notes) I either photocopy and tape, or just rip the pages out an glue them into the new book.
One book for everything. It works.
QUOTE(jmkeuning @ Apr 7 2008, 10:59 AM) [snapback]570110[/snapback]
I use cheap composition books. In addition to writing, I tape, paste, glue, and otherwise fasten paper inside it. I find that one book is good for three or four months.
I suggest you number the pages, then create an index. I do it like this (I only number the page-fronts; approximation is good enough: In the front or back I make a list of 1-100 for each page. Then I start using it. As I start a new day, I enter that day in the index. If I put something significant on the page, that I want to reference later, I put it on the index. A partial index might look like this:
1 - 1/1/08 -- Client meeting notes. Kirkuk article
2 - 1/2/08, 1/3/08 - Change Plan Worksheet, Bus schedule, Hemingway quote
3 - 1/5/08 - In-flight exercises, hours report,
4 - 1/6/08 - document collections
5 - 1/7/08 - garage door notes,
6 - 1/8/08, 1/9/08 - Kimya Dawson, project plan, pc maintenance contract
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
...
When one book is full, I move on to a clean one. If the old one has stuff that I need (bus schedules, meeting notes) I either photocopy and tape, or just rip the pages out an glue them into the new book.
One book for everything. It works.
I suggest you number the pages, then create an index. I do it like this (I only number the page-fronts; approximation is good enough: In the front or back I make a list of 1-100 for each page. Then I start using it. As I start a new day, I enter that day in the index. If I put something significant on the page, that I want to reference later, I put it on the index. A partial index might look like this:
1 - 1/1/08 -- Client meeting notes. Kirkuk article
2 - 1/2/08, 1/3/08 - Change Plan Worksheet, Bus schedule, Hemingway quote
3 - 1/5/08 - In-flight exercises, hours report,
4 - 1/6/08 - document collections
5 - 1/7/08 - garage door notes,
6 - 1/8/08, 1/9/08 - Kimya Dawson, project plan, pc maintenance contract
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
...
When one book is full, I move on to a clean one. If the old one has stuff that I need (bus schedules, meeting notes) I either photocopy and tape, or just rip the pages out an glue them into the new book.
One book for everything. It works.
I agree with this - the composition books are reasonably fp friendly and taping into/removing from the book is really easy with Scotch removable tape (blue package). The whole Franklin Covey/Circa/At A Glance thing just doesn't work for me.
My other suggestion is to use the large size hardcover Black & Red (spiral), and install elastic a la Moleskine. I've done this for my wife's purposes and it's easy, cheap, and looks great...AND the paper works well with her new rOtring Skynn. These have one pocket in the front and an index.
QUOTE(jmkeuning @ Apr 7 2008, 11:59 AM) [snapback]570110[/snapback]
I use cheap composition books. In addition to writing, I tape, paste, glue, and otherwise fasten paper inside it. I find that one book is good for three or four months.
I suggest you number the pages, then create an index. I do it like this (I only number the page-fronts; approximation is good enough: In the front or back I make a list of 1-100 for each page. Then I start using it. As I start a new day, I enter that day in the index. If I put something significant on the page, that I want to reference later, I put it on the index. A partial index might look like this:
1 - 1/1/08 -- Client meeting notes. Kirkuk article
2 - 1/2/08, 1/3/08 - Change Plan Worksheet, Bus schedule, Hemingway quote
3 - 1/5/08 - In-flight exercises, hours report,
4 - 1/6/08 - document collections
5 - 1/7/08 - garage door notes,
6 - 1/8/08, 1/9/08 - Kimya Dawson, project plan, pc maintenance contract
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
...
When one book is full, I move on to a clean one. If the old one has stuff that I need (bus schedules, meeting notes) I either photocopy and tape, or just rip the pages out an glue them into the new book.
One book for everything. It works.
I suggest you number the pages, then create an index. I do it like this (I only number the page-fronts; approximation is good enough: In the front or back I make a list of 1-100 for each page. Then I start using it. As I start a new day, I enter that day in the index. If I put something significant on the page, that I want to reference later, I put it on the index. A partial index might look like this:
1 - 1/1/08 -- Client meeting notes. Kirkuk article
2 - 1/2/08, 1/3/08 - Change Plan Worksheet, Bus schedule, Hemingway quote
3 - 1/5/08 - In-flight exercises, hours report,
4 - 1/6/08 - document collections
5 - 1/7/08 - garage door notes,
6 - 1/8/08, 1/9/08 - Kimya Dawson, project plan, pc maintenance contract
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
...
When one book is full, I move on to a clean one. If the old one has stuff that I need (bus schedules, meeting notes) I either photocopy and tape, or just rip the pages out an glue them into the new book.
One book for everything. It works.
I like this... I might give it a try as currently I'm hauling several around. Not such a big deal, just bulk and weight in the messenger bag.
After using lots of different journals and notebooks, I settled on the Apica 6A10. With 100 pages it can hold a lot of material. Category or keywords noted at the top of a page along with underlining important words in the body of my entry works well for me. At the bottom of the page, I note the pen and ink used along with comments so my journal is my reference for that subject, too. Simple but effective.
I use Levenger's Page Points to temporarily mark passages that need to stand out or to remind myself of something on a page that is incomplete or needs further attention. They are tidy, stay put well and are easily removed when no longer needed. I keep a couple on the index page so they are always at hand.
I use Levenger's Page Points to temporarily mark passages that need to stand out or to remind myself of something on a page that is incomplete or needs further attention. They are tidy, stay put well and are easily removed when no longer needed. I keep a couple on the index page so they are always at hand.
I used to use Moleskines a lot.
I numbered every right hand page - this is easier to do with an automatic stamp, but at £40 I never got around to buying one, although it has been on my birthday list for some years.
I wrote an index in the back with the briefest of details of each page. This tends to be more useful in "reference" moleskines that I keep on clever Excel stuff etc.
I only write on the right hand pages saving the space on the left to put notes in where I need to make an addition to what is on the right hand page.
I used index tags from Post-it or similar - colour coded for pages that still needed actions to complete the page (right side), another colour for reference pages (left side) and yet another colour or a paper clip for the next available blank page (bottom). This refers to the Reporter style notebook.
Always put your name and address in the front of the book. If not address at least a phone number.
I always offer a reward if it is returned.
I always put £5 in the pocket in the back along with a business card, use an envelope if no pocket. The fiver can get you out of difficulty when you realise that you have left home without a wallet or you have only got large notes where you need to pay a bill that needs a small note. It can also provide the postage costs to get the book posted back to you.
I always put a small label on the back of the book and file it for reference when it is full. My journals are labeled Diary 2007 Q1, Diary 2007 Q2 etc. etc. Use something like a Brother labeler.
I have seen sites that let you print out a paper ruler. This can be useful to carry around.
I got into David Allen's GTD. Try it. It might work for you.
I numbered every right hand page - this is easier to do with an automatic stamp, but at £40 I never got around to buying one, although it has been on my birthday list for some years.
I wrote an index in the back with the briefest of details of each page. This tends to be more useful in "reference" moleskines that I keep on clever Excel stuff etc.
I only write on the right hand pages saving the space on the left to put notes in where I need to make an addition to what is on the right hand page.
I used index tags from Post-it or similar - colour coded for pages that still needed actions to complete the page (right side), another colour for reference pages (left side) and yet another colour or a paper clip for the next available blank page (bottom). This refers to the Reporter style notebook.
Always put your name and address in the front of the book. If not address at least a phone number.
I always offer a reward if it is returned.
I always put £5 in the pocket in the back along with a business card, use an envelope if no pocket. The fiver can get you out of difficulty when you realise that you have left home without a wallet or you have only got large notes where you need to pay a bill that needs a small note. It can also provide the postage costs to get the book posted back to you.
I always put a small label on the back of the book and file it for reference when it is full. My journals are labeled Diary 2007 Q1, Diary 2007 Q2 etc. etc. Use something like a Brother labeler.
I have seen sites that let you print out a paper ruler. This can be useful to carry around.
I got into David Allen's GTD. Try it. It might work for you.
I would recommend creating your own tabs. Simply take two adhesive labels, apply one to each side of a page edge with your preferred overhang. As they stick together, the overhang is strong and the label and page will not tear. This has the advantage of not being as thick as page points or paperclips. I use it with spiral Black n' Reds all of the time.
QUOTE(cmenice @ Apr 7 2008, 06:53 AM) [snapback]569986[/snapback]
Edit: I'm using Apica notebooks with 100 pages in them. They are pretty cost effective and FP friendly.
Edited the title...I just couldn't resist.
Edited the title...I just couldn't resist.
Do you have access to a print shop with an industrial punch? You could punch the Apicas and then carry them in a binder.
As for me, my need insert paper as needed lead to a Junior sized disk bound (rollabind) unit with several tabbed dividers. I print, cut, and punch my own custom cornell notes templates and am very happy with how well this system has worked for me.
I would like to second the rollabind approach. In the UK we get ADOC, and it is possible to order Clairing (from clairefontaine). all sytems can work together, but the mushrooms in rollabind are ever so slightly different from ADOC/clairing.
My own notebook has ADOC covers/dividers, Rollabind disks, and Clairefontaine paper (from clairings), and any number of bits and pieces punched with a rollabind punch. When matter gets old, it is transferred to an archival notebook with really humongous disks.
Good luck with your search.
My own notebook has ADOC covers/dividers, Rollabind disks, and Clairefontaine paper (from clairings), and any number of bits and pieces punched with a rollabind punch. When matter gets old, it is transferred to an archival notebook with really humongous disks.
Good luck with your search.
Thanks for all the replies. There is a lot of good stuff in here. I think what I am looking to do is some form of a commonplace book. I've never tried such a thing, but hey if it helps me be more productive then great! I'll try most things at least once. Now I just have to start writing in the notebook instead of keeping everything in my head.
I think I read somewhere, on this forum, about Ben Franklin's system for keeping things organized. It wasn't explained, but mentioned. I tried a search for this, but can't figure out what that system looks like. Anyone know?
I think I read somewhere, on this forum, about Ben Franklin's system for keeping things organized. It wasn't explained, but mentioned. I tried a search for this, but can't figure out what that system looks like. Anyone know?
Never heard tell of a system of organization by Ben Franklin.... But there is a well known one from Franklin Covey...
Of course just because I haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Of course just because I haven't heard of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
Have you tried the Rhodia Epure line?
Juan
Juan
I think I read somewhere, on this forum, about Ben Franklin's system for keeping things organized. It wasn't explained, but mentioned. I tried a search for this, but can't figure out what that system looks like. Anyone know?
[/quote]
'
Go to Franklin Couvey. Franklin's system is embedded in the Franklin Planner System. It is actually wonderful. I have used it for about twenty years. It takes several hours to explain, it is a disipline. The methodology is captured in the planning pages... including ways to index stuff outside the system (notebook). Classes from them used to be wonderful. But now they are mixed with using the electronic verisons and paper at the same time. It muddies it up. You end up with a large ring binder... that you do not have to open more than once a month. Although you end up once a day. I have gotten some high end paper cut as additional pages. All I can say is the system is truely brilliant, but it is a way of life. If you hate organizing... then you will probably hate the system. If you are generally and organized person, with stuff getting out of control, take the class, they are offerered in every major city. JD
[/quote]
'
Go to Franklin Couvey. Franklin's system is embedded in the Franklin Planner System. It is actually wonderful. I have used it for about twenty years. It takes several hours to explain, it is a disipline. The methodology is captured in the planning pages... including ways to index stuff outside the system (notebook). Classes from them used to be wonderful. But now they are mixed with using the electronic verisons and paper at the same time. It muddies it up. You end up with a large ring binder... that you do not have to open more than once a month. Although you end up once a day. I have gotten some high end paper cut as additional pages. All I can say is the system is truely brilliant, but it is a way of life. If you hate organizing... then you will probably hate the system. If you are generally and organized person, with stuff getting out of control, take the class, they are offerered in every major city. JD
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