How do you keep notes?
How Do You Keep Notes About The Things You Have Learnt?
I'm curious to know if and how you keep notes. Some people don't bother but many others do.
- Some people keep notes on Post-it Notes.
- Some people keep notes on a notepad.
- Some people keep notes in a Word Document.
- Some people keep notes on dictaphones still.
- Some people keep notes on their mobile devices.
- Some people don't keep notes at all!
There are lots of ways to keep notes, some of them far better than others.
Do I Take Notes and What Do I Use For Note Taking?
Personally, I take notes all the time because I don't want to forget what I have learnt.
There's nothing worse than having to repeatedly research something that you have previously researched at least once and then forgotten about.
This wastes so much time in your life when you could be doing something else far better than old research!
I love to use technology. Why not? It's here to make our lives easier, isn't it?
Ok, I know there are those out there who fear technology but technology is commonplace and here to stay! It should also be embraced!
OneNote
I use a Microsoft 365 product called "OneNote" and I have to confess I have only started to use it over the last year or so. So my old Microsoft Word note-taking days are over as OneNote for me is the best thing since sliced bread in my opinion
Honestly, it has changed my life and I am far more productive now.
Why Do I Like OneNote So Much?
OK OneNote has loads of great features and I have listed a few of the many below:
- You can create Notebooks for anything you like (Household Jobs, Work projects, Business Ideas etc.)
- Each Notebook contains Pages like any normal notebook
- A notebook can also be configured to use Sections to further split up your notebook.
- You can share Notebooks
- You can include pictures and any other files you wish. So you could add emails, photos, screenshots and so on to your page.
- OneNote also offers a search facility that then enables you to look for a keyword to find your notes.
- Your OneNote synchronizes with the Cloud so you can have it on all devices and have your notes with you wherever you go.
I love OneNote, it's awesome!
If you already Have Microsoft 365, you will probably find you already have this product available to you.
The only downside I had initially was learning how to use it but after a little while, it all fell into place and I haven't looked back!
Tell me, what do you use for notes and will you consider Microsoft OneDrive going forward?
Recent Comments
62
Gylnn, good tip about MS OneNote. I have it on my devices but haven't used it. I use the Notes app on my iOS devices (iPhone and iPad). Notes app also included on my desktop for my M1 MacBook Pro.
See photo below.
This app has been useful for me. Its fast and easy for me to access and type right away on my iOS keyboards. That app saves everything that I write down.
Notes can be accessed and scrolled down by title topic, open the notes. I use the command C (Copy for Mac users) same as Control C ( Copy for PC users). Open MS word then Command P (Paste-Mac users).
My whole article is in MS Word, title it then save. The same thing is done on iOS but it is a little different just press the app, open, then click for copy and then paste in MS word app on my iOS devices.
It will be a good experiment for me to try OneNote in MS app and see how that fares better than MS Word. I never use Google Doc, Jay our trainer uses that. I did try to use it but felt many features are missing that I can get from my Office 365.
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for your comments.
I have used Notes on the iPhone and still do but I still prefer OneNote as it does so much more. However as mobile devices are so small anyway, then I would only use a mobile if really necessary. My eyes are not as good as they used to be!! :-)
All the best
Glynn
Thanks for your response. I wear glasses so I can see on my devices no problem. Bifocals, I am both nearsighted and farsighted with corrected lens, I can see just fine. There is a zoom feature and also magnifying glass available on my MacBook Pro. Jay’s training is hard to see. I use them in the replays.
Thank you for your comments Brenda, much appreciated.
I think everyone's eyesight sadly goes at some point in life.
All the best,
Glynn
Yes, it is part of the aging process. I am 1 1/2 years away from being age 60, you look younger than me. Hope you have a great week and weekend. Stay productive!
For the longest time I used OneNote. I liked the ability to create sections for my main topic and then break the sections into pages.
Last year I began using Notion. It’s fabulous. The ability to move notes anywhere I want is particularly useful I’m trying to figure out how to move some of the notes in one note to Notion. I’ll keep trying.
Thanks for the comments, much appreciated.
I will have to take a look at Notion as others are mentioning it too.
Wishing you all the best.
Glynn
I have tried all of the above, Glynn, including OneNote. I agree with you, it is an awesome app!
90% of the time I keep things in my head.
It was different, of course, when I was in school, but even then I wasn’t a big note-taker since the info was usually all in the textbook.
These days, I’ll screenshot things like email addresses, etc., or make a note of really important things in my iPhone notepad or Calendar if it’s an appointment.
I have a cousin who wrote down almost everything over the years so he “wouldn’t have to remember it,” and his memory is awful.
Memory is like a muscle. You have to use it to keep it in shape, assuming you don’t have dementia.
Everyone has their way of doing it and I totally respect that. 😊
Frank
Thanks Frank!
Yes the world is changing and there are so many ways of doing things now. Technology is taking over rapidly.
You do worry though that with all this tech, our bodies are going to start failing and in need of technological implants to keep us going. haha.
Give it a few years and we will all be cyborgs or similar!! :-)
Thanks again for the comments!
Glynn
I think you're right, Glynn.
We have so many electronic gadgets in the house that I'm always fixing or rebooting something!
However, I refuse to let it rob large amounts of time that I spend with my wife or playing music.
We have entered the era of wearable informational and biometric technology. The next step will be implantable devices and a "hive" mentality, or try to live totally off-grid, even though "Resistance Is Futile." 😊
Frank
Hi Glynn
For notes that I want to refer back to, I use "notion.so", which I use for more or less everything... personal, business, ideas, research, writing etc.
However, if I really want to learn something, I find handwriting works best for me.
:-)
Richard
See more comments
I use the backs of envelopes, pen and paper with a spiral notebook, an Office Document, whatever is handy, Glynn.
I've thought about OneNote, but I truly use my cell phone for other things. Good thoughts though.
Jeff
Thank you for your thoughts Jeff.
Have a great day!
Glynn
You probably wouldn't believe the stuff I've written on the back of envelopes, Jeff! 👍 😊
We're not big data-entry people. I bought my wife an iPad Pro and she uses it with wireless headphones to watch movies while she's cooking.
Frank
I have stacks of old envelopes to decipher before I trash them, Frank.
Jeff
You're very welcome, Glynn!
Have a GREAT day, as well, my friend!
Jeff
Oppenheimer sketched the initial plan for the first atomic bomb on a dirty cocktail napkin. 😎
Wow, Frank! The cocktail napkin that changed the world, and likely not for the better in retrospect!🙄
Jeff
Yes, unfortunately not for the better, up till now- anyway. I saw it at the Smithsonian.
It makes the point that if you can do amazing things, you don’t need computers, except for the most powerful one of all - which is between your ears! 😊
Very true words, indeed, Frank!