I want you to make a Pocket Notebook

If you've ever wondered if you can be a person who carries a notebook on them, I'm here to tell you that you can be. And if you haven't ever wondered, I'm here to tell you that you should be wondering. Okay, no burying the lead on this one, the premise is simple and straight forward:

I want you to make a pocket notebook.

The benefits of carrying a pocket notebook are great and abundant. Lets go through a number of them.

Outsourcing memory and organisational tasks to the notebook frees up your finite processing power for thoughts more interesting than remembering who you had to call back. Sure, outsourcing computing and memory sounds like a job for a computer, and yet people get a lot less annoyed when you pull out a notebook to jot down a recommendation. It also allows for a more linear recording of information, something I've been finding helpful for navigating older thoughts or tasks.

Carrying a notebook means you always have a space for passing ideas, meaning they are far more likely to get captured in their entirety, whether good or not. I also use mine to write down thoughts that are just stuck in my head, setting them free and unburdening myself. It often feels like this:

The flexibility of the notebook is also another strength, its a place for task lists, journaling, ideas, sketches, questions, recommendations, contacts, whatever your heart desires. Sometimes these are even all on one page.

When I want someone's details, it is so accessible to simply pass them my notebook and a pen. When I want to record dimensions or information only needed short term, it is perfect. When I just need to consolidate past pages, I simply begin on a blank page.

It also just feels good. The one motion from pocketed notebook to pen flying across paper feels magic. No interruptions between thought and record. Even as an avid typist, I still adore how it feels to write. No digital checkbox I've used even comes close to the pleasure of filling in those little boxes to mark a job done.

I can't, in good conscience, not also acknowledge how fun it is being perceived with a notebook. Pulling it out at parties has thus far been really fun and a cute conversation starter. In fact, I'm hopeful this post will be where I send you after that conversation. (If you are here from a first meet recommendation, welcome!).

A pocket notebook is now the most used tool I carry, its full power has only become apparent to me after many years of trying to study its magic. I've played with note taking for my whole life, trying all sorts of different systems to try to compile the thoughts that won't go away, to help with task management and even just to journal and doodle. My studies has revealed much about what it takes make a daily notebook part of your life and I have developed some core principals I apply to mine with great success.

Principal 1: No Fear

I ask you how many unfilled / unused notebooks do you currently possess? And why are they unfilled? I think I might know why.

You must not be afraid, young one, to actually write in your notebook.

There should be no hesitation between the thought and the pen hitting the paper. Whatever needs to be written down, shall be written down. Paper and ink are cheap and are therefore not to be given a holy status, they are consumable and are created to be consumed. Not consuming them would be a great disservice.

Treat them like trash, throw them around, put them through the wash¹, let them tear and shred and be filled with illegible handwriting. Use them.

Don't let them down by treating them the way your parents/school treated sharpies, like they are some mystical object to be cherished and protected. Love your notebook, yes, but love it by filling it.

Principal 2: Systems Shmystem - Practice

Many folks suggest that this fear subsides once you have 'the perfect system' for your notes. I think that is hooee. Its just an excuse to spend hours online watching others share their 'notebooking hacks you need to know' (P.S. you don't) and never actually put anything in a notebook.

Years of my experience trying to get a notebook off the ground have lead me to know that rigidity kills these books. They must flow with you needs and as you use them you'll find your own systems and workflows.

Just over the last couple of weeks I have found I some need for different task symbols to indicate things like, to contact someone, to look into, a question to ask, etc. So I've simply been playing with different shapes and have been finding what organically works for me.

Principal 3: Accessible

The first two principals I've slowly found out over years by a lot of trail and error but I've only had this final breakthrough in the last couple of months.

Accessibility is the most important thing you can do to actually use a notebook, but this principal can be easily mislead:

• A notebook in your cupboard is not accessible
• A notebook you leave at home because its too precious is not accessible
• A notebook at rummaging depth in your bag is not accessible
• A notebook you have to special order to replace is not accessible

You need to put your notebook on your person at all times, I am lucky enough that nearly all my tops have top pockets, but if you can fit your phone in a pocket, you can fit a notebook and pen. A bag can be good, but that bag must always be with you and you must be able to have pen and paper in hand in one motion.

You must be able to write at a moments notice.

A short aside about phones

"So why not just take notes on your phone? I have no fear typing in my phone, Its already on my person and I might already be doing it."

You can, and if its working for you, please don't let me stop you. But I felt that way for a long time too and oh how I was wrong. Firstly, actually pulling out your notes app is clunkier than you think, especially compared with the speed and ease of pulling out a notebook and pen. Secondly, pulling out your phone to take a note while you are in conversation is often perceived as rude and awkward. I am yet to have anyone react in anyway but positive to me pulling out my notebook to write down advice, a recommendation or an actionable (related to the conversation or otherwise). Lastly, I really love typing, so much I own three (3) typewriters and my work keyboard is a diy, hand-wired spilt keyboard, but typing on a phone sucks and I find it clunkier than almost all methods of thoughts to text.

Whilst I do still store certain notes in my phone, they are mostly long-term lists that would be unsustainable to transport to each subsequent notebook.

I have found the solution to all of these principals:

I Want You to Make your own notebook

Oh there it is again. Its almost as though I really want you to to make a notebook. Checkout the how to guide detailed in a separate post.

Creating your own notebook eliminates fear. You know how worthless it is because it only took you some scrap paper and 20 minutes to make. You know you can always make another.

The notebook can be and house whatever you need it to because its entire design is in your hands. It can fit in all your favourite pockets since you control how big or small it is. You can fill it with joy and personality so it whispers your name to write in it.

Make a pocket notebook. I dare you