On carrying a notepad
Jul. 29th, 2023 10:59 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
batlamblogsOf every organizational habit I've tried that fell into my usual adopt-and-drop pattern, the only one that's stuck has been carrying a little notepad and pen with me everywhere for when I need paper, for remembering something for use within the next hour or so, for shopping lists, and for scribbling down writing ideas when I'm inspired or bored. It's helped keep my thoughts somewhat organized compared to going without it.
What's different about this is that it isn't a system. There are no rules or goals for how I use my notepad. If something's done a certain way on each page, it's because it feels right to do it that way; every page has a header because that makes sense to me, and series of pages don't have to be right next to each other. I didn't pick it up because I felt I'd be more productive or focused if I adhered to some kind of notepad-based routine, I use it because I have a number of use cases for a notepad.
(By contrast, my to-do items are everywhere—they could be in there, on a sticky note in some conspicuous place, in MS To-Do at work, or wherever I think I'll see it at the right time. It's an un-system that works better than nothing.)
What's different about this is that it isn't a system. There are no rules or goals for how I use my notepad. If something's done a certain way on each page, it's because it feels right to do it that way; every page has a header because that makes sense to me, and series of pages don't have to be right next to each other. I didn't pick it up because I felt I'd be more productive or focused if I adhered to some kind of notepad-based routine, I use it because I have a number of use cases for a notepad.
(By contrast, my to-do items are everywhere—they could be in there, on a sticky note in some conspicuous place, in MS To-Do at work, or wherever I think I'll see it at the right time. It's an un-system that works better than nothing.)