What to write in a very small notebook. Heavenly Office: my notebooks and what I write in them

As I have said many times, what attracts me personally to notebooks is rather the form. My use of notebooks and notebooks is purely utilitarian - a diary for planning, a notebook for notes at work, and another book as a diary, which I keep extremely unevenly, in fits and starts.

For many, keeping a book (or rather several) has already become a system. I will introduce one of these systems in today’s article.

The power of paper notebooks

Everything I see and hear can be the spark for a new idea. I write it down immediately and then often leaf through old notebooks to find fresh ideas or make sure I haven't missed anything. I would advise all young people starting out in life to have a notebook with them. This is a good habit and worth getting into.

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin, billionaire

I carry a simple notebook with me everywhere. I write everything down there: ideas, thoughts, financial expenses, my actions during the day (timing). I don't use any electronic gadgets or mobile phone, although there are such opportunities there.

Benefits of use

Availability;
Reliability;
Convenience.

Flaws

Difficulty making changes;
High cost per unit of information;
Slow search in the archive.

How do notebooks help me?

Cache for the brain. As you know, no more than 7+-2 objects can be held in consciousness at the same time. Personally, I start having problems with four simultaneous entities. Writing on paper, visualization, and recording data helps to abstract from details and see the whole picture; or, conversely, by capturing the overall picture on paper, you can work well with the details. Helps with everything from planning monthly tasks to developing the architecture of a large application.
Time management. I write a plan for the day in a notebook (page in half, plan on the left, timing on the right). A monthly plan is kept in a notebook at home, etc. And then, there is an opinion that when you write on paper with your hand, you have a good effect on the subconscious.
Recording income/expenses. For the day - arrival, plan, expense.
Recording thoughts. It is very useful when a thought, as they say, is on the tip of your tongue, to take it and write it on paper, turn it this way and that, and formulate it finally.
Recording ideas. How many ideas have I missed because I was distracted for a second - and that’s it, I forgot. Now, having grabbed the idea by the tail, I hold it, take out a notepad, write it down - and everything is ready.
Recording conversations. During negotiations, I take notes of the conversation. It helps a lot to sketch out a plan of action later, without much difficulty remembering the main points.
Work records. You are communicating with someone, and suddenly you, or the person, has a need to draw/write - you take out a notebook, which is right there, and that’s it - mutual understanding has been found.
Sketchbook. Sometimes it’s interesting to draw something beautiful; it’s very convenient to do it on paper.
Address book. Writing down the phone number that is dictated to you on the other side of the receiver is much faster on paper (only a voice recorder is faster). And not: Contacts -> New -> Add -> Phone -> Mobile -> (entering a number), as, for example, I had on Nokia. Then, in quiet mode, I enter the number into the phone’s address book.

Conclusion

Using paper notebooks is quite controversial idea, in our age of high technology. However, having started using paper notebooks, I then got used to neither the iPhone, nor the Nokia organizer, nor various online notepads. There is something traditional and reliable about a small notebook that is always at hand, at home, at work, and on the road.

1. The first, and perhaps the most expected, is, of course, a personal diary. After all, you can write into it not only daily chronology events, but also your own brilliant thoughts, goals and achievements, memories and impressions, you can paste photographs, keep secrets and stories in it... you can’t list everything!

2. For recording dreams: and not only for recording, dreams can be expressed in drawings, you can cut out pictures from magazines and make up compositions and various associations on the topic of what you want, thus turning an ordinary notebook into a real book of fulfilled desires (precisely fulfilled, because that they will definitely come true!)

3. For recording dreams: I’m sure many people’s dreams are filled with incredible events, characters and sensations, because these are our own journeys through other worlds and spaces! Or perhaps, having once written down a dream, after some time you will be surprised to discover that it was prophetic... Just think how unique they are!

4. For recording ideas: if you are a living idea generator, then this is what you need! There will be much more room for new thoughts if the old ones spill out onto paper. In addition, this is also convenient because when you have no ideas, you can always search and be sure to find something new, but forgotten, in these records)

5. For drawing: if you know how to draw, then I think I don’t even have anything to say here) But if you have never done this, or have been doing this for a very long time, this great opportunity try yourself for the first time or again - besides, returning to your old drawings, you will clearly see how much progress you have made in new ones)

6. For writing: recording poems or songs of your own composition, or even writing a story or fairy tale, which, in turn, you can even illustrate with your own hands) Or you can rewrite your old works, thereby creating for them beautiful frame and a real handwritten book.

7. To create a quote book: you will probably have special quotes in your memory that are meaningful to you. A wise thought read or spoken in time can prompt great achievements or even unexpected conclusions: excerpts from books, fragments of films, lines of poems and songs, and, of course, quotes from great people - there is room for your creativity!

8. For inspiration: create your own inspiration book! This book will contain everything that inspires you: magazine clippings, your own photographs, or even pieces of art paper or fabric - depending on the area in which you create. This way, everything that helps you create will be right before your eyes!

9. To create your own encyclopedia: of course, what you like. For example, it could be a herbarium, into which, in addition to pasting leaves and flowers, you can also add your notes and sketches. Or expand the area - and add sketches of butterflies and insects, or even drawings and photographs of birds, paste in the feathers found nearby, and determine the species by their discovery)
This also includes reference books of a different kind - books for recipes, handicraft notes (knitting patterns, embroidery or weaving baubles); various fortune telling, signs and symbols, or even fantastic creatures! own imagination, for example

10. For travel: if you love to travel, or are just dreaming of it, create your own travel diary! Photos, drawings, maps, metro maps, tickets, foreign words, flags, overseas cuisine, hotels and interesting places, which are definitely worth visiting.. and then look at and remember)

What to write in a notebook, diary or notebook? You are faced with this problem if you received such an item as a gift or bought it for the first time.

There are either a lot of ideas or none at all. In addition, you feel sorry for spoiling the pages with nonsense written in clumsy handwriting.

We will figure out what to write in a notebook, notebook and diary. But first, let's clear a few points.

Differences between a notepad, notebook and diary

The difference between a notepad and a notebook is that the notebook is fastened at the top, and notebook on the side. Hence the prefix “book”. The notebook is also called a reporter, because this form factor is convenient for journalists.

Notebooks are often confused with notepads. It's wrong, but not fatal.

Notepad or notebook for planning. IN classic version, the pages of the diary are filled with special markings on which it is convenient to keep plans. But you can also use a regular notebook for planning and consider it a diary.

Notebook
Notebook
Diary

Notepad, notebook and diary are paper tools. Paper because they are made of paper. And tools - because they are used to solve specific problems. I do not claim to be the author of this term, but I use it within the blog.

Write what you want

This is a personal tool and only you can decide what to write in your diary, notebook or notebook. At least mark the boiling time of the kettle. You have every right.

Let go of the idea that your writing isn't deep or big. Paper is often used for small things like grocery lists. Write whatever you want. This is your thing, your ideas and your business.

In the article “What to write in a notebook, diary and notebook” I will give you several options. Use examples or ignore.

Records are universal

Examples of what to write in a notebook or diary are universal. Recordings can be made in any instrument. Of course, a diary is more suitable for plans, and a notebook for personal diary. But who dares to ban the mix.

I will briefly describe each idea. I have specified many of them in separate articles. Decide which of the above is right for you.

What to write in a notebook, diary and notebook

1. Goals, plans and lists

Paper tools are designed for time management. Plan, keep to-do lists, formulate and specify goals.

This is one of the most useful options paper use.

2. Personal diary

The usefulness of a diary is in no way inferior to planning. If you keep a diary in a notebook or notebook, you definitely won’t go wrong.

Share thoughts, reflections, experiences and feelings.

3. Creativity

Whatever you create, a notepad, diary or notebook will help you. Draw, write poems and stories, generate ideas and sketches.

4. Self-development

If you are engaged in self-development, a notebook will be useful to you. Record directions and successes, systematize knowledge, keep a list of books.

5. Ideas

Record every idea. Then re-read and decide what to do with them. Implement, postpone or throw away.

Ideas appear spontaneously. That's how they disappear. Grab it and pin it to the page. Who knows, maybe one of them will change your life.

Even the furry one knows what to write in a notebook or diary.

6. Thoughts

If you don’t want to keep a diary (point 2), then at least write your thoughts. Even in a business diary there is a place for them. Describe events, moods, states. Unload everything in your head. Get things in order.

7. Work/Study Notes

Depends on your main occupation. But no matter what you do, there is sure to be related information. Schedule, schedule, assignments, bibliography, etc.

Where else to write this down, if not in a notebook, notebook or diary.

8. Meetings, events

Both work and personal. Briefly summarize and highlight the main idea.

As the meeting or presentation progresses, write down everything that seems important. You will remember better and then use the notes.

9. Finance

It is easier to record small incomes in special applications. But it’s better to plan your monthly budget, trips, and events on paper.

Add a shopping list. Not bread, milk, cheese, but something more substantial. What you need to think about and plan in advance.

Summarize the financial results of the week, month and even year.

10. Questions and solutions

Sometimes questions pop up in your head that deserve attention. Write them down and reflect on them free time. The answers are similar to the ideas. They also affect life.

11. Control and analysis

To achieve results more successfully, control and analyze yourself. At the end of the week or month, take stock. Write what you did, what you didn’t do, and for what reasons.

12. Lists

Everyone loves lists. Books, films, travel and more.

Other notes

I will transfer the essence of this point to you. You know better.

What am I writing?

I love, write and collect notebooks. That’s why I lead four at a time. First- diary. My business lives there. Plans for the week and for every day. I also make any entries in the diary that relate to business: lists, expenses and income, ideas, etc.

The second notebook is a diary. For personal and indecent.

The third is creative. For thinking and creating texts. I have several directions in which I write. I allocated a piece of my notebook for each and I think about it, come up with ideas, and generally have fun.

The fourth is pocket. This is a kind of compromise between the previous three. In it, I can make a list of tasks (diary), write down what worries or interests me (diary), and sketch out an idea, the structure of the text (creative). I got a pocket assistant so as not to carry several tools with me. For trips out of the house and trips to other cities and countries.

This system suits my needs. I didn’t come to it right away, but after dozens, if not hundreds, of attempts.

Join the owners and admirers of paper stationery. They carry, in addition to benefits, a special charm. Soon notebooks and notepads will become something like vinyl records. Archaic, inferior to modern innovations, but at the same time they do not lose their audience.

Don’t think for long about what to write in your notebook, write. Carry it with you and take notes. Don't worry about form and content. You won't be able to come up with the perfect concept for using paper right away. And finally, get rid of the nonsense that your notes will ruin the notebook or ruin its reputation.

I shared ideas on what to write in a notebook, planner, and notebook. If your heart responds to some point, grab a tool and write.

Many people have notepad mania. For example, mine :)
A blank notebook is full of promise. You can think, create, express yourself. When you look at a blank notebook, you can't help but be tempted to grab a pen and start filling out its pages.
Despite the fact that there are a great many notebooks, large number people literally pray for Moleskine notebooks from the Milanese company Modo & Modo. At the Moleskine notebooks high quality, they are portable, you can take them with you everywhere, they have a pocket for storing notes. In addition, the pages have an excellent texture: it is pleasant to touch, and the pen does not leave a mark on the back side.

1. Journal of nutrition and exercise. Many people dream of having an excellent figure and excellent health. To achieve this, you must first watch what you eat and what exercises you do. Use a notepad to keep a journal of your diet and exercise routine.

Create a template to track what you eat. You can, for example, keep records according to the following principle: Date - Time - Item - Serving Size - Nutrients - Calories.

Additionally, create another template to track how much you exercise and how many calories you burn. To do this, you can keep records in the following sequence: Date - Time - Action - Duration - Calories burned.

2. Tracker of your time. A blank notepad can be used to write down how you spend your time. Determine once and for all where your time goes. Additionally, keep track of the following:

How much time do you spend on procrastination (putting things off until later)?
How often do you take breaks?
Do you work on one project or do you tend to multitask?
How much time do you spend working on your main life goals?

How much time do you waste on unnecessary work and unimportant things?

3. Expense tracker. Good use for a blank notebook is to use it to track expenses. Determine the following:

Do you spend money on unnecessary things?
What expenses can be cut?

Are you investing money in your education, income-producing assets, creating lifelong memories, or are you wasting it?

4. Start a “One Sentence Journal.” If you're short on time or writing isn't your thing, try keeping a "one-sentence journal." Every evening, write one sentence about your day. It could be the following:

"Today was a good day."
"A man talking on the phone while driving almost hit me with his car. My whole life flashed before my eyes."
"Today I finally finished my story."

If you do this for 5 years, you will have a 5-year summary of your life.

5. Start a Gratitude Journal. You've probably heard it many times: the key to happiness is to focus on the positive aspects of your life. And one way to make sure you do this is to keep a Gratitude Journal.

Scientific research has confirmed the enormous benefits of regularly writing down what you are grateful for in life. The easiest way to keep a journal is to take a few minutes every night before you go to bed to write down 5 things you are grateful for.

6. Write “morning pages.”"Morning Pages" is a kind of "test of the pen." They became famous thanks to Julia Cameron's book "The Artist's Way". The idea is to take time every morning to write three pages of your thoughts. Write everything that comes to mind. Describe the things that bother you, make a plan for the day, get in touch with your true desires(what you really want, not what society imposes on you).

7. Create Your Life Story. Make a list of prompt questions that will inspire you and start writing down your memories in a blank notebook.

Prompt questions could be: What is the meaning of your last name? What stories did your grandfather tell you as a child? What are your favorite summer memories?

8. Conduct an audit various fields Your life. It is very important to periodically evaluate different areas of your life in order to improve them and move forward. Such records can be kept in your notebook.

For example, if you track your energy, you can record your activity levels throughout the day in a notepad. Do you feel exhausted after communicating with certain people? Do you experience a burst of energy if you eat an apple during the day? How will you feel if you take a short nap?

9. Adopt Leonardo da Vinci's habit. Leonardo da Vinci had a habit of always taking a notebook with him wherever he went. He used a notebook to draw people, birds, objects that he could observe during his walks, to record thoughts and observations. The simple habit of writing down ideas allowed Leonardo to look at them more closely and improve them over time.

You can use a notepad, say, to write down the names of the characters in your future story, the name of the color you just opened, interesting dialogue things you heard, ideas for new blogs, poems you came up with, recipes you want to try, and any other thoughts.

10. Write down quotes that you like. It's so great to just sit down with a notepad of smart thoughts and immerse yourself completely in their wisdom. Start writing down quotes that you like, and soon you will have a whole notebook filled with motivational sayings that can boost your morale at any time.

11. Start keeping a diary. A diary is a description of your day. It also contains your feelings and thoughts about the events that happened to you during the day. Many people use special templates to help them keep their diary. You can make these templates yourself. This template can be used as an example:

This made me smile today;
This got me thinking;
This should have been done differently today;
This is what I learned today;
This is something good I did today;

12. Keep an art journal. An art journal is similar to the journal discussed above, but you can include drawings, sketches, and embellishments. You can also cut out pictures from magazines and paste them into your art journal, add photos and other visual elements.

13. Write down ideas from books you read. When you read a book to learn something new, it will be great if you make summary this book. by writing down the main ideas that you find interesting. This can be done in the form of regular notes or in the form of brain maps. Essentially, you turn your notebook into a repository of knowledge.

14. Keep a goal journal. A goal journal is a powerful tool for achieving these very goals. The benefit of writing down goals is that

This forces you to write down your aspirations, that is, take the first step towards their fulfillment;
Recording goals - great way make a plan to achieve them. This will help you overcome circumstances and difficulties that may come your way;
You will be able to track your progress;
This will force you to become more responsible.

15. Analyze your life. Socrates once said that life without analysis is incomplete. We cannot achieve personal and spiritual growth, if we don't take time to reflect on our lives.

One of the best ways Analyzing your life means asking yourself the right questions that will prompt you to the right thoughts.

16. Make your Wish List. Take a blank notebook and make a list of what you would like to do in your life. Write things down like this:

Visit Paris in spring;
Go to the carnival in Rio de Janeiro;
Go to the Super Cup;
Take the family to Disneyland;
Write a novel.

You can also use a Moleskine or any other notebook to write your Book of Possibilities - a kind of “Guide to Dreams”.

17. Use it for writing exercises. If you want to become a writer or improve your writing talent, you should write as often as you can. To keep your writing muscles toned, find a collection of interesting essay topics and use it for writing exercises.

18. Start keeping a Language Journal. When you teach new language, it is incredibly important to write down everything you learn. You can use a journal for this. Here are some things you can include in it:

Write down every new word for yourself;
Write grammar rules;
Write down the study method you follow, note how effective it is;
Write down common mistakes you make so you can work through them later.

A simple notepad can help you improve your life. What will you do with your notebook?
Here's my video for those who like to listen more

Translation of the article http://daringtolivefully.com/things-to-do-with-a-notebook

You were given a notebook, and you were offended by such a person because of the useless gift? In vain, because a notebook is empty pages full of promises. When looking at blank pages, it's almost impossible to resist the temptation to grab a pen and start filling it out.

Unfortunately or fortunately, so far no application has been able to come close to the sensations that a physical notepad gives. It has a lot of advantages: you can draw, write, paste anything into it, cross out, draw tables and change your handwriting. With the right level, you can turn it into a masterpiece of art. Here are some tips on how you can use notepad in your everyday life(in addition to traditional recordings).

Food and Workout Journal

Many people have fitness goals and... The two main pillars of any sport and physical activity- This:

what you eat
what exercises do you do

Create a template to track the food you eat. At the top of the page write the following: date, time, dish, serving size, nutrients, calories.

Create another template to keep track of physical exercise and how many calories you burn. At the top of the page, write the following: date, time, activity, duration, number of calories burned.

Track time

You can use a notepad to keep track. Find out once and for all where it disappears. Additionally, keep track of the following:

How much time do you waste due to procrastination?
How do you deal with irritants and distractions?
Do you complete tasks one at a time or work on several at once?
How much time do you spend on the most important goals in your life?
How much time is spent on non-essential tasks?

Track spending

Keeping track of where your money is going is a good and wise strategy. Keep an eye on the following:

Do you have frivolous expenses?
What expenses should you cut?
Are you investing your money? For example, into education, into income-producing assets, into new experiences?

Start journaling one phrase

If you have very little time or want to challenge yourself, try keeping a journal in which you write down only one phrase per day. No more. This will help you become more aware and learn to put maximum meaning into a minimum of words.

If you keep a diary like this for five years, after this period of time you will receive a real time capsule of your life.

Start a gratitude journal

You hear and read it again and again: the key to happiness is to instill in yourself the habit of gratitude. So when you start a gratitude journal, you will finally understand why there is so much talk about it.

Research conducted by psychologists has found many benefits from the regular practice of writing down the things you are grateful for. The easiest way to keep a gratitude journal is to write down five things you are grateful for every night before you go to bed.

Morning Pages

The idea is to write three pages immediately after waking up. Just write everything that comes to your mind for three pages and then stop. Use morning pages to solve problems that bother you, plan your day, and understand your true desires.

Conduct an audit of your life

For example, you began to notice that for the last few months you have been barely surviving until the evening - you are so exhausted due to lack of energy. Start tracking your energy levels throughout the day. Do you feel drained after interacting with certain people? Maybe you should eat an apple and see how it affects your energy levels? How do you feel at the end of the working day?

Copy the habit of Leonardo da Vinci

Leonardo da Vinci developed the habit of always taking a notebook with him wherever he went. He used it to make sketches of people, birds or objects he saw on his walks, and to record ideas and observations.

With this habit you will be able to:

Record the content of a conversation overheard in a cafe
Come up with the names of characters in your novel
Capture random thoughts

Write down your favorite quotes

Start writing down quotes you love and soon you'll have a notebook filled with inspirational sayings that can help lift your spirits at any time.

Art magazine

The art journal includes drawings, doodles, and embellishments. It can also just be a list of your ideas: good and not so good. You can also cut out images from magazines and paste them into your art journal, and include photographs and other visual elements.

Goal log

Such a journal is an excellent tool for achieving goals. Benefits of keeping a goal journal:

Writing down your goals on paper is the first step to making them a reality.
Writing down your goals is a great way to create a plan to achieve those goals. Additionally, it can help you identify any obstacles you may encounter along the way.
A goal journal allows you to record your progress.
The goal journal allows for reporting.

Bucket List

Bucket List is a list of things you want to do in your life. Agree, it’s stupid to keep this list in your head, especially since you can’t keep everything. And in a notebook you can also think and plan. Do you want to go to Disneyland? Create a map of this goal.

Use a notepad for writing exercises

If you want to become a writer or improve your craft, you need to write as often as possible.

Learn a language

When you're learning a new language, it's incredibly helpful to keep track of everything you're learning. You can do this by using a notepad to create a language journal. Here are some of the things you can include in your language journal: