Pencils, Paper and Erasers
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One of the great misconceptions about notebooks is that they are only useful for writing things down.
Sure, most of the time, when you write something, you want to keep it, and remember it later. But not always. There are times when an eraser is your best friend and it makes sense to leave your ballpoint at home.
That’s why today, I am going to present you this ode to erasers.
Photo by Hybridotus
I use paper for three different purposes (actually more than that, but the line is blurry, so I’m sticking to this story: three it is):
- Notes: I’m always carrying a notebook and a pen in my pocket so that when the sudden inspiration strikes, I can write down the thought before it escapes my mind. Lately, I have increased the number of notebooks to three so that I have separate notebooks for article ideas, stories and anecdotes, as well as one for general note taking.
- Drafts: I can’t help it, but when I think, I must waste paper. I draw diagrams that are incomprehensible for anyone other than myself, I scribble down keywords to my ideas, I build mind maps. For this, I try to use paper that would go to waste anyway, like the backsides of prints, ads, napkins, etc.
- Tasks: This is what we’re going to talk about today. I have tried using all kinds of computer based solutions. I have used calendars. I have used my phone. But none of them has ever worked for me for writing down and tracking my progress with the tasks that I need to be working on. Luckily, some time ago, I realized that I can use a pencil and an eraser, and have been happily using a paper based task list ever since.
The Problem With Software
I don’t know about you, but I have two major problems with computer-driven task lists:
- I can’t carry them with me everywhere. This might change if I had an iPhone, but I don’t, so even the best online options such as Ta-Da List or Remember The Milk are out of the question. If I can’t have my task list with me when I’m away from my computer, what’s the point of having one? It’s not like I would sit at my desk 24/7 (OK, so what if I did? I’d still want to have the task list next to me instead of wasting valuable screen real estate with it).
- They are not flexible enough. I like to draw over the borders. If I feel like drawing a web page mockup or logo sketch next to my to do list item, that’s what I want to be able to do, not create an attachment and upload it to my task system. If I feel like drawing a circle around a task, I really want a circle, not a star or some other symbol saying that this task is important. If I… well, you get the picture.
So far, I have never found a piece of software that could fill both of my requirements.
On the other hand, there is this age old technology known as paper. It does it all. And more.
Todoodlist - and Tapping to the Power of Paper
I read a lot, but it’s rare for a book to have as big of an impact on my every day life as Nick Cernis’ fabulous little e-book, Todoodlist.
Todoodlist, taglined “Technology is great. Pencils are better”, is a book about simplifying productivity and giving up on gadgets that only complicate the tasks that they are trying to help us track. That’s an idea that resonates perfectly with me. But even better than that, the book also presents clearly defined blueprints for a paper based task tracking system: the Todoodlist.
I decided to give the Todoodlist method a try, and ever since it has stuck to me. I can’t do back to regular to do lists any more, instead I always doodle my tasks in the form of this more organized, more visual structure.
This is where erasers come handy.
I always try to doodle my Todoodlists with a pencil so that when a task is done, I can erase it from the task list. This way, the list won’t get crowded with old information that I no longer need, and I can see my status with just one glance at the piece of paper. But whenever I make the mistake of using a pen, my task list is full of remarks and deprecated notes in less than half a day of work, which means that the list has already become unusable.
So, as you can see, erasers can not only help to hide your mistakes, they can also save space, both on paper and inside your mind. Not to mention saving paper, and nature.
What about you?
Do you use pencils and erasers? Or are you a die-hard pen fanatic? (I used to be like that, and I still have a weakness for black pens)
How about paper in general? Have you tried the Todoodlist method, or are you happy using online task tracking tools?
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August 6th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
I use both. I have a blackberry with a memo application that I record ideas on if I’m out without anything to write on. But my wife just purchased a small Molskine Notebook for me so I’m going to start carrying that around with me for ideas.
Deron Sizemores last blog post..What’s In a Business Name? Everything?
August 6th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Mmm.. Moleskine. I have one too. But I have just one problem it (have you noticed this effect?): It seems a bit too precious for my everyday scribbles.
A Moleskine has this prestige around it that makes me want to save it for just the most powerful, and most important ideas out there. Which means that I no longer carry the Moleskine with me - just a few regular notebooks…
August 6th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Yeah, I have noticed that same thing. I feel like I don’t want to get it dirty or something.
If I save it for my most powerful, most important ideas though, I’m afraid I would never write anything in it. haha
Deron Sizemores last blog post..What’s In a Business Name? Everything?
August 6th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Hehe, that’s exactly what happened to me… I must find a way to force myself to use the Moleskine again :)
August 7th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Moleskine is too expensive for daily usage
August 7th, 2008 at 3:42 pm
@Quotes World - Really? I have the small Moleskin notebook and I think it was $10. Sure, it’s not $2 which I could have paid at Wal-Mart, but not real expensive for a nice notebook.
Deron Sizemores last blog post..What’s In a Business Name? Everything?
August 7th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
What can I say Jarkko my friend. This is another great post.
Thank you and More power
August 7th, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Thanks, Don!
@Quotes World: I thought so too at first, but then decided to buy one anyway. Haven’t regretted the decision (except for the fact that I still haven’t gotten used to using the moleskine for normal stuff…): the moleskine is something different from your everyday notebook. It’s quality at its finest. :)
August 7th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
I too cary a pen and something to write on everywhere I go. I had a PDA at one time, but found organizing and try to keep up with conversations in note taking to be too time consuming. Hey Jarkko I finally got my blog going. Thank you for your help and advice.
http://middleclassdream.wordpress.com/
Chetts last blog post..How do you rate your knowlege of personal finance?
August 7th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Awesome, Chett! Congratulations for your new blog, and good luck! I’ll be following your posts :)
August 8th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Hey Jarkko,
Now that you said such praise words for the Todoolist method, I guess I should try it myself.
But what amazes me is how do you manage three notebooks at the same time? I also always carry around with me a mini-notebook and a pen (I’ve learned that ideas strike in funny times ;)), but I’ve also learned that rewriting and structuring the notes in different notebooks takes a lot of time and effort. I still have them stored somewhere 11-12 (and I’m not making up this number) of my notebooks with only the first 5-6 pages filled-up.
I’ve also tried the post-it and/or plain paper method. But soon I loose those notes or they get so crumpled from carrying them around in my bag that I often confuse them with the trash paper (receipts, chocolate wraps etc.) and they end up in the garbage can soon after.
And that also rationalizes my single use of pens – pencil-written notes get easily blurred by the wrinkles :)
My temporary solution is having one notebook for everything (work-related tasks, personal todo’s, thoughts, ideas, quotes, wishes, goals, drawings…). I fill it up in a month or so, then go through it, get rid of the ‘every-day’ task pages and keep the rest. I keep them in my drawer and occasionally go through them. Maybe one day I’ll organize those pages in separate folders. But that’s just ‘maybe’ ;)
August 9th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I’m a bit varied in my approach to pencils and paper:
I like pens (sic!) with erasers. Like Pilot FriXion. They smudge less than pencils and erase fine.
For my GTD I like my Palm still the best, for taking notes I have a moleskin-like thing currently, though I like spiral bound notebooks best.
My journal is written with a pump-action fountain pen, in most often permanent and waterproof ink.
We have a pencil and RiteInRain pad in our shower.
Lynoure Braakmans last blog post..Clear confirmation
August 11th, 2008 at 8:55 am
@Dren: Good idea! I haven’t regretted checking out Todoodlist so far - although I guess you already knew that from reading my post ;)
The three notebooks are still a rather new experiment for me, but so far they seem to work rather well. I think that’s because I have decided clear contents for each notebook: one is just for article ideas, one is tasks only, and one is for writing down stories and anecdotes.
But, recently I realized that these three categories are not enough. I also need a generic notebook for writing down things that don’t fit in any of these. This is my fourth notebook ;)
I agree that restructuring the ideas is a nearly impossible task… But I have decided not to worry about that too much. Every now and then, I go through my notebooks - but I don’t really have a good process for that (yet). Your monthly cleaning up process might work well for me too.
@Lynoure: Yeah, I think permanent pens are the best for journaling too - after all, that’s stuff you want to remember. And having a pencil in your shower - that’s hardcore! Great stuff!
I must ask about the Palm, though… Why do you like it for GTD? Do you use some specific GTD software on it or just regular notes? I’m just curious to know if technology can still challenge my paper based favorites… :)
August 11th, 2008 at 5:08 pm
@Jarkko: I use Memos for lists (those are just text files you can organize into categories) and the built-in todo software for the actions, but the core is Progect, which is a free hierarchical notekeeper that syncs into the todo list, so I can have my context and project details in the right places, and queue up next-to-next actions so that they won’t yet show in my action lists. In paper based systems I kept erasing, reshuffling, rewriting too much. Some day I hopefully a little subnotebook with Basket and KPim can do the same as Palm&Progect does now.
Lynoure Braakmans last blog post..Clear confirmation