Keep Your Note-Taking Super Simple With These 12 Tips

Don’t get distracted by a complex system

The quest for a simpler, more efficient note-taking workflow has never been more relevant.

It’s so easy to go off-track.

Follow the principles outlined here and you’ll have clear guardrails for your note-taking.

The most tempting thing to do is over-invest in tools or systems, but don’t go too crazy out of the gate. You don’t want to be so distracted by the system that you don’t accomplish what you set out to do.

1. Choose basic tools to start

• Consider your familiarity with the tools and their learning curves.
• Physical notebooks: Offer the tactile satisfaction of writing by hand.
• Basic text editor: Ideal for simplicity, especially if you prefer digital notes.

I get a lot of satisfaction in writing by hand, while others may prefer the simplicity of a basic text editor for digital notes.

If that’s the case, try simple note-taking apps like Google Keep or Apple Notes. They prioritize minimalism and ease of use, making them great options to try.

You don’t need to get bogged down by Roam, Obsidian, Notion or any of the hundreds of tools to begin with.

Once you have your flow down, switch to something with additional features.

Here’s an example. This is my digital notes menu in Apple Notes over the past week or so:

2. Create a consistent format

• A consistent format should include headings, subheadings, bullet points, and numbered lists.
• This format makes it easy to skim through your notes and quickly find the information you need.
• Consistency ensures your notes are structured for efficient reference.

By maintaining a uniform structure that includes headings, subheadings, bullet points, and numbered lists, you can easily skim through your notes and quickly locate the information you need.

3. Capture main ideas

• Focusing on capturing main ideas involves active reading and comprehension.
• Summarize key arguments and concepts in your own words.
• Avoid verbatim copying, which can lead to information overload.

Summarize key arguments from the lecture, book or video in your own words, avoiding verbatim copying, which can lead to information overload. This approach helps you digest and understand the material as you take notes.

4. Use abbreviations and symbols

• Create a personal shorthand for common terms or concepts.
• Examples: “e.g.” for “for example,” “i.e.” for “that is,” or “→” for “leads to.”

This speeds up your note-taking process and keeps your notes concise. You’ll save time but also will maintain the clarity and brevity of your notes.

And don’t worry about your handwriting! As long as you can read it…

5. Separate out your personal insights

• Distinguishing your thoughts from the author’s is essential for clarity.
• Use different fonts, colors, or labels to differentiate your insights.

Clear separation allows you to revisit the author’s ideas separately.

6. Organize your notes by topic

• Categorize your notes by subjects or projects.
• Use clear headings or notebook titles to identify each topic.

Organizing your notes by topic is a key simplification strategy. Categorize your notes by subjects or projects, using clear headings or notebook titles to identify each topic. This organization simplifies the process of finding relevant information later, making your note-taking workflow more efficient.

I’ll admit, I’m not the best at this. I usually use dates (see below). Digital tools usually make this a bit more seamless than physical notebooks.

But if you know you’re switching meetings, topics, or classes, at least start another page.

7. Date your notes so you can find them

• Adding a date to your notes provides context and helps you understand the timeline of your learning.
• It’s essential when tracking your progress or referring back to older notes.

I do this for every note and meeting I take at work. Dating your notes also aids in creating a chronological order for better understanding, especially for time-sensitive topics or ongoing projects.

8. Use tagging in digital tools

• If you opt for digital note-taking, use broad and relevant tags or keywords.
• Avoid overusing tags to prevent your system from becoming cluttered.
• Tags make your notes accessible.

Tags should be broad, making your notes easier to retrieve when needed. A good way to do this is by class, book, lecture or video, and then you can hone in on specifics (like chapters or ideas) later on.

9. Simple formatting should be the rule

• Stick to minimal formatting, such as bold, italics, and bullet points.
• Overuse of formatting can make your notes visually cluttered.
• Simplicity ensures that your notes are easy to scan and understand.

Minimal formatting is recommended to maintain the simplicity of your notes.

You don’t want too elaborate of a system or you’ll never make it. You’ll be too worried about keeping your system up-to-date instead of actually learning what you need to be doing.

10. Regular review

• Consistent reviews reinforce your memory and understanding of the material.
• Set aside dedicated time to revisit and refine your notes.

Consistency in this practice can significantly improve your note-taking effectiveness. Even if you’re not prepping for an exam, but just hoping to pick up new skills, you may learn something the first time, and then find additional info later on.

11. Offline and Online Notes

• Combine physical and digital note-taking for flexibility.
• Take physical notes while reading to maintain focus.
• Later, transfer key points to digital format for easy reference and searching.

For added flexibility, consider integrating both physical and digital note-taking. Take physical notes while reading to maintain focus, and later, transfer key points to a digital format for easy reference and searching. This is the combination I use and it allows me to benefit from both methods. I go paper first and then transfer to digital.

12. Adapt, experiment, adapt again

• Be open to adapting your note-taking process as you discover what works best for you and you create your own personal style.
• Experiment with different techniques to find the most efficient workflow.
• Flexibility and experimentation lead to an evolving and optimized note-taking system.

Be open to adjusting your process as you discover what works best for you. Experiment with different techniques to find the most efficient workflow that suits what your goals are and what you need to do.

Want more from your notes? Get my quick note-taking template and cheat sheet for free.