Summary

The article discusses various systems for externalizing thoughts to manage information overflow.

Abstract

In an era where the wealth of information can be overwhelming, the article presents a range of methods for organizing thoughts and notes, including notebook systems like Silk & Sonder, traditional index cards, digital tools such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive, and Evernote, and the dedicated note-taking applications Roam Research and specialized software like OneDrive and Dropbox. Additionally, the author reflects on the practice of writing notes in books, using no system at all, or relying on sticky notes and to-do lists. Each method comes with its own set of pros and cons, varying in cost, convenience, and effectiveness, tailoring to individual preferences and practices. The article encourages readers to explore and settle on a method that facilitates easy access and enhances productivity. The author also shares a list of their own works organized by subject matter, published on Medium.

Opinions

Notebook systems are praised for their affordability and simplicity, yet differentiating between similar journals can be challenging and may be costly for premium services.
Index cards are valued for their ability to organize thoughts in small, rearrangeable sections, but they risk becoming disordered.
Computers and digital drives are recognized for their expansive storage capacity and the convenience of integrated programs but come with the risks of data loss from hacking or hardware failure.
Evernote is acknowledged as a useful tool due to its portability and the convenience of having observations on hand, though the author personally finds it intimidating and prone to neglect due to phone misplacement or battery depletion.
Roam Research is highlighted as an intuitive and powerful tool for writers, with the ability to connect notes through AI, but its premium cost is a significant barrier.
Taking notes directly in books is considered a double-edged sword, providing contextually relevant insights while potentially being disrespectful to the book and limiting in scope.
The no system approach, such as using sticky notes and to-do lists, is seen as convenient due to its low barrier to entry but risky due to the high chance of misplacing critical information.
The author recommends experimenting with different systems to find the most effective one for individual needs, emphasizing the importance of a reliable external brain for enhancing writing and storytelling.

When There Is Not Enough Room in Your Brain for All That

You’ve got to do something with it

I love the idea of having a second, or backup brain. But what does that really mean? It’s referring to a spot where you can dump notes and thoughts and feelings, then come back to it later.

For most of us, it’s the computer, nowadays. But is that really one’s best bet?

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Here are a few options, and my evaluation of them:

1. A notebook system

This is affordable, simple, and compact. I tried subscribing to Silk & Sonder, which is a monthly journal subscription service that allows you to track all sorts of things in your life, from your daily progress on goals to moods to moments of joy.

Pros: It’s portable, and you always know where to look if you keep a brief index in the front or go month-to-month, like Silk & Sonder.

Cons: It’s hard to tell them apart (Silk & Sonder in particular, but notebooks in general). It’s a little pricy (I paid $56 I think for a three-month subscription.)

2. Index cards

Old school, but there’s a lot to be said for an index card setup. Incidentally, I’m a fan of the big honkin’ note cards, 4x6.

Pros: You can break down your thoughts or research into bite-sized chunks. You can re-order your cards, creating new connections.

Cons: Has the potential to get knocked over and your order ruined.

3. Computers in general

Certainly the easiest option for most of us with a laptop and phone. There are now integrated programs, such as Microsoft Office or Google drive/docs (but you need to sign up with Gmail to get this free feature).

Pros: You can cram all sorts of documents — from pictures to whole books — onto your devices.

Cons: Oh, the pain of being hacked or accidentally destroying your computer. Unless you backup after every use, this can be perilous. However, certain sites, from OneDrive to Dropbox, are there to help you keep your files accessible even if the unthinkable happens.

4. Evernote

I just took (most of) a course by Tim Denning. It was a good course, and I learned a lot. One of the things Tim and his partner Todd taught was about Evernote, and how you can keep all of your observations on your phone. This works for many people, as phones are ever-present in our lives.

Pros: Free! Portable. Often handy.

Cons: I lose my phone on a regular basis and let it run out of juice other times. This one isn’t a good fit for me. Also, the wide open nature of the app makes it a little intimidating.

5. Roam Research

“If I were a rich man . . . .” This app makes me break out in song. It’s extremely intuitive and a writer’s dream, because it uses A.I. to connect your notes into new patterns.

Pros: Extremely helpful tool for writers in particular.

Cons: At last check, this was $185/year. At this stage, I don’t have that kind of cash laying around, so it’s not really an option. Too bad. Looks ideal.

6. Taking notes in books

A college habit for me, I’ve found my college texts to be a treasure trove of my previous a-ha’s.

Pros: The original source is right there to consult. You can relate your notes to the rest of the work.

Cons: It’s a disrespectful way to treat books. But setting that aside, it’s not good for drawing comparisons between works, and doesn’t solve the question of where to keep non-book related insights.

7. The no system approach

Sticky notes fall into this category, as do to-do lists and scraps of paper.

Pros: It doesn’t take a lot of planning to use what’s at hand to jot down your thoughts. Sticky notes can be reordered easily.

Cons: The likelihood of losing some key information is high. You’ll spend hours looking for the right papers over time.

Everyone will have a different relationship to the methods listed above. I encourage you to experiment and find the best method for you. The payoff is huge. You’ll have a way of accessing your records that works for you. And hopefully, this will lead to more writing and better stories.

If you enjoyed this story, you might like the work of Tim Denning. He’s extremely good at breaking down the writing process he uses and hashing over mistakes to make a new choice about them.

You can see a list of my works here. I’d love it if you subscribed to me, or took a look at my Medium publication Life and the Performing Arts.

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