How do you organize notes?

Here are various expert recommendations on how to organize notes effectively:

1. Tickler File System: Cal Newport discusses using a tickler file system with 43 folders (31 for days and 12 for months) to manage when to review specific notes. He also mentions using digital tools like Evernote, organizing notes into various notebooks based on categories such as ideas, business, and books. Regular review of notes is crucial to keep the system effective and reduce anxiety over forgetting important ideas Cal Newport Deep Questions with Cal Newport 1.

2. Zettelkästen System: Newport also experiments with the Zettelkästen system, which involves connecting notes in a non-hierarchical manner, facilitating idea development and discovery. He uses Roam Research for this purpose, aiming to create a more dynamic and interconnected note structure Cal Newport Deep Questions with Cal Newport 2.

3. Simplified Hierarchical Systems: Advocating simplicity, Newport suggests minimal levels of hierarchy for organizing notes, such as two levels for projects and up to three levels for writing purposes. This reduces the complexity and overhead of maintaining the note system, making it easier to manage and use consistently Cal Newport Deep Questions with Cal Newport 3.

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     Organizing Your Notes

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     Organizing Notes Effectively

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     Simplifying Note Organization

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     Organizing Notes Effectively

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     Organizing Ideas Effectively

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     Note-Taking Strategies

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     Optimal Organization

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4. Condensing and Refining Notes: Milan Milanović emphasizes condensing information into notes and refining them for easy retrieval and sharing. He highlights the importance of having a personalized system to manage and access notes efficiently, regardless of the tool used Milan Milanović Beyond Coding Podcast 4.

5. Note Cards System: Ryan Holiday uses a note card system, where notes are stored on cards and organized by themes or topics. This method allows for efficient retrieval and utilization of information accumulated over time, even if it takes years to find relevant use Ryan Holiday Deep Questions with Cal Newport 5.

6. Writing and Tagging in Microsoft Word: Susan Cain compiles all her notes into a single Word document, tagging them by topics for later retrieval. She then organizes these tagged sections into binders. This method is straightforward but may require a transition to more advanced tools for further efficiency Susan Cain Tim Ferriss Show 6.

7. Building a Second Brain with PARA: Tiago Forte proposes the PARA method (Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives) for digital note organization. This system focuses on categorizing notes based on active projects and areas of interest, rather than broad subjects, to enhance efficiency and practicality Tiago Forte All the Hacks 7.

Each method aims to make note-taking and retrieval more efficient by adopting well-structured systems tailored to the user's needs and preferences.