Creative Commons Photo Credit by lynnfriedman
If you are like me, if you don’t write things down or type it into Evernote, then you will forget it ten minutes later. Personally I’m a fan of Evernote, but if you don’t mess with technology a leather binder will do the job just fine.
If you don’t write or type a to-do list yet, then here are 3 reasons why writing everything down is so important:
1. You waste time trying to think of what you needed to do in the first place.
Your to-do list keeps you on point. It makes you more productive and effective throughout the day. It tells yourself and others that you are on a mission and sets the tone for the entire day. If you don’t give your day the direction that you want, you will end up wandering and getting lucky if you achieve your daily tasks that get you to your desired outcomes. Every day should have some aspect that moves you towards your goals. Knowing what you are doing gives confidence and pays huge dividends. If you don’t have a lot of time already, why not make the most of it? Make every second count.
2. Writing down memories in vivid details help you remember what things were like, even years after you wrote it down.
Whether it be a handwritten letter to your spouse or a journal that you keep, you can look at it years later and see how you used to feel about any given subject. This is so important when you need to convey your story to others. It brings back those small details that you would have forgotten otherwise.
The same applies with taking notes in meetings, while someone else is presenting or just on something that you find to be an interesting topic. First, it lets others know that you are engaged at that moment. That’s just respectful to the speaker, folks. Second, it keeps you engaged to the speaker. That and coffee my friend. Some meetings need extra activities to keep you awake. I know that you’ve been there. This information will also be a reference later on when you need to bring up that information again, even years later.
This might seem like elementary stuff to you, but I can’t believe how many times I have sat in important meetings and nothing is written down. Nothing at all. If you get this easy step down sooner rather than later, I guarantee that it will help you your entire life.
3. If it is written down, then you are one step closer to what you want to achieve.
Goals that are handwritten are achieved more often than those that just stay in our heads. I’m not really sure if that’s fact, but it seems correct. Writing goals down is effective because these goals stay visible. They stay in front of your face until you achieve them. They keep reminding you that you haven’t quite made it yet. They stare you in the face until you start chipping away at them, one by one. That’s the beauty of it. This concept lets you live life on your terms, not luck.
Keep writing things down. And if just that doesn’t work, add in some focus. Do everything you can to become the person that you really want to become.
So, how do you keep up with everything? You can leave a comment below.
I’ve found that your point about memory is so true. And it’s not just remembering the small details – it’s remembering almost anything. To-do’s, insights I’ve had, blog posts I want to write, etc.
Write em down, write em down!
Amen 🙂
I’ve found that your point about memory is so true. And it’s not just remembering the small details – it’s remembering almost anything. To-do’s, insights I’ve had, blog posts I want to write, etc.
Write em down, write em down!
Amen 🙂
Good post. Too true. I like to say, “If it isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist.” I say that partially for the reasons you outlined above and partially because I forget things so easily. BTW – I use multiple means of writing things down. I hand-write a journal for goals, life, etc. I use iPhone Notes for important but seldom used info. For tasks and to-dos, I use Paperless for iPhone which is simple lists and checklists (love ’em). I’ve reviewed Paperless here: http://wp.me/pMUrU-u9. I also recently started using workflowy.com for work-related tasks.
Awesome man. Good tools
Good post. Too true. I like to say, “If it isn’t written down, it doesn’t exist.” I say that partially for the reasons you outlined above and partially because I forget things so easily. BTW – I use multiple means of writing things down. I hand-write a journal for goals, life, etc. I use iPhone Notes for important but seldom used info. For tasks and to-dos, I use Paperless for iPhone which is simple lists and checklists (love ’em). I’ve reviewed Paperless here: http://wp.me/pMUrU-u9. I also recently started using workflowy.com for work-related tasks.
Awesome man. Good tools
Oh, I’m terrible! I do things as I think of them, never write anything down nor use my Blackberry for notes, etc. If I can’t do what I think of immediately, it floats around in my head until I’ve done it. I’ve always battled to use a to-do list and check such a list off as it gets done. I always thought it exhausting, and just looking at the list would make me want to run a mile! Same goes for my Blogs, as I think of something that I’d like to blog, I tend to blog it that same day without thinking it through or writing down ideas, thoughts, etc. This reminds me of some of my fellow Christians who take notes during sermons. I tried that; landed up doodling all over the page and losing concentration on what the guy was preaching about. Oh well, each to his own on this! BTW,
my daughter has to-do lists for everything and it works for her!
haha 🙂 Well, maybe it doesn’t work for everyone I guess
Oh, I’m terrible! I do things as I think of them, never write anything down nor use my Blackberry for notes, etc. If I can’t do what I think of immediately, it floats around in my head until I’ve done it. I’ve always battled to use a to-do list and check such a list off as it gets done. I always thought it exhausting, and just looking at the list would make me want to run a mile! Same goes for my Blogs, as I think of something that I’d like to blog, I tend to blog it that same day without thinking it through or writing down ideas, thoughts, etc. This reminds me of some of my fellow Christians who take notes during sermons. I tried that; landed up doodling all over the page and losing concentration on what the guy was preaching about. Oh well, each to his own on this! BTW,
my daughter has to-do lists for everything and it works for her!
haha 🙂 Well, maybe it doesn’t work for everyone I guess
I have a small moleskin notepad I take with me that I use as a weekly and daily to-do list. It has really helped me stay on top of what I need to get done.
Sweet. I love the smell of moleskins
I have a small moleskin notepad I take with me that I use as a weekly and daily to-do list. It has really helped me stay on top of what I need to get done.
Sweet. I love the smell of moleskins
I also have Evernote on my computer and phone. I also try and keep paper and a pen handy. Being able to write my thoughts down has allowed me to remember a lot of good thoughts. Great thoughts.
awesome man
I also have Evernote on my computer and phone. I also try and keep paper and a pen handy. Being able to write my thoughts down has allowed me to remember a lot of good thoughts. Great thoughts.
awesome man
I’m great at writing ideas for blog topics and spiritual things and such down. If I haven’t written it down, I haven’t thought it. To-do lists and note taking are another thing altogether. I should try harder to do that though. Normally, I end up writing ideas or make up silly poems to stay awake.
I’m great at writing ideas for blog topics and spiritual things and such down. If I haven’t written it down, I haven’t thought it. To-do lists and note taking are another thing altogether. I should try harder to do that though. Normally, I end up writing ideas or make up silly poems to stay awake.
I use MacJournal for everything.
I use MacJournal for everything. Thinking of going back to Evernote though.
I have a bad habit of not writing things down until I get home. I really need to get a trusty notebook.
haha. maybe it’s time.
I have a bad habit of not writing things down until I get home. I really need to get a trusty notebook.
haha. maybe it’s time.