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I have tried to use a dozen of 'digital' tools for tracking tasks and taking notes. Bullet journal is the first analog thing I tried and it remains in my daily

I have tried to use a dozen of 'digital' tools for tracking tasks and taking notes. Bullet journal is the first analog thing I tried and it remains in my daily routine for 3 months now. I have problem understanding the efforts to reimplement the concept in various software systems (Evernote, org-mode, etc.). Why confine yourself in the limited computer system?

DigitalJack 10y ago
What do you use as your journal? I struggle with needing to carry a book around with me. Much like the saying about cameras, the best journal system is the one you have with you.
- Scarblac 10y ago
  Since I use this system, I always have my notebook with me when I'm working (I always have a laptop backpack with me, too, and it goes in there). When I'm not working, I don't use this system. After half a year I stopped doing most things he showed, except for the monthly review. That rocks. And checkboxes. And a few important pages that I keep referring to that can be found through the index. I track days that I took off on the calendar and otherwise never used that for anything. The main benefits are 1. Writing things down means you are away for a few seconds from the machine full of distractions (made at great expense by powerful companies for the sole purpose of distracting you), and the physical act of writing helps concentration too. 2. Using this method, I actually keep a decent log of what I'm doing. I never did with any digital method, not for more than a couple of days.
  - sdoering 10y ago
    Funny as it seems we arrived at the same "solution".
- celadevra_ 10y ago
  I think my laptop's heaviness helps :P If I want to write something outdoors I remember to pick up my notebook if I remember how clumsy my laptop is. At home, it is always by my hand. I use an A5 size notebook by a Japanese vendor, the brand is Stalogy. It has ~185 thin sheets and weighs only ~100g. The paper is quite good, light and sturdy. If you use a fountain pen or ball pen, the marks won't smear the other side of the page. Highlighters can be seen from the back but you won't mistaken the marks for those on this side. Haven't tried watercolor though. The covers may become a bit wrinkled if they are wet, but inner pages are not much affected by water if you press them flat when drying. I find this out after I spilled some water in my bag. Luckily no electronic gadgets were in it then.

DigitalJack 10y ago

What do you use as your journal? I struggle with needing to carry a book around with me. Much like the saying about cameras, the best journal system is the one you have with you.

Scarblac 10y ago
Since I use this system, I always have my notebook with me when I'm working (I always have a laptop backpack with me, too, and it goes in there). When I'm not working, I don't use this system. After half a year I stopped doing most things he showed, except for the monthly review. That rocks. And checkboxes. And a few important pages that I keep referring to that can be found through the index. I track days that I took off on the calendar and otherwise never used that for anything. The main benefits are 1. Writing things down means you are away for a few seconds from the machine full of distractions (made at great expense by powerful companies for the sole purpose of distracting you), and the physical act of writing helps concentration too. 2. Using this method, I actually keep a decent log of what I'm doing. I never did with any digital method, not for more than a couple of days.
- sdoering 10y ago
  Funny as it seems we arrived at the same "solution".
celadevra_ 10y ago
I think my laptop's heaviness helps :P If I want to write something outdoors I remember to pick up my notebook if I remember how clumsy my laptop is. At home, it is always by my hand. I use an A5 size notebook by a Japanese vendor, the brand is Stalogy. It has ~185 thin sheets and weighs only ~100g. The paper is quite good, light and sturdy. If you use a fountain pen or ball pen, the marks won't smear the other side of the page. Highlighters can be seen from the back but you won't mistaken the marks for those on this side. Haven't tried watercolor though. The covers may become a bit wrinkled if they are wet, but inner pages are not much affected by water if you press them flat when drying. I find this out after I spilled some water in my bag. Luckily no electronic gadgets were in it then.