Photo credit here.

“Some things should happen on soft paper, not cold metal.” –Harper Lee

Hi, my name is Jennie and I like notebooks.  A lot.  I mean if we want to get personal or just plain confessional, I have college notes bound by course on a shelf in a closet.  It’s a sickness. What provokes one to do such a thing you may ask?  I’m unsure, but I do know that the lure of perfectly bound books with the right cover and design, and lines that are smaller than normal 59 cent spiral books of your grocery variety, provoke my hand to unconsciously grab said notebooks and buy.  And don’t get me started on how the right pen is just as important.  Walking into the BYU Bookstore is a virtual high for paper and pen fans alike.  Can I get a hear hear?

Maybe the somewhat troubling part is I have stacks of great notebooks but in the last few years have not taken the time to write on “soft paper” as much as I have intended even if  I’m a believer of its power. I was required to write a journal in college for a religion class and this was our grade – so, I did it.  And my scripture study changed and breathed and became alive.  It was as good as extinct prior, which further confirmed by nerd-like- allegiance to note taking.  Only now it was even shown to deepen my soul not only help remember interesting information.  Line upon line over the years added affirmation of this practice, and yet I stopped.  Catherine and I attended the Mormon Woman Project event where this study idea was discussed and I knew I had to get back at it! As I sat through this seminar I was reminded that the process of writing things down opens up a well and a willingness that enriches promptings and the self. The tiring monotony of the days get in the way and without practice and priority – the writing will stop, and my notebooks and enlightenment are sadly deserted.

It’s interesting how information you need to hear or read seem to cross your path and awareness in multiple ways.  Take note of this! I have articles, novels, and information piled around tugging at me to read and study. While I was reading Stop the BS by Shane Mac I instantly knew I needed to start practicing his note taking method he mentioned he adopted from Tim Ferriss.

Here’s the run down as outlined (I’m using his own words and explanation) by Shane Mac in his book Stop the BS:

1-      Buy a notebook. Then take a minute and number every page 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

2-      Take notes when you read anything – a book, a blog post that is worth remembering, a speech, or any other document.

3-      Use the notebook to create your own posts, products, designs, business plans, anything…really, anything.

4-      When you finish a page, take a moment and write key points on that page in the bottom right hand corner of the page (or somewhere that is easy to find).

5-      Go to the front cover and write what is on that page and place the page number next to it. Don’t worry about rewriting another line if you use more than one page for the same book or project as you can just add more page numbers next to that topic.

You are on your way to creating a notebook that will last forever and will have you remembering and creating in no time. If you index an entire book with all of the key points then you can do an entire book review a year from now in under 10 minutes. Before you continue this book, go buy a notebook…and index it.:)

I hope we can all become more aware of the information we have around us and use it for good.  And heck,  I guess that means we should go buy a new notebook! Happy studying.