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In a recent video by the Paperless Movement®, Tom Solid and Paco Cantero delve into the complexities of journaling, answering a member’s question about note-taking in OneNote and Evernote. They discuss various journaling methods, tools, and their benefits, providing insights on how to effectively manage and store information.
Journaling Categories
Memories
Tom and Paco start by categorizing journaling into three types, with the first being “Memories.” This type is about capturing moments you want to remember in the future. Tools like Day One are highlighted for their ability to store various content types, from text and images to videos and quotes, and then effortlessly retrieve them. Day One also features an autopilot function that shows you past entries, creating a seamless way to reflect on significant life moments.
Shallow Journaling
The second category is “Shallow Journaling,” which includes quick notes, meeting minutes, and daily reflections. Paco recommends using tools that support daily entries, which can make it easier to retrieve information later. He emphasizes the importance of context, suggesting that linking notes to specific days helps in organizing and finding them in the future. Tools like Apple Notes, Craft, and Tana are mentioned for their daily note features.
Deep Journaling
The final category is “Deep Journaling,” which involves reflective and analytical writing. This type of journaling helps in processing thoughts, emotions, and decisions. Paco praises tools like Mymind for their AI capabilities that provide insights based on your entries, offering weekly reports and mood analysis. He believes that AI can revolutionize how we approach deep journaling, making it easier to gain self-awareness and personal growth.
Practical Applications and Tools
Day One for Significant Memories
Tom shares his experience with Day One, where he has been journaling consistently since 2015. He uses different journals within the app to categorize entries, such as business-related and personal/family matters. He appreciates the app’s widget feature, which shows past entries on the same day, providing a sense of progress and reflection.
Combining Tools for Efficiency
For daily note-taking and quick captures, Tom mentions using multiple tools to avoid clutter. He prefers keeping shallow notes in apps like Reader for external content and Tana for organizing internal reflections. This separation ensures that only relevant and processed information makes it to his primary system, enhancing efficiency and reducing reliance on search functions.
AI and Deep Journaling
Tom and Paco discuss the benefits of using AI in journaling. Tools like chatGPT and Mymind offer objective feedback and insights, which can be more reliable than subjective opinions from friends or family. AI can help users gain new perspectives and understand their thoughts and decisions better.
Member Insights and Final Thoughts
Members of the Paperless Movement® community, like Mary and Christina, shared their journaling experiences, highlighting challenges such as illegible handwriting and the need for regular processing of daily notes. Tom and Paco emphasize the importance of finding a system that works for each individual and the value of the ICOR® framework in providing a flexible approach to Personal Knowledge Management.
For those looking to improve their productivity and journaling practices, Tom invites them to join the Paperless Movement® Membership, which offers comprehensive courses on Note-Taking, PKM, Task Management, and Project Management. This membership aims to transform busy professionals into highly effective digital pros.
