As I was going through older notes from the last few years, I stumbled on one titled “Current Challenges”. This note was me documenting whatever obstacles I was up against at that time. And as I went through each list, 99% of those challenges are no longer there. From the small ones to the big ones. All gone. I recommend you do the same. Take the time every few months and make a dated list of anything that’s bothering you. This small list is a simple way to steer your life in the direction you want to go. Identify. Document. Adjust.
Twin boys. Toddler daughter. Hospital Tech Support. Writer. Runner. Gamer. Creating in public again.*
Apple Notes
Emoji Folders
The focus this week has been inside of Apple Notes. Making folders for all the areas in my life, putting them in alphabetical order, and putting emojis in front. Having all of these folders in order like this, and knowing that the folder exists, makes it easy to find what I’m looking for.
Above this alphabetical is current projects that I’m working on (I have those hidden in the photo). The active projects are shared with the person I’m collaborating with. It’s at the very top so I can jump right to it when I need it.
Underneath all these folders is an Archive folder. When I’m done with a note or folder, I put it in the archive folder.
(This structure is a remix of Tiago Forte’s, from Building a Second Brain book.)
My Apple Notes System
I spent yesterday restructuring my notes yesterday. I moved away from a dozen folders to only a few.
- Create
- Family (shared)
- Personal
- Shopping
- Work
Instead of having folders for every topic, I’m now using tags to handle the specifics. Everything now fits inside of one of these five folders.
Anything creative goes in Create. The Family folder is shared with Olivia so we both see anything that goes in there. Personal is anything dealing with my own life. Shopping is where I throw things that I might be interested in purchasing. And Work is where I through reference notes that pertain to my job.
The tags are things like #health, #lyrics, and #reference. I have about twenty tags as of now. A quick way for me find a specific topic without having to dig through tons of folders.
The main “Notes” folder inside of Apple Notes is the inbox for me. That’s where notes start. Later, I tag the note and move it into one of the five folders. A simple workflow for hundreds of notes.
Building a Family Dashboard
Family Dashboard is a central place for all things pertaining to our lives. Whether it’s our schedule, tasks around the house, upcoming bills, or even creative projects.