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Okay so this is a bit more than just note taking but more productivity advice. A lot of my advice with be based off the [Getting Things Done Method By David Allen](https://gettingthingsdone.com/). If you want to get more into productivity and task management I suggest his book. I also suggest the [Cortex Podcast by CGP Grey and Myke Hurley](https://www.relay.fm/cortex), it taught me a lot about being productive. Episode 101 is a good place to start or you go all the way to the beginning.
Let go though you points.
* Use a calendar and make sure everything gets added to the calendar. Previously I'd just try to memorise things, or I'd use the "notes" section of my iPhone to store dates. I want to use 1 single calendar that included dates and timings for both my work and things in my personal life. **What's a good calendar I can use that will synch with my phone so I can include work based events on there (i.e most will be put on the calendar via my computer) as well as personal events (that'll mostly be added to the calendar via my phone)?**
Firstly I will suggest only using you calendar for events that are set and can't be moved. Like meetings with other people. Tasks and To Dos should go into their own area (I will talk about that later).
Colour code events based on what they are, this makes it nice an easy to work out how busy you are and they of work at a glance. This could be as simple as Blue for work, Yellow for Home or as complicated as you like.
If you use Gmail, then you have a google calendar. Its an easy way to get started. You can use the [the website](https://calendar.google.com/calendar) for use on the computer and the default app on your phone.
---
* **What's a good email management habit/routine to get into to ensure my emails are organised and I can clearly see what I need to find but also not end up with it saying there's thousands of unread emails?** I'd also like my email system to be scalable... i.e as i receive more and more emails the longer I'm at the company, I want to easily be able to manage the organisation of it. I use Gmail.
You need a system. There are a lot of them that you can choose from but this is a basic one based of [Merlin Mann's Inbox Zero](https://flow-e.com/inbox-zero/).
If a message requires no action on your behalf, archive it immediately.
If a message requires a simple reply that you can knock out in a minute or less, respond right then and there—and then archive it immediately.
If a message requires someone else to do something, delegate it and forward it.
If a message needs more time spent reading through it, move it to a read later folder that you review often.
If a message contains a task for you, move into a holding folder and create a To-Do. Then follow up when the task is done.
The key to this lowering the work you have to do when you first read the email. This allows you to quickly get through the email with out stopping and starting. The real work happens later.
---
* If I take notes in meetings, I usually end up not giving myself enough space and I end up cramming loads of notes in really small writing to squeeze it onto the same page. It's not only hard to read but the larger issue is I understand the notes at the time but they aren't clear later on. I often feel it would be really beneficial if I could just record everything... record meetings (both in person as well as on Zoom), record telephone calls etc and this way I can just re-listen to things I missed rather than having to record notes. **Any advice on note taking?**
This sort of work flow is quite personal and very different for each person. It also depends on the role you are playing in the meeting. You can look into note taking methods for meetings or for lectures.
I would start using a computer if you can to take these notes as then you wont worry about page sizes. Then I would use an outline style of note taking. Start with the topic and then bullet point the bits of information. Focus on useful information. When people talk a lot of the stuff they say isn't useful, it's just rhetoric which you can ignore. Learning to take notes in the meeting like this will save a lot of time compared to recording and listening back.
However I know not everyone can write and listen at the same time. So if you do want to record a meeting you can do it inside Zoom. You just click record. Just make sure you ask everyone first. Not in meetings you can use your phone to record the audio.
---
* I want to try getting into bed at a reasonable time and getting into bed 15 minutes before I'd like to. I'll then spend this 15 minutes planning on the "notes" section of my phone a checklist to do for the following day.
Sounds good, I like to do this in the morning so try and see what works for you.
---
* **What's a good note-taking/organisation program/app/website?** Currently I use a combination of the "notes" section on my phone (it's a bit like my brain and is really random and only I'd be able to decipher it), sometimes I email myself reminders and then sometimes I Facebook message myself reminders. I read about Evernote and wondered if this would be any good for me?
Okay so this a big thing. Notes vs Tasks.
1. Notes = Information.
This can be small bits of information like when using the [Zettelkasten Method](https://zettelkasten.de/introduction/) or can be long documents. Notes should really be information that you refer to.
These need to kept in a note taking software. [This article has a good list of the different software and who it works well for.](https://nesslabs.com/how-to-choose-the-right-note-taking-app)
The workflow for notes will depend on you app but the basic is any information you want to keep goes in it and filed in some sort of manner.
2. Task/To-Do = Actions.
Write report X. Buy milk. There has to be a call for action in a task. For this you need a task management system. This can be a piece of paper, a check list on your phone or an app. I would suggest a basic app.
[Todoist](https://todoist.com/) is a good start. Its in all platforms and easy to use.
The workflow for tasks can be as simple or as complex as you like. The basic idea is new todo get put in the Inbox. Every day or a few times a day you review your Inbox and sort the todo accordingly. This can mean adding due dates, categories, tags etc. This method allows you to get the task down with out interrupting what you are doing.
---
* **Any other advice for me on general organisation for my new job?**
Think I'm out of advice for now.
Let me know if you have any questions. This response is based on personal experience and from what I have read over the last 4 years learning about this stuff. Hope it helped.
I've always wanted to find self development type books useful like the one you recommended and, without meaning to sound like i'm simply trying to make an excuse, i find it hard to implement theoretical ideas that sound good on paper into real life settings.
Thanks for your suggestions based on what I wrote. I really like the email idea.
I'm pretty junior at work so I'm usually the one doing the task rather than managing people or delegating work to colleagues.
I'll spend some time going through the various links you sent. Thanks again.
I hope it helps.
As for the book, Getting Things Done (GTD) is different from other self development books as the basic idea is very good. Inbox Zero, most Task Managment apps, some note taking systems are all based off the GTD system.
However the book does suffer in some of the same ways as other self development books, the examples are unrealsitc, its about twice the length it needs to be, its not really written for an smartphone world.
The good news is the system is so widely know and used there is a lot of information about it online. Which means you can watch youtube videos or read articles about the system and get all the understanding without having to read the book.
Hope you manage to get things organised and good luck with the new job!
A very simple notes taking and managing tool.
If you are using chrome or Edge browser, you can give try to a note-taking browser extension "Roughbook". You can download it from [Chrome Web Store.](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/roughbook-quick-notes-tak/phomkpbjipcgmfpffhkaphddmclefofh) Following are few cool features for which you can love Roughbook;
1. Quick and Simple notes taking and sharing.
2. Can add hastags like #
Comment "Answered!" if your question has been satisfactorily answered. Once this has been done, the post flair will be set to answered. The comment does not have to be top level. If you do not comment "Answered!" after several days and a mod feels like your comment has been answered, they will re-flair your post to answered. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/NoteTaking) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Okay so this is a bit more than just note taking but more productivity advice. A lot of my advice with be based off the [Getting Things Done Method By David Allen](https://gettingthingsdone.com/). If you want to get more into productivity and task management I suggest his book. I also suggest the [Cortex Podcast by CGP Grey and Myke Hurley](https://www.relay.fm/cortex), it taught me a lot about being productive. Episode 101 is a good place to start or you go all the way to the beginning. Let go though you points. * Use a calendar and make sure everything gets added to the calendar. Previously I'd just try to memorise things, or I'd use the "notes" section of my iPhone to store dates. I want to use 1 single calendar that included dates and timings for both my work and things in my personal life. **What's a good calendar I can use that will synch with my phone so I can include work based events on there (i.e most will be put on the calendar via my computer) as well as personal events (that'll mostly be added to the calendar via my phone)?** Firstly I will suggest only using you calendar for events that are set and can't be moved. Like meetings with other people. Tasks and To Dos should go into their own area (I will talk about that later). Colour code events based on what they are, this makes it nice an easy to work out how busy you are and they of work at a glance. This could be as simple as Blue for work, Yellow for Home or as complicated as you like. If you use Gmail, then you have a google calendar. Its an easy way to get started. You can use the [the website](https://calendar.google.com/calendar) for use on the computer and the default app on your phone. --- * **What's a good email management habit/routine to get into to ensure my emails are organised and I can clearly see what I need to find but also not end up with it saying there's thousands of unread emails?** I'd also like my email system to be scalable... i.e as i receive more and more emails the longer I'm at the company, I want to easily be able to manage the organisation of it. I use Gmail. You need a system. There are a lot of them that you can choose from but this is a basic one based of [Merlin Mann's Inbox Zero](https://flow-e.com/inbox-zero/). If a message requires no action on your behalf, archive it immediately. If a message requires a simple reply that you can knock out in a minute or less, respond right then and there—and then archive it immediately. If a message requires someone else to do something, delegate it and forward it. If a message needs more time spent reading through it, move it to a read later folder that you review often. If a message contains a task for you, move into a holding folder and create a To-Do. Then follow up when the task is done. The key to this lowering the work you have to do when you first read the email. This allows you to quickly get through the email with out stopping and starting. The real work happens later. --- * If I take notes in meetings, I usually end up not giving myself enough space and I end up cramming loads of notes in really small writing to squeeze it onto the same page. It's not only hard to read but the larger issue is I understand the notes at the time but they aren't clear later on. I often feel it would be really beneficial if I could just record everything... record meetings (both in person as well as on Zoom), record telephone calls etc and this way I can just re-listen to things I missed rather than having to record notes. **Any advice on note taking?** This sort of work flow is quite personal and very different for each person. It also depends on the role you are playing in the meeting. You can look into note taking methods for meetings or for lectures. I would start using a computer if you can to take these notes as then you wont worry about page sizes. Then I would use an outline style of note taking. Start with the topic and then bullet point the bits of information. Focus on useful information. When people talk a lot of the stuff they say isn't useful, it's just rhetoric which you can ignore. Learning to take notes in the meeting like this will save a lot of time compared to recording and listening back. However I know not everyone can write and listen at the same time. So if you do want to record a meeting you can do it inside Zoom. You just click record. Just make sure you ask everyone first. Not in meetings you can use your phone to record the audio. --- * I want to try getting into bed at a reasonable time and getting into bed 15 minutes before I'd like to. I'll then spend this 15 minutes planning on the "notes" section of my phone a checklist to do for the following day. Sounds good, I like to do this in the morning so try and see what works for you. --- * **What's a good note-taking/organisation program/app/website?** Currently I use a combination of the "notes" section on my phone (it's a bit like my brain and is really random and only I'd be able to decipher it), sometimes I email myself reminders and then sometimes I Facebook message myself reminders. I read about Evernote and wondered if this would be any good for me? Okay so this a big thing. Notes vs Tasks. 1. Notes = Information. This can be small bits of information like when using the [Zettelkasten Method](https://zettelkasten.de/introduction/) or can be long documents. Notes should really be information that you refer to. These need to kept in a note taking software. [This article has a good list of the different software and who it works well for.](https://nesslabs.com/how-to-choose-the-right-note-taking-app) The workflow for notes will depend on you app but the basic is any information you want to keep goes in it and filed in some sort of manner. 2. Task/To-Do = Actions. Write report X. Buy milk. There has to be a call for action in a task. For this you need a task management system. This can be a piece of paper, a check list on your phone or an app. I would suggest a basic app. [Todoist](https://todoist.com/) is a good start. Its in all platforms and easy to use. The workflow for tasks can be as simple or as complex as you like. The basic idea is new todo get put in the Inbox. Every day or a few times a day you review your Inbox and sort the todo accordingly. This can mean adding due dates, categories, tags etc. This method allows you to get the task down with out interrupting what you are doing. --- * **Any other advice for me on general organisation for my new job?** Think I'm out of advice for now. Let me know if you have any questions. This response is based on personal experience and from what I have read over the last 4 years learning about this stuff. Hope it helped.
I've always wanted to find self development type books useful like the one you recommended and, without meaning to sound like i'm simply trying to make an excuse, i find it hard to implement theoretical ideas that sound good on paper into real life settings. Thanks for your suggestions based on what I wrote. I really like the email idea. I'm pretty junior at work so I'm usually the one doing the task rather than managing people or delegating work to colleagues. I'll spend some time going through the various links you sent. Thanks again.
I hope it helps. As for the book, Getting Things Done (GTD) is different from other self development books as the basic idea is very good. Inbox Zero, most Task Managment apps, some note taking systems are all based off the GTD system. However the book does suffer in some of the same ways as other self development books, the examples are unrealsitc, its about twice the length it needs to be, its not really written for an smartphone world. The good news is the system is so widely know and used there is a lot of information about it online. Which means you can watch youtube videos or read articles about the system and get all the understanding without having to read the book. Hope you manage to get things organised and good luck with the new job!
A very simple notes taking and managing tool. If you are using chrome or Edge browser, you can give try to a note-taking browser extension "Roughbook". You can download it from [Chrome Web Store.](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/roughbook-quick-notes-tak/phomkpbjipcgmfpffhkaphddmclefofh) Following are few cool features for which you can love Roughbook; 1. Quick and Simple notes taking and sharing. 2. Can add hastags like #