The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
Billy Oppenheimerbillyoppenheimer.com
Saved by Enara Nazarova and
The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
When I finish a book, I put it back on the shelf for a week or two. After a week or two, when I have a block of time, I grab the book and a stack of 4×6 notecards. The reason to wait a week or two? Time is a great filter/editor. Even with a really good book—one where I fold over every other page—I might only make 5-10 notecards.
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
When I come across an anecdote I like, I write a corresponding phrase in all caps in the margin. So I ask myself, “if this were to appear in a future article or newsletter or etc, what might the title or header be?”
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
When I come across interesting information, I underline then write a corresponding question in the margin. So what I underlined is an answer to the question.
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
So I make every note card with the assumption that I will later have forgotten just about everything about the book/article/paper/interview from which the note card comes from.
If I am capturing an interesting idea, for instance, I surround it with context—the way it might appear in a paragraph in an article. (much more on this and many examples bel... See more
If I am capturing an interesting idea, for instance, I surround it with context—the way it might appear in a paragraph in an article. (much more on this and many examples bel... See more
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
When you don’t have that mechanical resistance, when you give yourself the freedom to copy and paste, you’re not discerning. You capture anything and everything that strikes you at first glance. It’d be like if you stored everything you underline in a book you read. Anyone who has gone back through what they underlined in a book they read knows you... See more
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
If you can’t talk yourself into using your energy to write or type something out, it’s probably not worth capturing.
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
Physical or digital, I think whatever system gets you to look forward to consistently reviewing what you’ve collected (read: forgotten) is the best system.
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
“The greatest genius will never be worth much if he pretends to draw exclusively from his own resources.” — Goethe
Billy Oppenheimer • The Notecard System: Capture, Organize, and Use Everything You Read, Watch, and Listen To
“For every good idea that comes out of you, you need ten good ideas coming into you. And that’s up to you to ensure that you continuously fill yourself up with fresh knowledge and information and impressions so that one thing can come out.” — René Redzepi