Analog System

By keeping a physical notebook, you set clear physical boundaries. You only think when the notebook is laid out in front of you. Second, writing things down lets you see how far you have come and your progress on a topic. You can clearly see that you have devoted time to thinking about the issue. Third, you no longer waste mental energy pondering

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How do you remember it all? That’s why doing it physically is so important. I am invested in each one of these cards. I made them and arranged them with my own hands. This tactile relationship helps. As one reader put it, it helps make a “memory palace.” I don’t vaguely remember what I put on the note cards, but where I put it, what it’s connected... See more

Wouldn’t digital be easier? Yes. But I don’t want this to be easy. Writing them down by hand forces me to take my time and to go over everything again (taking notes on a Kindle is too easy and that’s the problem). Also being able to physically arrange stuff is crucial for getting the structure of your book or project right. I can move cards from... See more