Taking Better Notes
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
- Capture the ideas and insights that spark your interest. A sticky note, a voice memo, or an app like Notion—whatever works.
- Organize them so you can find them later. Categories, tags, or even a simple “Projects” list will do.
- Distill your notes into their essential meaning. Ask: What’s the big takeaway here?
- Express your ideas by using them in