The Perfect Pocket Notebook Method for Digital Minimalism
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 3 มิ.ย. 2024
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I've had a hard time getting my work down while my smartphone beckons to me. I've found that keeping a pocket notebook system which incorporates the best of Cal Newport's timeblocking method with the best of Ryder Carroll's Bullet Journal method can help me stop mindlessly scrolling on my phone and actually get my work done. In this video I go over some of the tenets of digital minimalism, I lay out the major ideas in the philosophy of technology, and then I show you how to incorporate time-blocking into your own pocket bullet journal.
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0:00 - intro and overview
1:03 - what is Digital Minimalism?
4:40 - the philosophy of technology
8:50 - Why I love Shortform
10:50 - Bullet Journal Method and Time-Block Planners
12:30 - How to use the Pocket Notebook Method
This video was sponsored by Shortform
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I'm watching this after scrolling youtube for about 45 mins.
😂
“Is this the best way to use technology to support my values?” I love this idea
Yeah I loved that line too. Such a powerful question
🤔 The shut- down complete idea hit me like a ton of bricks. I’m a work from home homeschooling mom and I never feel like I’m done with my work. It occurred to me that I could use that top section to define what “complete” might mean for that day and if I achieve that, check off the box and call it a day, rather than going to bed with a ton of anxiety about what I didn’t get done that day.
Great video!
100%! Write down the tasks for the day, you can even time block when you will do them, then once they're done ✔️ the box and feel at ease. I have a lot of jobs and I definitely feel a similar anxiety about not being done. But once I've agreed on what a successful day looks like, I don't sweat the extra and I can sleep
The shut down is necessary for me. It helps with my energy level which supports everything.
Same here. “Evening admin” (as opposed to morning admin) had really helped me shift out of work mode into home and relaxing mode.
🤔
I started using a pocket journal for everything. Grocery lists, dinner schedule, phone calls to make, etc. Not quite as organized as yours but definitely helps manage my adhd.
Oh yeah that sounds like a pocket notebook catch-all all, that's my main notebook, I did a video on it here: th-cam.com/video/f_MddQW3U5E/w-d-xo.html
🤔 One of the best pieces of advice I've ever been given regarding scheduling and time blocking.... "What gets scheduled, is what gets done." It's so simple but it's 100% true.
I tried using Todoist and all those productivity apps, but they just got so overwhelming and unsustainable. Analog is where it's at 🙌 Love the framework of not necessarily optimizing *everything* you can with technology, and being intentional about how to use it to support your values
I'm using both todoist and physical notebook.
My boss uses todoist and absolutely loves it. It stressed me out and wasn't helpful for me at all lol. Funny how it works for some and not others but I'm with you
Same here! I tried TickTick and todoist for a while but it got too much when I also made to do lists and notes in Apple Notes. Now I just use Apple Notes and a physical notebook.
🧐 In my undergraduate work I was a double major in biblical studies and social and political sciences. Also, I minored in Christian philosophy. I just came upon your post in TH-cam. I’m old now, 62, and I’m dealing with a brain injury from a bad car wreck. Although I practiced law for 25 years, I had to hand in my law license and return my driver’s license.
But you know I understood what you were saying! 🎉
And it’s been years since I’ve had any type of philosophical conversations with anybody! I guess some philosophy was presented and discussed in law school, but that was the class of 1989. I’m looking for forward to following you on TH-cam. Thank you.
That sounds incredibly tough! I'm sorry. I'm really glad you were able to benefit from my video though! I'm going to pray for you right now. I hope you continue to benefit from my vids. Thanks for this comment
Beautiful story! Thanks for sharing, I have a TBI from a bad car wreck too and I love to hear other success stories.
Why am I just finding this lol. I've been obsessed with exactly these kinds of topics for years. The topics you cover in your channel form the foundation from which I base many of my thoughts on self-improvement. Except, your ideas are much, much better.
Very excited to keep watching
Let's go!! 🫡
12:38 I like to keep the index on the last pages and also do them as I go, but backwards. This way I can do literally anything I want and still fit it on an index
Woah that's different!
Same here, so you ensure that you don't waste pages
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Love that you've decided to do more pocket notebook / journal videos instead of a one and done deal. I've subscribed because of your catch-all pocket notebook video and so far I'm really enjoying what you do on this channel as well as on the podcast. Keep up the great work, I'd love to hear more of your ideas / how to manage notebooks / journaling type stuff.
Parker, cannot thank you enough for your videos. You are teaching me to "Think" from a different perspective. This was a great "Productivity" video. Keep them coming . . . 🤔
Totally with the idea that the more tech advances the more i want and yearn for analogue. Even picking up a pen and opening a notebook feels like an exercise in meditative focus these days. Totally love your videos my man. Also love the book cave. Salute!
every video I watch of yours gets me a step closer to clearity
I used to love collecting notebooks but now I started using them for good
it's amazing how TH-cam works , you influence me like nobody else has though I've met many wise people.
watching your videos from Libya ❤
🤔 you're doing the kind of videos that I'm looking for doing in Italian for people in Italy, where I see a real need of this type of thinking and approaching technology!
I'm using the same method of yours, mixing bullet journal with time blocking! Really well done! Keep up with these amazing content please! ❤
🤔 I started with the bullet journal method this summer. then I modified it to something similar to what you are doing here. I have a two page daily spread. I have my devotional prayer journal on the left page and the right page has hour breakdown, tasks, and health tracking. It have been super helpful. Great video.
Yes! Thank you for making this video! More analog notes system and digital minimalism please!!! 🙋
🤔 I've been a big pocket notebook guy for writing endeavours but I've been slacking. You're really helping me get back into it and even expand on how I use them. Subscribed for damn sure
I’ve fallen in and out of bullet journaling previously, and have often felt frustrated when I don’t stick to my predetermined time blocks. I really like that you included what to do when that happens, and leave intentional space for things to go ‘off the rails’. I just picked up a set of 6 cheap pocket notebooks, so I’m going to give something like this a try - your videos have been really helpful so far -lots to ponder 🤔
Yeah you gotta redo the blocks when things don't go according to plan. It's messy but so is life. Thanks for this comment!
Sat in a Panera last night with this book (Digital Minimalism) and my pocket notebook! Thanks for the content and great ideas! I’m excited to read the rest of this book!
🤔 Really nice. I love the combination of bullet journaling and time block planning, both of which I’ve been using and now feel even better about putting them together into an integrated system. It helps that your style is “quick and simple” on the page, not some overly wrought fancy style like you see online.
I'm just not super fancy in general lol. I like how some of those fancy ones look, I just can't do it and if I could it would take me way too long. I used my notebooks as tools. I like that you get that 🤝💪
this is great. posted this on your short, but i also i go through a pocket - sized moleskine at least once every month or so. i jot down things that have happened throughout the day, as well as whatever thoughts , ideas , or inspiration comes up. has made all the difference in how i treat my creative writing process.
thanks for sharing this man much appreciated.
🤔 Really love your videos. I’m not much a fan of journalling and prefer to process things in my head chaotically, but always learn some very useful tips from you. Keep up the good work, Park.
@mamato12_blessings Hehe. Yeah, journaling is energy-consuming, and if we have to vent our emotions and thoughts always through it, that puts us at a disadvantage when we won’t have time to journal.
Getting a little pocket notebook tomorrow, I filled one up recently, but it was just word vomit with no rhyme or reason, this helps me understand how to structure everything and I am excited to see how it helps funnel my focus and as a benefit, keep me off my phone--My hands hurt from texting anyways! Thank you!
🤔 Well done!
I have employed a myriad of methods. Spent a small fortune over the years and the small “jotter” wrapped in my Saddlebackleather cover remains with me at all times.
My uncle says that he has a great memory…it’s just his recall that he struggles with!
Capturing has been a strong suit in my life but the daily review has been more elusive…
A presentation of your routine for the daily/weekly reflections, would have value for me and perhaps others.
Great content!
Im so thankful for the internet recommending you.
🤔I really enjoy your videos, and I have come to realise that it has begun influencing my life in a positive way.
takeaway:
I got this idea of combining my phone case with a pocketnotebook, so that everytime I use my phone theres the note close to it, reminding me of the things I should be doing.
I dont think I will be making phonecase-notebook thing anytime soon, but I am ordering my pocketnotebook right away.
Thanks for inspiring me to read more, be more efficient and intentional about the usage of my time, and journal more.
🤔 “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” - Ben
Thanks for the great reminder.
I constantly need it too!
🤔 thank you. This is a good reminder for me to get back to using the time blocks. Using a notebook is simple and uncomplicated.
🤔saw a video from you a while back and when I saw a leather bound pocket journal at a silent auction I just had to have it!! Started jotting my Brain Blasts when they came to me, but didn't have a system to break away from my endless scrolling. So glad this video came up in my feed, thank you for making great content!
This is awesome! I'm glad I get to play a small part in your journey here
🤔I have recently found your channel and have enjoyed pondering many things you have to say. I appreciate the time and effort you put in.
🤔 This video is awesome, I've been thinking on starting again a bullet journal and I have read Cal Newport's book, It's such a great idea to combine the time blocking with it, that's my takeaway, thanks for the idea
🤔 Love the effort and depth of thinking applied to this.
🤔 This is a great video. I also used to use notebooks to take notes from books while I process the notes and information, which seems to be what you are doing. Then, I moved to a zettlekasten system using notecards. I just started and I see myself using a combo of notebooks and notecards. Like you say, it has to work for you!
🤔 I've been looking for a better way to plan my day for so long. I enjoy planning my day hour by hour, but I'm also really busy and like to have a traditional planner. I've found that carrying something that does both is too bulky and I never use it. To mitigate that, I've started using google calendars which has been a life saver, but I still haven't been able to plan specific hours of the day. So, I bought a dotted notebook and I'm going to try this method because it seems like the perfect way to plan my day without carrying a bulky planner! Thanks Parker, I love your videos!
I always feel like my time was well spent when I watch your videos. So well put together and I enjoy your presentation skills. Merry Christmas and I want to wish you a prosperous and fulfilling New Year. God bless you and all. you love.
Lots to think about here. I recently retired (11/23/23), and am in awe of how much time I have on my hands now. I find myself gravitating toward adding structure to my life - weird, right? In theory, retirement is all about relaxation, but in reality, you can’t just shut off the need to be productive. I’m fortunate, I have many hobbies and a desire to be a life-long learner. That said, I’m acutely aware that the clock is ticking 😳.
I really love your perspective on things thank you for sharing I’m excited to see more!
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Definitely going to start carrying a pocket notebook along with some other EDC tools. I find now that I'm getting older and have 4 kids, I crave organization and don't have much time to waste. Something like this would help me immensely.
I appreciate the bibliographic information. Keep it up.
🤔 Read Cal Newports "Deep Work" a few months ago and enjoyed this video because it remembered me of some things like Newports "shutdown" method. Keep things up! 🤜🤛
Love me some cal
🤔 great video. Thought provoking. I really like the blend of philosophy with a simple note system.
😮 I guess I am digital minimalist and didn’t know it. However, I can incorporate the time blocking because I do go down the rabbit hole of social media. Thanks for the video. I have consumed quite a few of your videos.
🤔 this is awesome great way to track time.. I felt bullet journaling alone had a missing piece… it’s like great I planned out my day but then I set the notebook aside and end up not following my plan. I know there is rapid logging but i found it odd ..I like the time blocking much better thank you for the book recommendation too
🤔 Great content mate! Not having read Digital Minimalism yet, I now know my way forward with tech. Side note, the bujo leuchturrm paper is perfect for fountain pens!
🧐 keep it up! I am just diving into Cal Newport’s multilevel planning system and you have the analogue daily plan down! I’ll be using your adaptation in my daily field notes/log & jotter notebooks for life and work!
Nice!! Cal is the man. I really like Field Notes. Next time you grab some do it from their website and use my promo code PARKERNOTES at check out for 10% off your full order. I love that I get to give my audience a discount and support Field Notes directly and not have to go through Amazon.
I will, thank you!
Great stuff as always, Parker!
First time viewer. Great tips. I just recently started using journals and planners. I found using a couple of sentences or even using one or two words was sufficient, instead of trying to write a flowery novel. I'm going to try time blocking my weekends.
Nice! I hope it works well for you!
🤔 got my first Leuchtturm pocket notebook last week and was still searching for the best way to use it. Now I have a good system to try 🙌
So great! I hope it helps!
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I like the idea of combining time blocking into the bullet Journal. I sort of do this to plan my week, but not my day.
Am going to use the daily metrics to log my reading, after watching your reading goals video!
🤔 liked this a lot, I have used R.C.’s method successfully in the past but veered off into TH-cam plannerland for the past few years. This has cost me alot of time and energy. Thank you for this very helpful video. Going to really think hard about my next productivity tool.
I love that! Thanks for sharing with us!
ı have been searching for an effective planning system for a really long time. that is the one I would like to apply to my life and ı have found it in this video. thank you parker
Let's go!! This is awesome. Glad I could help
I ordered a similar Rhodia notebook online, and I find to a tad to bulky to easily carry around. But I am definitely going to try this blocking method
bro your stache is legendary. also I did the philosophy, I'm on my first read through of meditations.
Great video and explanations of the methods and your cross of the two. Love your cross method. You had some good ideas for what to do when you have to adjust your schedule. I always hated revising a pen written schedule, but yours is clear and doesn't look messy. I am currently working on a Notion template for timeboxing to share and you got me thinking of an article to write about it; thank you. I am going to share a link to this video in it as a reference for digital minimalist's approach to timeboxing. Again, great video!
Awesome! So glad you liked it and would definitely appreciate a link to my vid. So cool!
🤔 Great video, great content, I just love it. Glad to to know I'm not alone obsessing about writing my thoughts and organizing my life using notebooks while minimizing digital usage
Bro, i really appreciate your work and all the effort you put into production. I just want to tell you to set the camera settings and focus to Manual and adjust them accordingly, autofocus and auto exposure break the uniformity between takes. Good luck 🤙🏻
🤔 Thanks for the video I’ve been looking for a good simple time blocking system, this one looks promising!
🤔 love your content. Really compels action… to the point w/tools. Love it!
Thank you!!
thats a great idea , i start using it , combining work+personal calendar into one sheet so i can structure my day :) Thank park
🙌🙌🫡🫡🤝
🤔 Really interesting. I might start using the timeblick method to plan out my day. I really like that. This has given me a few new ideas to use in my notebook and plan and track my day, thank you!
Awesome! That's all I want to do. Just give some new ideas. So glad you get this
🤔 I've consistently managed to use my own version of bujo, since i take lots of notes besides the planning. The shutdown complete is the cherry on top 🎉, thanks!
I love that! I'm so glad there are so many notebook heads out here!
🤔 I needed to slow this one done and process it. I've used a bujo for years, but recently gave up on time blocking just because it seemed a bit too controlling or rigid. But dipping back into Newport here makes me reconsider. I think I'll go back to combining them for a while. Thanks for this video!
🤔I've used a self modified version of Michael Hyatt's full-focus planner with a a pseudo bullet-journaling in A-5 size notebooks. I have also realized recently that using some block planning and block working will be super helpful for my super flexible and changing schedule. I appreciate your use of drawing out a simple block schedule. Thanks for sharing!
🤔 I hadn't heard the term Digital Minimalism before, interesting concept. I can definitely see how having an analog system to optimize your day/time could come in handy. Going to check out Cal Newport's book, thanks for the info!
🤔Thanks for this vid. Really encourages me to schedule my day better.
I'm so glad! Thanks for the comment
🤔This was actually really good!! 😍 Thank you for sharing!!
So glad you like it!
Love the idea of the daily metrics. Definitely something I need to incorporate 🤔
It's really helpful
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I’m not sure if I want to get this detailed yet but I like the time blocking idea. I need to give the tech minimalism more thought. Overall, this was helpful!
🤔 really great tips. I especially like the time blocking method. Will start to incorporate that into my daily planning.
Oh I'm so glad people are excited about it. It's been a real help for me. Glad to pass it on to you
🤔💭🤔 love your content and thank you for the ideas especially the book recommendations. 🙏
🤔 just stumbled upon your stuff. i have really enjoyed it and found it insightful! i will try to implement some of the ideas you presented.
🤔 Interesting and useful video. I always get great book recommendations from this channel
🤔 Lot to think about! I have a bit of a hybrid analog/digital system but I do find myself constantly distracted when I go to use my digital tools. I can’t tell you how many times I open my phone specifically to log something in Things 3 or Obsidian and immediately blank on what I was going to do even though I keep both of those immediately on my home page and bar. There’s definitely a problem to be addressed there. Intentionality is my theme for the upcoming year, so your video has definitely given me plenty to consider going into that!
🤔:1 For my own use, I think I will test out time blocking periodically for days that are outside of my normal routine. Sundays mostly. I periodically make timelines of what an ideal week day would look like, time blocking will be taking over this task 100%.
🤔:2 Digital Minimalism you say? This is going on my Audible docket once I am done The Great Mental Models Vol. 3.
Good work!
🤔This gives me further food for thought to improve my productivity and note-taking routines. I've never really considered using pocket notebooks at all, since I tend to write larger letters to make them more distinct and readable. But currently taking quick notes on my smartphone can be a bit of a hassle, since I am not that good at typing fast ad without errors (be they my fault or autocorrect's), I try to be slower and more meticulous. That's good, of course, for a lot of things, but for quickly jotting down notes a pocket notebook or something might be a better idea. I am more confident in writing with fewer errors AND wouldn't have to deal with autocorrect issues. Anyway, I'm rambling. Great video!
Hope this channel blows up🙏🏼
🤔I love to journal. Issue for me is that I never can stay consistent or I mess up the book I am working on and scrap it until I get the motivation to start again. I have a lot of things on my plate and I can't seem to get organized despite all of the apps I have on my phone. I find any tool I use to have some sort of distractor (ads, pop-ups, emails, etc) I really just want to throw my phone away, but realistically I know I can't lol. I am going to try some of the journaling methods you described and hopefully that structure works better for me than making my own. Wish me luck! lol
🤔Good one! Your videos are really helpful man!
🤔Awesome video, i have been learning a lot because of your videos, step by step on my self-improvement jorney.
This is great to hear! I'm glad I get to play a smart part!
🤔 I've always liked the idea of bullet journaling but felt like it would be too hard to add into my life. Gonna give it a go in the simpliest of ways this week... see how it changes my tech use and time management. Great video!
Thank you! I hope it helps!
🤔 thank you so much for your content. I`m really struggling with journaling and reflecting my thoughts for years. Your videos help me to help myself understanding me. (If that makes sense)
Pro tip: put the index/TOC in the back of the notebook and work it towards the front in order to minimize wasted pages due to over or under allocating the size of the TOC upfront. What is ironic is that this is a concept that comes from my computer science background with an extremely technology-forwards focus on data systems. :-D
Not sure time blocking like this would work for me as the overhead of reallocating time blocks to account for shifting priorities would be too expensive and I could easily see myself shedding load by simply not transcribing the queue adjustments. Many of my tasks, whether it is debugging or designing, are not bound monotonically; if I get to the "end" of a time block but am "in the zone" it is easier to simply ignore the next task and continue working while state is loaded in my head.
But using what is effectively a write ahead log for wetware to keep track of ideas for later seems useful, especially working on a longer duration scale. The trick is, going back and the end of the day and putting those ideas somewhere easily referenced in the future.
🤔 This was insightful, thank you for sharing it.
🤔HI I´m from Argentina, great material, thanks I do really enjoy your videos, thanks for sharing!
🤝🤝🫡
🤔 Great video. It was really helpful to see how you combined the two methods. Simple and easy to follow. I am thinking about how to incorporate in a job where I keep track of my meetings through my outlook and join them online. I might be able to use it to plan my month and my days off but won't be able to plan my work days. But I think it will still have a huge impact on reducing my screen time. Thank you.
Awesome!! So glad you liked it 🙌
I bought the book for my Kindle shortly after I heard him on a Bigger Pockets interview, but unfortunately, I haven't even started reading the book.
2 years ago, I attempted to give bullet journaling a try, but found myself only duplicating what I already used efficiently digitally. A few months ago, I downloaded the Day One journal app and have enjoyed using it with the option to scan a handwritten page into the digital journal, if I choose.
I have however, started using a notebook as a journal for work, which hasn't been too bad so far and I actually look forward to writing something in it at the end of the day, no matter the length of what is written.
That journal sounds great. Thanksnfor the comment, I know other people reading this will appreciate the suggestions too
🤔 I’m Thinking. I enjoy your videos, please keep them coming. Thank You.
🤔 yay! The algorithm brought me back to your videos… gonna get a pocket notebook today
Let's go! (You should subscribe though 😅)
I did this time @@ParkerNotes
🤔¡Fantástico! Realmente minimalista, sobretodo las líneas del calendario del semestre, muy práctico.
¡Gracias!
I hit that subscribe button so quick when you said "help you study and think more deeply"
Haha I love that
🤔 I really liked the approach, particularly integrating the two methods. I’ll be giving it a shot soon.
Awesome!
Dude is becoming my favourite TH-camr
Let's go. Glad to have people like you here
I've spent a truly absurd amount of time overworkshopping which notebook to buy. I'm thinking Midori MD.... but there are still so many options!
Midori is great!
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔. THANK YOU - I did this once to finish college and it worked beautifully - do you also meditate? The method I do, where you remember what you thought about is very powerful.
🤔 Always good material. I've been doing the same with analog notebooks. As an engineer and autodidact I'm trying to create optimal notebooks for different tasks.
I love it! Great to have you here
🤔I need to get back in to time blocking. I might consider this vs having a full year planner. I've used a Weekly Passion Planner the past 2 years and really enjoy it (used the daily blank dated one before that but realized I hardly used it so moved to the weekly) but I'm having trouble remembering to come back to the planner to look at and complete tasks. It's large so I don't carry it with me all the time like I can a pocket notebook in my pocket. Food for thought!
🤔 thanks for doing what you do Parker!
🤝 thanks!!
Made me 🤔. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you! 🤝
🤔 your are really shaping my way on how to think better thank you :D😄😃
I'm so glad! Makes me want to work even harder on this content