Now dozens of applications for planning. Any.do, Wunderlist, Evernote and other similar services have practically superseded our everyday diaries.
However, many continue to use paper for planning. For someone a habit, and for someone – a principle. But both of them have a lot of time for this. It is spent even more to find the right information.
Today we will tell you about the system of keeping records on paper, which will help to put things in order in your diary.
Its author is a web designer Ryder Carroll (Ryder Carroll). Even when he was at school, he did not stick with ordinary records. Every time he tried to make, for example, an abstract about George Washington, instead of text, it turned out a drawing on which the first president of the United States with a gun in his hand saddles a giant bull.
In the end, he decided to create his own system of handwriting records. This technique subsequently helped him finish the institute, and also successfully work as a web designer.
According to Carroll, the ease of his system lies in its simplicity and flexibility.
“We intentionally use standard notations, such as marker lists, checkboxes, page numbers, etc. So you know a lot, even before you start. “
System of “Quick Records”
Terms that you will use to learn it:
- Index is a table of contents. Helps to quickly find the desired record.
- The subject is the name of the entry. It happens basic and secondary (For example, “September / 19”).
- Marker lists – your smart thoughts, or rather, “Tasks”, “Notes” and “Events.”
- Tasks – current affairs, are indicated by checkboxes.
- Notes – ideas, observations, are marked by bold dots.
- Events – upcoming meetings and events, are marked by “empty” circles.
- Notes are the margins. Help to understand the essence of the record (“Priority”, “Learn”, “Stimulus”, “Other”, etc.).
- Page numbers are a “navigator”. Help to quickly find the necessary records.
- Monthly calendar – plans for the next month.
- Agenda – plans for the day.
- Moving is the transfer of uncompleted tasks for the next month / day.
- Collections are thematic lists. They help to “fill” the monthly calendar and agenda (for example, “List of books for reading”, “My wish list”, etc.).
Basic rules that will help you master the system:
1. Start a notebook. It is not necessary to buy “Moleskine” – the notebook will also fit in a box.
2. Number the pages.
3. Create a page with an index – this is the first page of your notebook. The table of contents includes topics and page numbers.
4. Leave a couple of pages for your collections. Make them up.
5. Create a monthly calendar (left page): write the name of the month, numbers and letters denoting the days in a column. On the contrary, specify the birthdays and dates of other activities that will not change exactly.
6. Make a monthly list marker (the right page), that is, tasks and events for the next 30 days. Do not forget about checkboxes, fat points and “empty” circles. This will help quickly visually snatch in the text the right kind of information.
7. Return to the index page and write the page number where this information is located.
8. Outline the agenda (for 1 day or several at once). Do not forget to enter the data in the index.
9. Arrange notes for each task or event.
10. At the end of the month, move all the current tasks to the new monthly calendar.
Tips for using the system:
- Do not be upset if something is overlooked and not made in this or that marker list.
- Mark the completed tasks with checkmarks; tasks that have lost relevance, delete.
- Do not forget to fill the index.
- Group similar or related tasks. To do this on a clean page make a list of such tasks, title it and enter the data into the index.
For those who want to get to know the system of “Quick Records” closer and try it on yourself, there is a visual video.
(Bullet Journal)
