Taking notes
I broke down today.
No, I did not go out and buy an iPhone, or something like that. Triggered by Steve's positive comments, I got in the car and drove to the nearest Barnes & Noble book store to buy a Moleskine notebook.
Two, as a matter of fact.
I have never had a good system of taking notes. In college, I started out on loose-leaf blank pages that I would clip into a binder, arranged by subject. When I started working, I turned to regular notepads. Usually the ones where the paper fold on top and can be easily removed from the pad itself by ripping them out along a perforated line. Next, I went to a hard-cover notebook, which I liked a lot.
For some reason, that fell into disuse. Most likely, the hard-cover notebooks were hard to find, or too expensive for me at that time in my life, and I reverted back to college-ruled notebook with the spiral spine on the side. Lately, I have been using a full letter-sized spiral-bound notebook with perforated edges.
Oh, I should also point out that I am not one to take a laptop into meetings for note-taking. It has never worked for me, since most of the notes I take are in some kind of informal symbology that usually looks like UML activity diagrams or some form of architecture drawing.
Anyhow; I'm kind-of done with spiral bound notebooks, regardless of their size. On the plus side, they're cheap, but I hate writing near the spiral. The paper is also usually too thin for the type of pen I use.
So, time for something new.
The Moleskine notebooks come in two sizes, and I got one of each. I intend to carry one with me at all times and I will attempt to use it for "capturing transient thoughts". If you ever get those, you know what I mean. If you don't know what I mean, don't worry about it :-)
The larger size notebook (which is still smaller than a regular college notepad) will be used for note-taking before (!) and during meetings (yes, I usually prepare). As I said, I usually do not write much down during a meeting, other than action points that are assigned to me, things that I want to follow up on, or drawings that help me visualize a certain problem.
The smallest notebook that I bought is a regular lined-one, for the larger I have opted to go bank to blank pages. Time will tell how it is going to work out.
Yes, I write with a fountain pen (Parker brand using blank ink cartridges).
Out of pure curiousity, do a lot of people use laptops in meetings for taking notes? I know you said it doesn't work for you, but I've always been curious to know if that has taken off in any way, shape, or form. Obviously hand-written notes are still preferred by some (including yourself), so not everyone has gone that route, but I was wondering if it is becoming a majority, or if it is still rare to see computer note-taking in the board room?
Thanks,
Jake
www.NoteScribe.net
It really depends on the environment. In my experience, the less operational meetings become, the less you see laptops (or any type of computer).
I have noticed it in my own career; when I was actively doing technical project work and project management, I used to drag my laptop everywhere. All my files were on the machine, ready to be referenced and/or updated.
Now that I am moving via tactical to a more strategic position, I find that I can easily do without the full power of a laptop; a simple device for web browsing and/or email is sufficient.