I have a little notebook I carry around, just incase I hear something important! The portion of the book I have written started because I had this notebook handy when I got an idea and it just started flowing. Currently to add to my little notebook, is my binder filled with BJJ classroom tips and observations watching people roll. It actually comes in quite handy when I get home to pathetically practice on my grappling dummy.
I’ve always been envious of those who never needed to take notes for test or in school. I have to read the material, take notes, and often times physically practice or experience it in order for it to really sink in and learn it.
"These monumental influencers and thinkers had something in common: the practice of commonplacing. Everywhere they went, these titans of history brought a little notebook with them. Whenever inspiration struck, or whenever they saw just about anything interesting, they wrote down the event right then and there. "
This personally mirrored who has really helped me to compound knowledge in a small way. When I am writing down a new idea that strikes my mind, the process, to me, is spiritual and fulfilling. I can feel something important is going on in my life. Again, the important thing about notetaking is that I build on my existing notes and add new or more knowledge. Notebook, I can say, has led me to generate very crucial ideas including starting Substack. So far, I have written 4 notebook, all revolving around my personal dreams beyond myself. Note taking is fulfilling because it is a solitude conversation with yourself.
I feel like every writer must do this, right? But the phone has replaced the notebook for me, and I’ll stop whatever it is I’m doing to catch a thought.
I think every successful writer must eventually adopt this practice, but then again, minds are so diverse, I wonder if there are those out there who don't need this.
@andrew smith I try to never miss your posts but did miss this one ... probably because i didn't connect with the term "commonplacing." Anyway, thanks so much for this one ... I'm not sure how a writer can survive in today's flood of information without using some form of this practice. Of course, ancient humans thought deeply without notebooks so that's worth thinking about also.
That's usually my process, at least for on-the-spot stuff. Once in email, I'll put it in my calendar (if it's something I need to take care of) or in my writing idea repository, or I'll just take care of whatever it is then and there.
You've just sent me on a half-hour search for a good, AI-assisted voice note taking app. After several tests, I discovered that the built-in "Recorder" app on my Google Pixel phone has quietly undergone an AI overhaul, so it transcribes, tags, and makes every voice note searchable. I can even type a specific word and it will locate that word inside any voice note and let me skip to that exact moment with a click.
I'm sold.
I've heard enough about the benefits of on-the-spot note taking before, but now I'm going to try and finally start practicing it!
You've set me on a path to maybe becoming a better person.
My staff hates it when I go back to my notebook, which has been populated during business travel. They say that’s when the hard questions come from me, when there’s time to connect the dots, put together thoughts, expand on ideas.
I have a little notebook I carry around, just incase I hear something important! The portion of the book I have written started because I had this notebook handy when I got an idea and it just started flowing. Currently to add to my little notebook, is my binder filled with BJJ classroom tips and observations watching people roll. It actually comes in quite handy when I get home to pathetically practice on my grappling dummy.
I’ve always been envious of those who never needed to take notes for test or in school. I have to read the material, take notes, and often times physically practice or experience it in order for it to really sink in and learn it.
I had never heard of commonplacing, so thanks for this article. I think the Talmud is 2000 years of commonplacing!
That's certainly the way I regard it! Lots of learning.
"These monumental influencers and thinkers had something in common: the practice of commonplacing. Everywhere they went, these titans of history brought a little notebook with them. Whenever inspiration struck, or whenever they saw just about anything interesting, they wrote down the event right then and there. "
This personally mirrored who has really helped me to compound knowledge in a small way. When I am writing down a new idea that strikes my mind, the process, to me, is spiritual and fulfilling. I can feel something important is going on in my life. Again, the important thing about notetaking is that I build on my existing notes and add new or more knowledge. Notebook, I can say, has led me to generate very crucial ideas including starting Substack. So far, I have written 4 notebook, all revolving around my personal dreams beyond myself. Note taking is fulfilling because it is a solitude conversation with yourself.
That's awesome, Edwin! Do you ever take notes with a digital app or format? I will often email myself a reminder if I don't have any paper handy.
I feel like every writer must do this, right? But the phone has replaced the notebook for me, and I’ll stop whatever it is I’m doing to catch a thought.
I think every successful writer must eventually adopt this practice, but then again, minds are so diverse, I wonder if there are those out there who don't need this.
@andrew smith I try to never miss your posts but did miss this one ... probably because i didn't connect with the term "commonplacing." Anyway, thanks so much for this one ... I'm not sure how a writer can survive in today's flood of information without using some form of this practice. Of course, ancient humans thought deeply without notebooks so that's worth thinking about also.
I've never even heard of commonplacing. I don't use a notebook, but I do send myself emails all the time to remind myself of things.
That's usually my process, at least for on-the-spot stuff. Once in email, I'll put it in my calendar (if it's something I need to take care of) or in my writing idea repository, or I'll just take care of whatever it is then and there.
You've just sent me on a half-hour search for a good, AI-assisted voice note taking app. After several tests, I discovered that the built-in "Recorder" app on my Google Pixel phone has quietly undergone an AI overhaul, so it transcribes, tags, and makes every voice note searchable. I can even type a specific word and it will locate that word inside any voice note and let me skip to that exact moment with a click.
I'm sold.
I've heard enough about the benefits of on-the-spot note taking before, but now I'm going to try and finally start practicing it!
You've set me on a path to maybe becoming a better person.
I hope you're happy with yourself.
I'm happier if that app works well enough for you, and you convince me to switch the way I'm taking notes!
My staff hates it when I go back to my notebook, which has been populated during business travel. They say that’s when the hard questions come from me, when there’s time to connect the dots, put together thoughts, expand on ideas.
Katrinaplacing!
Ralph Waldo Emerson was another commonplacing practitioner- the essays and poetry for which he is known originated in his notebooks.
John Locke was another really notable name in commonplacing I sort of had to leave out due to time/length. Good callout for Emerson.