Thread: Journals

On the suggestion of Jockeys and Icedog, I went out and bought a small Moleskine journal at Barnes and Noble. It only cost me $10. At the moment, the only pen I use to write in it is a Zebra 301 rollerball, extra fine. I'm hoping to pick up a fine Lamy Safari shortly to replace the Zebra.

After having it about a week, I can say that I really enjoy it. I try to write in it every day, but some days I don't have anything to say. My goal is to write about the significant events of the day, anyone I meet (because I have a horrible name memory), and any thoughts/ideas I have during the day. This is all in hopes that I can look back and recapture whatever it was that was happening at the time. Who knows, maybe if I have kids, they'll be interested in it as well.

Anyone considering Moleskine should really check it out. I got the size between the pocket and the large size, and it fits into almost anything I could want. The quality of the book is very nice, and the elastic strap is convenient. It has a little pocket at the back, but I haven't decided what I should put in there, if anything.

If you keep a journal, what are your weapons of choice, and what do you prattle on about?

You might find this useful: 10 Great Moleskine Hacks. I use mine with GTD (I have add-ons for Evolution and gmail). Great fun.

I don't do everyday, more of a periodic thing when I get around to it... Would like to do it more often but that whole time thing... grr.

Anyway, I got a nice leatherbound journal with gold edges at Barnes and Noble a few years ago, and love it. Goes well with my Waterman fountain pen (want a better one though).

I do have a Moleskine "travel" journal that stays in my bag at all times.

I'd like to suggest the following: picadillyinc.com

They sell the same style of notebook for a lot less money. They also have bulk purchase discounts that really save money. I use them for shop notes.

Thanks for the link to the Hacks. I've been doing similar things over the years, but I picked up a couple tricks I hadn't thought of.

Originally Posted by Mike Blue

Thanks for the link to the Hacks. I've been doing similar things over the years, but I picked up a couple tricks I hadn't thought of.

I knew I had a few more hidden in my blog...

1. PlannerHack.com | Mike Rohde's Custom Planner Hack
2. Communication Nation: Why techies are leading the back-to-paper movement
3. Getting started with "Getting Things Done" | 43 Folders
4. Moleskine/Hacks - 43FoldersWiki
5. More Moleskine Hacks | 43 Folders
6. Mike's Moleskine Hacks
7. loose wire blog: The Moleskine Multi-Tab Hack
8. Jello Dashboard

Enjoy,
Robin

Hmmm... I despise writing with a passion.

But... My mind seems to be slipping and i need some help keeping track of things.

I find the whole idea of a journal fascinating. I am a procrastinator, but would love to be able and go back to see what I was thinking about in the past. It would be very cool to jot down the days events or activities especially if I make sure I do it everyday.

Definitely have to think about this.......

Thanks,

Lynn

I have done it back over twenty years ago. I would by those lined paper bound notebooks for school kids. I have probably ten of them and look in there every now and then to see what I was doing and thinking in the eighties. I haven't bothered since but I would love to have the patience and persistence to do it with a honing/shaving journal. I've brought it up in the past and even messed with it a little but didn't stay with it.

Originally Posted by Lynn

I find the whole idea of a journal fascinating. I am a procrastinator, but would love to be able and go back to see what I was thinking about in the past. It would be very cool to jot down the days events or activities especially if I make sure I do it everyday.

Definitely have to think about this.......

Thanks,

Lynn

My thoughts exactly. When I tried to do this before, I kicked myself if I didn't hold to the entry-a-day thing. This go 'round, my goal is at least once every other day. I found that writing in it while having a cigar or while I'm relaxing before bed are the best times for me to do it. I don't have much to do, and it helps me reflect on the day better.

Jimmy, I think I might start including smoke and shave of the day entries in there too...such a good idea.

Originally Posted by Quick Orange

Jimmy, I think I might start including smoke and shave of the day entries in there too...such a good idea.

On another forum a friend of mine made a resolution and did do a shave of the day with photo daily for a year. He has since given that up as a daily routine but does occasionally post a photo in SOTD.

I may begin to do that if I ever get a decent digital camera and the discipline to devote 30 minutes of my day to doing the camera work. He also kept a separate file of his SOTD on his PC for easy access. A good idea especially for those of us with large rotations.