Capture Your Ideas with a Bookmark [HD BizBlog 1.2]

Ever since I read Steve Leveen’s Little Guide To Your Well-Read Life, I have become a fan of writing notes to myself in the margins of my non-fiction books. I have found that it helps me to remember what I have read, and leaves a “tag” if I need to go back and refer to something later. I also use a 3″x5″ card as my bookmark for writing longer notes, marking interesting quotes, or capturing questions that occur to me while reading.

If I am planning to do a review of the book after reading it, I also use that notecard to track all of the page numbers where I have highlighted something for quoting or special mention. The Innovation Tools Weblog has a post on how Don Snyder uses his index card bookmark:

“The front of the card is horizontal and contains spaces for book title and author’s name to allow for easy filing. The card opens like a book and the inside is ruled to allow for journal-like entry of important points in the book. I list the page number and then the concept I wish to note. The back of the card includes additional ruled lines for final points. I also included a spot on the front of the card to list the most valuable lesson I learned from the book, as well as a favorite quote… Once a book is read, I can replace it on my bookshelf and file the card/bookmark in my office for future referral. I can file books on subject, author, or title - and information is always on-hand.”

Snyder uses an 8″x6″ ruled card of his own design for these notes, there is a more complete description at Snyder’s BrainBlog. (Which, by the way, also has an interesting post about “old” books being made into “new” journals. I have a feeling that at least a couple of my friends that are into notebooks and DIY stuff will appreciate what hobo arona is doing here.)

This has given me an idea for a formatted notecard to use while reading, specifically designed for taking notes.

Pic of notecard

Here ( note-card-template.pdf ) are two free downloads, a super-simple note card and “pocket” template (and a more detailed one here [ note-card-template2.pdf ]) that you can glue into the front of your book, like Library books had, back in the day. I may do something more elaborate, and offer it in the store with the GTD Calendar and the Review Workbook.

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Original post here: Stephen

4 October 2007 | Books, Design, GTD, Global Microbrand, Hacks, Levenger | Comments

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