If you want to find clarity through writing, you may enjoy my 8-day course with journal prompts & action items! Sign up for free here: ericpfohl.com/content-clarity-crash-course

I have journaled for the last 12+ years and not missed a day….its been with me on all my adventures, highs and lows - the changing of seasons - mine and the yearly seasons…

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

So awesome - that’s inspiring! I’m sure you have some amazing things documented.

@Ed-dz6wb

3 ай бұрын

I’ll start to do journal, after you fill out your book you keep it ? Like a historial note

@tmglvr

3 ай бұрын

@@Ed-dz6wb yes! It’s very interesting to look back upon. Highly recommended.

@Milan-cf1xe

2 ай бұрын

How do you write your journals? For me it feels weird to write about my day. Do you write like "Today i did xyz?"

@tmglvr

2 ай бұрын

@@Milan-cf1xe - "Typically, my journal entries are less about "I" and more about "we" - married with three kids, there is always something to journal. Plus, I write a lot about the seasons, first snowfall, colors changing, etc. etc.

Great video. I have used a commonplace notebook for years, and one personal tip I would share is that I like to put my index in the back of the notebook. This allows me to make the index as big or small as it needs to be for that specific notebook

@ericpfohl

3 ай бұрын

Great tip! Haven’t thought about that before, but totally makes sense. Thanks for sharing!

Pen and paper have been the de facto medium for millenia for a really good reason: pocket computers capable of taking notes are barely old enough to drink, lol.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Hahaha so true!

@JessicaFEREM

4 ай бұрын

the atari portfolio is from 1989

@commenter4799

4 ай бұрын

@JessicaFEREM you and I have very different ideas of what "pocket sized" means, lol. I'll have to change my comment to "pocket computers CONVENIENT for taking notes." Even those clamshell things from the 90's weren't all that great, though it may be because I was a kid and didn't have that many phone numbers, meetings, and notes I needed to keep track of, lol.

@brendalg4

3 ай бұрын

Palm Pilot

@TheTravis1984

Ай бұрын

I don't think that the method really matters. Honestly I think the difference between digital, or pen and paper is nil. The benefit of recording information is being intentional as you do it. Trust me, in my school days, I could mindlessly take notes all day, and to this day, I remember nothing.

He speaks the truth, I’ve done this for years but not as thought out at his. Keep em coming bro!

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Much appreciated man! 🙌

My hybrid commonplace journal consists of Google Keep, a pocket notebook, multiple rolls of highlighting washi tape, and multicolored annotation tabs. I save things to keep, like quotes blog posts etc. I also utilize time slots to write those items in keep. I use Reclaim to auto-schedule time slots for morning, midday, and day-end check-ins. I added a Chrome extension based on the Focus To-Do: Pomodoro Timer & To-Do List. It doesn't sound very easy, but it takes longer to explain that to do. I finally talked my husband to start one. I'm showing him your video. Your way of explaining things will work great.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Glad to hear Bridget! Your system sounds great. It’s always so interesting to hear what works for other - so thanks for sharing! I’m also a fan of the Pomodoro technique!

Great video Eric. I have a longing to fill my notebooks more efficiently and I think I'm about to embark on a notebook journey... 1 for work outs, 1 for KZread ideas, 1 for KZread ideas for my other channel, 1 for... well you get it. I realised I have a bunch of Field Notes and Moleskines and probably not enough time left in my life to fill them all, so its time to just get on with it... Love your videos, keep up the good work.

@debbielee93

5 ай бұрын

Let me suggest that you just start with one notebook. Get the information down first and foremost. Then later you may add those notes to a more specific book. Keep the one book with you every where. I prefer cheaper books they are less intimidating for this part of the process. I have a stack of years worth sprial one subject notebooks that cost 25 cents each. I love the spiral pocket size too

@Tim2pointoh

5 ай бұрын

@@debbielee93 I wasn't being 100% serious but this whole "notebook" thing can be made to look quite daunting when you see the multitude content on the matter!

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Tim - thanks so much for the kind words, sir! Use them however you feel makes sense and just let the ideas flow! They become such a great heirloom and peek into your perspective. I appreciate you following along!

@bellachadwitch2108

4 ай бұрын

I started a similar approach - I set up a Traveler's Notebook, one insert for future and monthly logs, one for "keepsake" (lists of good books, quotes, that kinda stuff I didn't want to rewrite every single bullet journal), a scribble insert and finally one for journaling. And as excited as I was (for several months, it was kinda insane), in the end I just felt stressed - for every thing I wrote I first had to decide in which insert I put it down. Since then (2 months now) I've used a pocket notebook where everything just goes in. And then, additionally, I have a tiny "Smartbook" (A7, basically a refined version of the keepsake insert that stays in my backpack) and a goal book which is still a make in progress. It's in a blank rocketbook, and I also keep my future log there. I was heavily inspired by bambook's lifestyle planner for that one. I just love how everybody's system for journaling keeps evolving - I wish you the most fun and excitement over your journey!

Nice video! This is what my notebook system looks like: I have some small stacks of notebooks on my desk/in my drawer, I wrote different titles on them according to whatever project or skill they are attributed. Then I attatched them to eachother with elastic bands so I know which ones belong together; if i'm writing notes on a difficuilt book, I will just attatch a notebook to the book with an elastic band. This strategy forces me to have my notebooks close to me with any project or difficuilt book, this obviously makes me write way more and thus memorizing more. Whenever I pick up one of the projects, I already have the notebook right there and there is no excuse I can tell myself to not take notes or be un-organized about it. So right on my desk I pretty much have the current development of my brain mapped out. Currently I have these 4 projects: - learning Latin via Derek Cooper's "the basics of Latin grammar". - reading/analyzing beyond good and evil, together with lectures on different parts of the book. - reading/analyzing the prince and taking notes on it together with translating parts of it. - And I'm following an online pharmacist's course because I need the certificate for my job.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

So cool, Damin! I think that elastic band idea is a great system. It's easy to be reading a book but not have a notebook accessible in an easy to reach place - but that solves that issue! Thanks for sharing.

Excellent video. Great points and I appreciated the calm and peaceful delivery.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Thanks so much, Cj! I appreciate the kind words!

I can’t wait to start using a commonplace notebook! Thank you for the great video ☺️

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Well thanks Elizabeth! Glad you enjoyed! 😚

Thank you. The power of pen, paper and writing 🙌

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Hard to beat!

I use a common place journal just to capture spontaneous ideas while I’m doing life. I like the idea of going back and expanding on those topics.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

That’s become my favorite part of the process. I’d definitely recommend!

Great video I started carrying a notebook as a 2nd lieutenant in the mid 70s. I spent a couple tours as a staffer. When the general says “It might be nice…. “ it is probably worth considering it more than a suggestion. To this day I carry a Moleskin notebook.

@ericpfohl

2 ай бұрын

Haha so true! That’s super cool. Thanks for sharing.

I've read and listened to so many books about natural history that I have no idea where certain data I want to cite comes from! I'll be notebooking very soon.

@ericpfohl

3 ай бұрын

Awesome, I think that will definitely help you retain that information. Thanks for watching Christi!

Depending on one's desire for organization, a system worth exploring is the Hipster PDA, which had a fair bit of popularity some years ago. The concept is to use a stack of 3x5 cards instead of a bound notebook, held together by a large clip. Using cards enables you to have infinite refills, and organize your cards in any way in the future. The system is as complex or simple as you want. To aid with organization, write new ideas and notes on one card at a time, so you can put like cards together later. Date everything so you know when you wrote it. The cards can even be punched with holes for storage in a index card binders, or left unpunched and stored in index card boxes. It isn't sexy like a bound notebook, but it is far more versatile for organization. It allows you to keep 'permanent' cards with things like writing prompts, gratitude lists etc where you want them, regardless of how much you written on other cards. Something between the Hipster PDA and the bound notebook is the Midori Traveler's Notebook, which uses multiple notebooks about the size of a Field Notes inside a leather cover. The notebooks can be switched out when full, giving you the experience of a nice leather notebook with the versatility of swappable inserts.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Haven't heard of that idea, but sounds super functional! Love the idea of how much easier it would be to organize and combine. Plus, index cards are much cheaper 😉 Thanks for sharing!

Did the same some months ago without knowing its name: added a notebook with the idea to be a catch-all for ideas and notes. So 3 mini notebooks: daily/monthly log, collections (with specific intentions) and this catch all.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Love that idea - thanks for sharing, friend!

I have been journaling for a few years now and make my own journals from start to finish. It is only recently that I have started to use little common place notebooks ( self made). I now have one in the car, one beside me in the sitting room and one in the kitchen. I also use my journals for different interests and all is recorded using a fountain pen!

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

I'd love to make my own at some point, that's super cool. And it's always a great idea to have notebooks in multiples places - you never know when you'll need one!

@Ed-dz6wb

3 ай бұрын

I want to do journal, I’m 17 I had been reading what’s the good thing to do journal, however I’m scared that someone find my journal and read it !! After you finish the book , you keep it like a historial book ?

@margyb7469

22 күн бұрын

Got back into using fountain pens about four years ago. I started writing a journal just so I can write with my F.P's. more often. Now I love journaling, it has been so beneficial for me.

so simple... yet so beautiful and effective...

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Much appreciated, Matthew! Simplicity is key.

I’ve been keeping a commonplace book for about ten years. However mine is a bit larger (5x8ish) and I keep it at my desk. When I fill a book I take a photo or scan of each page and add them to an album on my phone. I can then search the photos by text if need be with my iPhone. This video has promoted me to finally start using a smaller version that I can carry with me. I’m looking forward to trying this. Thanks again!

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Such a great idea to scan each page with your phone and then search from there... going to have to start using that one! Glad this could help, thanks for the feedback!

Love ur ideology and willing to get more of this, Thank you for ur thoughts

@ericpfohl

Ай бұрын

Much appreciated, thanks so much for watching!

I’m 26 and I have memory issues, for me a journal takes so much worry and stress out of the day trying to remember things, I just whip out my notebook, jot something down and stow it away again, I also have the occasional doodle or bit of wisdom in there, I will never go back to not journaling. I also find that writing something down helps me to remember it even if I don’t go back and check my notebook later

@ericpfohl

Ай бұрын

Heck yeah Kevin! I also find that the act of writing something down helps me to remember it so much better. Once you start journaling, it’s hard to stop!

This is good 👍🏼….my secret sauce to a cohesive system of my physical notes melded with digital is the proper use of Smart Folders in Apple Notes…total recall 🥳

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

When I used Apple Notes I never tried out the Smart Folders... but sounds helpful! Thanks for sharing!

This is 🔥, brother!

@ericpfohl

Ай бұрын

Thanks my dude! 👊👊

Greetings from Australia I agree with everything you say. Helpful video.

@ericpfohl

2 ай бұрын

Greetings to you! Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed!

Don't leave the first few pages blank for space to index future ideas/topics. INSTEAD, just flip to the back of the notebook, start at the very last page and use the date (assuming your book doesn't have page numbers) and a very brief description of the content. (This can be a brilliant quote, something to be researched later, or just the address for the new dentist). Eventually, your content moving left to right will reach your index moving right to left. That's when your notebook is full. Oh, important... revisit the things you index. Over time, with perspective and more knowledge, you can upvote/downvote them in relevance (eg the dentist moved! You have a better quote, etc.) so that skimming your index is really valuable and useful.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Great idea!

Finally someone that explain well about common place book. Thank you

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Glad this could help you out, Muhammad! Thanks for watching.

Love that shot with your bible! Getting into the word! Wonder who else caught that haha.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Yes sir! 😄 Daily bread!

@kimf2064

4 ай бұрын

I did!

very convenient notebook. I am going to change my notebook and buy this.

@ericpfohl

3 ай бұрын

Glad to hear, Rakzin! I hope this notebook increases your wisdom! :)

What I do is this. I have a capture notebook that I carry as edc. In this notebook I record everything and put markers in front of the entry. So I know what the information is about (to do, appointments, etc). All the commonplace book informatie I transfer to a bigger notebook where I put all the commonplace book information in.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Sounds like a good plan, Shaif! Thanks for sharing!

@russhyn

5 ай бұрын

What makes you want to write in the pocketbook vs just grabbing your phone and punching it into the notes app? I find it tend to just go for the phone, esp if I’m driving and an idea pops into my head i can voice dictate the note. But even when not driving i have a habit of going for my phone. I want to use the notebook that’s in my pocket but i haven’t been very good with it.

Thanks for sharing!

@ericpfohl

Ай бұрын

Of course, glad you enjoyed!

Thanks also for giving my notebook a name. I didn’t know of this term “common place”. I have a stack of unopened FieldNotes but my soft “common place” notebook is currently holding them back. I’ll tag you in my upcoming video and I’d love your thoughts on my notebook “set up”.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Of course, brother! Would love to give it a watch and let you know my thoughts.

Great video, you have me subbed. I too have been looking for the magic whatever to complete the process & find a way to transfer information to some type of sorting & posting system to have a one place resource for umpteen different subjects (too many for an 86yr old). I'm about to start a new one soon. Cheers all.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for following along, Larry! The organization of it all can definitely be overwhelming. I look forward to finding an effective system for combining digital and stationery. Good on you as 86 years old! 😃

I have gone back to using paper planners, I create my own after looking at everything out there. The front of my notebook is the planner, then the back half is for journaling. The challenge is since paper does not have control F, how do you find things easily?

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

So cool, it's been inspiring to hear people are making their own. And that's a great question, Kim! It's one that I'm still trying to work through a good system for. One way I've heard would be to use color coordinated sticky tabs for certain topics or subjects!

Brother, please try to make video with some bullet points and try to make them category wise. And use graphs and pictures with time slot of each. Bro, please do beleive the process and you will thank me later 😊

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

I appreciate the feedback! 🙂

I have kept a notebook since I became a second lieutenant in 1976, a general officer’s casual comment is usually more than a suggestion. As I write this my moleskin in in my back pocket

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

So legendary! Thanks for sharing. I'm sure those notebooks have a few stories to tell!

I am using filofax pocket for quick notes. First I just writing randomly, then I remix the paper and make it in sequence. And put index tabs with neon colors for different sections.

@ericpfohl

Ай бұрын

Love that idea! Writing "randomly" at first is so much easier than trying to organize a thought when it first comes to mind. Thanks for sharing!

I keep a notebook of every book I read and a line or two from the book.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

That's a great idea, Bridget! I always wish I took more notes with each book I read. Thanks for the input!

I use my for everythink. From planning to tasks to do every day and i have 2nd one i called compedium where i only place quotes to rethink on the bored moment

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Sounds like a great process!

@Hi_Im_Dominik

4 ай бұрын

@@ericpfohl thx. Tried few that one just stuck with me.

Great video, Eric. Happy to be a new subscriber and support a brother in Christ! :)

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Much appreciated Ted, thanks for following along brother! 🙂

Eric nice video..please do a one day in a life video would like to see your daily schedule ❤

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Sijo! I'll add that to my video idea list :)

@sijogeorge3525

5 ай бұрын

@@ericpfohl Would also like to see an edc video so that we can know what all things you carry along with you daily 😊

I'm building one dedicated to my thoughts on grammar, punctuation and writing.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Great idea, Joseph!

Could you give us a peek into one of your common place books? I struggle with the set up, and perfectionism. 😫

@ericpfohl

2 ай бұрын

I understand that feeling! I’ll plan to include this in a future video - thanks for the idea!

@carmenM-ey6qy

2 ай бұрын

@@ericpfohlThanks, looking forward to that!

Put ideas in three different places. ❤

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

It's great to have a system!

The Takeaway : I found this very interesting. Thank you.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Glad to hear that, Henry! Thanks for watching!

Cool dude reading Psalms! God bless mate

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

A great way to start the day! Blessings to you brother!

The only issue is that the notebook can be lost. I wonder if there is a way to document the notebook on a computer. Take pictures of the pages or idk.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Great point. You can take photos of each page of the notebook, that way you can digitize it and also “search” through it this way!

Really enjoying your content. Would to see your Bible study approach with your notebooks as well

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Much appreciated, love the name! 😄 I'd love to do some Bible study videos in the future - thanks for the idea!

I prefer a digital version of this because a lot of times i come back to certain ideas. A normal notebook just would not allow me to return without always leaving a few blank pages after every entry.

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Great point! I do find myself leaving a bit of space blank after certain ideas, but it's almost always never enough haha.

My take is that there are 2 types of notes: (a) Wikipedia-like notes that change gradually and slightly over time (b) Twitter-like notes that are spontaneous (quotes, ideas) - usually never get edited later. While (b) Twitter-notes can be adequately done with pen & paper, to me it's a bit silly to use pen & paper for (a) Wiki-style notes (shopping list, daily routine checklist, list of books to read, etc) because the info is meant to be "built upon" what's already there where digital feels like the right medium to use (it's also very easy to locate & access where that info is stored). Just my 2c ✌️

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Great way to explain it. Those "twitter-like" notes I've found are a great fit for pocket notebooks. Much easier to document them there instead of getting distracted on a phone! Thanks for the input 🙂

Using samsung ultra series with a stylus is good with one note

@ericpfohl

3 ай бұрын

Awesome! I'd love to try something like that eventually.

nice

@ericpfohl

3 ай бұрын

🙏

Notebook cover?

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Here you go! Love this one. Super simple and stylish. welshmtn.com/products/field-note-wallet

🎯 Key Takeaways for quick navigation: 00:00 *📓 Importância dos Cadernos Comuns* - Cadernos comuns são uma forma de coletar e sintetizar ideias de fontes externas. - Permitem documentar, coletar e sintetizar ideias em um só lugar. - Personalidades influentes, como Thomas Jefferson e Mark Twain, mantiveram cadernos comuns para registrar a sabedoria ao seu redor. 03:02 *🖊️ Importância do Uso de Caneta e Papel* - Acredita-se que escrever à mão ajuda na retenção de detalhes. - O processo de escrever à mão é parte integral do uso de cadernos comuns. - Proporciona uma maneira de se destacar em um mundo digitalmente distraído. 04:55 *📚 Organização e Utilização Efetiva do Caderno Comum* - A organização do caderno comum pode variar de pessoa para pessoa. - Revisitar o caderno com frequência é essencial. - As ideias registradas podem ser expandidas por meio da escrita em um processo contínuo de aprendizado e criação. Made with HARPA AI

Nice topic! A nice calming music would also have been great here!

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Much appreciated! I never know if people enjoy background music or not - so thanks for the suggestion!

subtle evangelism. I like it

@ericpfohl

3 ай бұрын

😄😄

Where can I get that hat.

@ericpfohl

Ай бұрын

Haha good question! It was a limited run release from my buddy Cory at www.catchwindclothingco.com. Highly recommend his stuff! He’s an amazing artist

Digital data doesn't get lost, corrupted, or require a battery. I've lost tens of thousands of dollars worth of information in the digital format. Newer isn't necessarily better.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Wow, great point Scott. As a photographer/filmmaker, sometimes I wish I could store these digital files in a trustier place 😅

Great video. BUT 😉 … a pocket book stays for me at least for 3 weeks. Than it becomes too expensive.

@debbielee93

5 ай бұрын

Buy cheap ones. Been using them for years long before I knew about the fancy ones I still prefer the cheap ones

@sinosabesnotemetas

5 ай бұрын

I make them myself out of A4 pages: with a block of 500 A4 pages (5 bucks) I make 4000 A6 pages, about 80/100 pocket notebooks :)

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

I hear ya, Benjamin! I find that if you are tasteful with what you add to them - they can last quite a while. Or, go for the cheap spiral style as other suggest!

@bellachadwitch2108

4 ай бұрын

I go one step further/cheaper than ​@@sinosabesnotemetas: I make junk journals. Just go throuh the paper trash every time before you dump it, save the mostly blank parts and bind it to a notebook. I know it sounds a little weird, put I just love writing on trash😂 No money wasted at all (once you have all the equipment to make them; but they're one-time costs), makes me happy every time :]

Each entry should start with date time and your location. This will be important when you or someone else reviews the notes.

@ericpfohl

2 ай бұрын

Great point! I almost always started with time and date, and get upset with myself when I find a note that isn’t dated!

Eric, I’ll give you a year to motivate you to stay loyal to paper. The year is 775. While everyone else are running around the Tower of Babel you’ll still be able to communicate ❤. 2 Corinthians 1:20. Awesome! Find your contentment in the Creator and not the created. You’ll love the journey. 🎉.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Amen! Thanks for the encouragement!

Anyone here who uses a "e paper writing thingi"? I surely want to take notes via writing with a pen, BUT the benefits / reusability of digital content is a very big argument in my daily life.

@ericpfohl

14 күн бұрын

Definitely understand that feeling! I think having a balance between digital notes and stationery/physical is necessary. I personally just use my phone or iPad for digital notes, but would be curious to hear more about your setup!

You should edit in some gaps in your audio, It sounds like you talk non stop and gets tiring very quickly.A little silence is golden. Not criticising, the video is very informative.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

I seriously appreciate the feedback! I always struggle knowing if the gaps are beneficial or not.. so this helps. Thank you!

Too long and too boring to sit through: any piece of information you think is worth remembering ... write it all down in a single notebook.

@ericpfohl

4 ай бұрын

Nailed it.

note: avoid super mario bros getup to not distract audience

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

It's a me!

Index--> Leuchtrum 1917 Thx for this great video

@ericpfohl

5 ай бұрын

Thanks Ted! I appreciate it!

My hybrid commonplace journal consists of Google Keep, a pocket notebook, multiple rolls of highlighting washi tape, and multicolored annotation tabs. I save things to keep, like quotes blog posts etc. I also utilize time slots to write those items in keep. I use Reclaim to auto-schedule time slots for morning, midday, and day-end check-ins. I added a Chrome extension based on the Focus To-Do: Pomodoro Timer & To-Do List. It doesn't sound very easy, but it takes longer to explain that to do. I finally talked my husband to start one. I'm showing him your video. Your way of explaining things will work great.

@ericpfohl

2 ай бұрын

Awesome, sounds like a great system! Thanks for watching!