A few weeks ago there was a great piece in the New York Times by Josephine Sittenfeld on the opportunities vs. the issues of writing things down in a journal, and then revisiting those notes and those stories years later. The piece pointed to a new tool that Apple was providing for digital journals, and although it is nice to have such things in the cloud, the idea of taking the time to write with pen, or pencil and then circle back to those tangible notes, are invaluable personally and professionally.
I was reminded of this again this weekend, when going through the Concord Museum in Concord, Massachusetts , I came upon the desks of both Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, places where these long ago storytellers did their writing. However what was even more intriguing was a smaller green desk, like the one that was presented from the great Thoreau, where it encouraged people of all ages to sit, and write some thoughts, and to keep doing so.
Writing it down, in your prose, never gets old at any age.
I was reminded of this several times in the last few weeks, first by someone who asked (it happens at least once a month) what page I circled in my “Bible,” and then again a where several younger folks next to me were feverishly writing in journals…vs using their laptops. BTW the “Bible” that is referred to is my own journal…one which has been invaluable to me with its leather cover…
An example as in my basement file cabinet, here I keep the notebooks and legal pads that have spanned the better part of 35 years of works. A midst the doodles and phone numbers and executed lists are always valuable tidbits that one can pull from.
Taking notes is something that I gave never stopped doing; How invaluable are those notes? I as able to go back and review note on promotions like POGS and other examples of special promotions before talking to a class. I also know of more than a few young people who have found journaling very helpful, as well as more than a few senior leaders in every business who remark that their journals…printed books full of thoughts, are invaluable to them in leadership.
Just some reminders on the invaluable use of good note taking from a post past summer.
1- Paper and pen and pad still beats storing everything online. Maybe it’s a bit old school, but I have at least 10-15 legal pads and several notebooks stored away in a drawer with years of notes, lists, and phone numbers from meetings, encounters and random thoughts. I know where they are, they are easily labeled, and I can go through not just to find old info but also to jog the memory from a particular newsworthy event or meeting. Time consuming yes, but always worthwhile. Now I’m not saying I’m writing a memoir…but there is some comfort in seeing notes in my own style and handwriting, vs. the banality of typing away.
2- The backup is needed, and the backup is in the digital space. My schedule, key notes and phone numbers reside online correct, in the cloud somewhere over New Jersey. However I’m not that much of a trusting soul, so when the uber virus hits and wipes out my records and phone numbers…I have the old backup as well. Both fit into a world where memory is short and notes are needed, especially for a sole proprietor.
3- Backup the backup. We are all very busy true. But saving those files on a flash drive once a month, or making sure you invest in a secure backup service, and storing the secure files in a safe place will save a lot of headaches. As I write this there is a slight crack in my laptop, now covered with electric tape, which I’m sure is the beginning of the end. Making sure all is saved somewhere will be a huge help for when the screen goes black.
4- Learn To Listen. Other than storytelling, the greatest tool lost today by distracted devices is the ability to listen. Writing your notes, with ink and everything, makes you a better listener. Better listeners take better notes, better note takers tell better stories.
Now make no mistake, I thrive in the immediacy of the digital world. However it is still great to see writers or colleagues in a meeting ONLINE with a small handheld notebook, a legal pad and even a voice recorder giving a story or a meeting his or her own style. Maybe it is still that way in our tablet generation, but relying just on technology is still not the greatest as a stand-alone option. We need personal touch, personal style in addition to personal opinions.
“They Are Good Copy”…Lessons From The Road This Week