Notebooks: Keeping My Focus

There are times that I need reminding that I am keeping my focus, and can relax. When I need reminding that I have gotten a lot done and can chip away at the next important thing, I refer to my notebooks. Years ago I used to work in an outpatient mental health and substance abuse clinic. One of the counselors there shared a really cool term with me when he saw how I always used a notebook; a surrogate memory.

I write things down when I think of them so I can continue to focus on whatever is happening; class, meeting, church, or even just watching TV. But I usually have that moment where I wonder what great idea I had come up with earlier that I knew I wanted to get done! My notebook/surrogate memory helps me.

Managing something bigger is helped by all the lists I put in my notebooks too. There are times when anything I am working on is helped by the order I do things in. I have done things when I have gotten in my own way and that is frustrating. The benefit is when I just get it all written down. A lot of my notebook entries are just every thought of getting things documented. Then I take a second look and either lump things together, put them in order or even look at who I need to get it done. Whether it is consolidating resources, getting help or planning financially, I can keep my own progress moving along well and this is really encouraging!

Crossing things off the list is super satisfying and what really keeps me coming back for more!