The Power of a Notebook

I carry around a notebook everywhere I go, no matter the circumstance. I had one in my front flannel pocket on a date. It was in my back pocket during a job interview, and I have it between the folds of the book I am currently obsessed with. There is no solid reason why you can’t carry one around, but why would you?

Let me walk you through it.

Ideas come in spurts, off a work timeline. As a human, you have three main social ecosystems: Work, Family, and Inner Dialogue. You spend roughly 1/3 of your time at work doing tasks you get paid to achieve, but you also don’t stop being human from nine to five. You have ideas that are outside the task at hand. The quick solution is to write it down (remember to write it in your work notebook; it will get lost).

In comes your notebook. Others call it a ‘commonplace book.’ This notebook will be your catchall for your thoughts. Your notebook is a sacred spot, unedited by the world. Grammar no longer matters. Your ideas can be unfiltered.

Here is mine:

Here are some facts supporting why you should have a notebook:

1. Ryan Holiday from Thought Catalog states, “Actually writing the stuff down is crucial. I know it’s easier to keep a Google Doc or an Evernote project of your favorite quotes…but easy has got nothing to do with this. As Raymond Chandler put it, “When you have to use your energy to put those words down, you are more apt to make them count.” (Disclosure: for really long pieces, I’ll type it up and print it out).” Fact: Numerous studies find that writing by hand can help you process information better, remember more, and think faster than typing it all out.
2. Like my earlier point, Allen Ginsberg once said, “If the muse comes to your bedside, don’t tell her you’ll #$# her later.” Ideas will come at random times, not on a schedule. If you carry a notebook, you can get it out of your system and have the ability to revisit it later.
3. Our memory is the worst it has ever been. With platforms like TikTok, we need to be better equipped to deal with more extended information rather than short spurts of information. Crate Club’s article “5 Reasons Why I Always Have A Notebook” said it best: “This could be the biggest reason ever to have a notebook. For some reason, I can remember the name of Jane’s favorite gun in Firefly, but can’t remember exactly what time my weekly physical therapy appointment is.”
4. You can collect what inspires you in your way. The article “Why you should keep a notebook — Part 1” states that “a notebook is also a great space to record any noteworthy inspirations you encounter while going through your daily life. Perhaps you spot an interesting “quotation of the day” in your favorite coffee shop. Or you hear someone pose a profound, thought-provoking question in a meeting.”

The power of a notebook lies in its versatility. It’s not confined to a single purpose or a specific type of content. It’s your haven for everything from scribbled thoughts during a coffee break to profound quotes that stop you in your tracks.

There’s something liberating about putting pen to paper without the confines of judgment or editing. Your notebook is your space — free from the distractions of digital platforms and the pressure of perfection. It’s a place where rough ideas flourish and take shape, where the messiness of creativity finds its voice.

So, why carry a notebook? Because within those pages lies the potential for innovation, introspection, and discovery. It’s a simple tool with immeasurable power — a companion that captures the essence of your mind and soul, one scribble at a time.

Do you agree? Let me know your thoughts.