## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=0s) - A brilliant idea is not useful if it cannot be remembered or retrieved [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=0s). - An experiment was conducted for the month of November using a [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]] to record thoughts, questions, ideas, and tasks [(00:00:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=7s). - The goal of the experiment was to refine ideas and make them more tangible and useful by writing them down in the notebook [(00:00:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=18s). - The pocket notebook was used instead of a phone to record thoughts and ideas, even when the initial impulse was to use the phone [(00:00:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=25s). - The experiment lasted for 30 days [(00:00:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=27s). ## First Update [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=33s) - It has been two days since starting to use a [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]], and it has already proven to be useful in capturing information that would have otherwise been forgotten [(00:00:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=33s). - Two pieces of information have been recorded in the notebook so far, including a quote about planning that was found by the writer's boyfriend [(00:00:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=47s). - The quote, "failing to plan is planning to fail," was written down in the notebook to be commonplaced, or recorded in a commonplace book, for future reference [(00:00:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=53s). - Without the notebook, the quote would have likely been forgotten after initial enthusiasm [(00:01:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=63s). - The notebook was tested with pens from a stationery store to ensure compatibility with writing tools already in use [(00:01:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=72s). - Instead of screenshotting information from social media and never referring to it again, the notebook allows for written records that can be easily accessed and referenced [(00:01:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=82s). - Information recorded in the notebook is organized using labels, such as "W" for wish list, to categorize and prioritize entries [(00:01:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=90s). - The writer is excited to see how using the notebook will continue to impact their ability to capture and retain information over the next 30 days [(00:01:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=97s). ## Second Update [(00:01:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=98s) - An update is being provided on the use of a [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]], with the current date being November 13th, and the user is about halfway through the notebook [(00:01:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=99s). - The user has been using a pink Pental EnerGel pen to indicate whether a day's entries are complete, meaning all information has been safely migrated or completed [(00:01:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=110s). - The user has been writing down all mental notes, including small reminders such as trying a potato hack for dinner and eating expired black beans soon [(00:02:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=126s). - Writing down these notes has been helpful in remembering to take action, such as trying the potato hack and eating the black beans before they expire [(00:02:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=133s). - Having a "grounding spot" or "home base" in the notebook has been helpful for keeping track of important information and knowing where to find it [(00:02:43)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=163s). - The user has also been using the notebook to keep a grocery list, which was taken to the grocery store and proved to be helpful [(00:02:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=173s). - A note was made about a new show to watch, "St. Dentist Medical", and the user plans to watch it with their group chat after writing it down in the notebook [(00:03:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=184s). - Writing down the note about the show has ensured that the user will follow up on it, rather than forgetting about it [(00:03:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=195s). ## Third Update [(00:03:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=209s) - The experiment is nearing its end, with only about a week left until its completion, as of November 23rd [(00:03:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=210s). - The [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]] has been used as a combination of a brain dump for every thought and a running to-do list, with daily entries [(00:03:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=221s). - Entries include a mix of thoughts, to-do lists, and personal interests, such as crocheting a book bag [(00:03:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=236s). - A system of using "M" for morning and "A" for afternoon has been implemented to indicate when tasks should be completed [(00:04:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=249s). - The pocket notebook is used in combination with a Hobonichi Weeks, with the rolling weekly feature being deconstructed and used in a more flexible way [(00:04:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=259s). - The notebook has proven useful for capturing song lyrics and ideas that might otherwise be forgotten, as seen in a recent entry from a walk [(00:04:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=273s). - The Traveler's Company little brass pen has been used with the notebook, offering a compact size but scratchy ink [(00:04:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=296s). ## Final Update [(00:05:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=315s) - The experiment with the [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]] has officially completed as of December, and some final notes have been written down to summarize the experience [(00:05:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=315s). - A notable entry from the notebook highlights the tendency for negative thoughts to be at the forefront, while subsidiary thoughts tend to be more positive, and demonstrates the combination of thoughts and to-do lists used in the notebook [(00:05:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=330s). - The process of using the notebook involves allocating tasks and marking pages as complete, which is helpful for keeping track of progress and avoiding the need to revisit completed pages [(00:06:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=362s). - The notebook has been found to be a helpful tool, and it is likely to be continued as a part of daily life, with the benefits becoming more apparent as the experiment progressed [(00:06:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=376s). - The notebook contains some Christmas-related information, so some individuals (referred to as "mama or Popa yourn") are advised not to read it [(00:06:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=388s). - A final thoughts section will be presented to summarize the experience and provide concluding remarks [(00:06:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=395s). ## Final Thoughts [(00:06:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=398s) - The experiment has concluded, and final thoughts have been gathered to be shared. [(00:06:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=399s) - The notebook served as a "landing place" during the experiment. [(00:06:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=414s) ## Landing Place [(00:06:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=417s) - A person collects various bits of information daily, similar to a bee collecting pollen from different flowers, and without a single "Landing place" to store this information, it becomes dispersed and useless [(00:06:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=419s). - This notebook serves as a central location, like a beehive, where information can be stored and retrieved, allowing the person to collect more information without worrying about where the previous pieces were [(00:07:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=434s). - The notebook contains a mix of important and unimportant information, including various ideas, and having everything in one place prevents ideas from being spread across different media, such as phones or sticky notes [(00:07:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=451s). - Having all information in one place enables the person to perform the next step, called "filtering" [(00:07:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=479s). ## The "Filtering Funnel" [(00:08:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=483s) - The process of filtering information involves reviewing entries and determining which pieces of information are useful or useless, allowing for the elimination of unnecessary thoughts and the migration of valuable information to other planners for more meaningful consideration [(00:08:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=483s). - Information deemed useless, such as to-do items, can be crossed off and no longer carried as a mental burden, while more useful information can be relocated to other planners for more thoughtful handling [(00:08:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=492s). - This process of commonplacing information allows for the redistribution of mental load and provides a designated space for storing and dealing with information at a later time [(00:08:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=508s). - The relocation of information can involve moving it to specific planners, such as the Hobonichi weeks or a wish list, depending on the type of information and its intended use [(00:08:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=511s). - The filtering process helps alleviate mental pressure by providing a centralized location for storing information, allowing for more organized and thoughtful consideration of thoughts and ideas [(00:08:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=517s). - The experiment with the notebook allowed for the development of a "[[Filter funnel | filtering funnel]]" system, enabling more intentional and thoughtful processing of information [(00:08:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=527s). - The notebook served as a tool for thinking and processing information first, before deciding how to act on it or where to store it [(00:08:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=531s). ## Thinking First [(00:08:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=532s) - Having a [[Police notebook | pocket notebook]] at all times encouraged critical thinking and intercepted the automatic response to look things up on a phone, allowing for sitting with uncertainty and boredom for longer periods [(00:08:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=534s). - This was especially helpful for someone who struggles with [[Obsessive–compulsive disorder | OCD]], as putting thoughts down in the notebook allowed for acknowledging their existence without giving them more mental energy [(00:09:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=554s). - The notebook also helped improve attention span by not immediately looking up answers to trivial questions, instead letting thoughts linger and marinate in the mind [(00:09:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=570s). - Allowing oneself to think first rather than reaching for a phone to look up information was found to be refreshing and beneficial, giving a sense of power and control [(00:10:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=606s). - Putting down thoughts in the notebook gave a feeling of power and control, rather than helplessness at the mercy of a phone [(00:10:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=629s). - Documenting thoughts is an interesting practice, and those interested can check out Park Notes on [[YouTube]], who has a video on keeping a contemplation notebook [(00:10:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0&t=650s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eM0C8v9ZWy0?si=JacMoSNcp34d-6gA)