The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: civil4life on May 04, 2019, 01:33:25 PM
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In the pasts I have had fits and starts with trying to use a work journal. Due to current circumstances I really need to keep one. I thought I would throw it out to the MMM Community for experience, feedback, suggestions, recommendations, etc.
Paper vs Electronic
Electronic - What app or other software do you use. I am an Android and Windows user.
Any kind of template.
What do you track? How do you use it to follow up on things?
If it matters I am an engineer, but I am in a project management role.
Thanks!
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I don't exactly use it as a journal, but I have found MS OneNote very helpful. It allows you to create electronic notebooks. I started taking all of my work notes in OneNote. It makes searching effortless (across all tabs, books, etc). There is a bit of a learning curve but you can start by just treating like MS Word.
Good luck!
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I have always kept notebooks and log books full on every job I worked. In one project I could go through several. I would capture “To do” lists, meeting minutes/action items, etc.
In February I bought a new iPad Pro when our work computers switched to OneDrive and I realized I could do everything (nearly) on the iPad that I could on my work computer. Plus I would have much easier access to work things when traveling, at home, etc., instead of having to drag out my laptop, power it up, possibly find Wi-Fi or use my phone as a hot spot, etc.
I’ve always been a heavy “Evernotes” user on my cell phone, and now have found it’s even 100x better on my iPad with keyboard. I can type like 100 words a minute vs writing a small fraction that fast. I use Evernote’s now for work and create weekly action item lists, meeting minutes etc. While meeting minutes typically aren’t my responsibility, I do it for my own sake and if no one else does, my coworkers appreciate the detailed follow up emails after with all the action items assigned.
While I bought it just to make my job/life easier, make me more productive, but also to use at home (which I used to only use my phone at home, now I use the iPad which is so much better).
The best part? When I showed my boss all the features on it, he let me expense it! Reimbursed me nearly $1500 that I didn’t expect! (I did get a pretty fully loaded iPad, there’s cheaper options)
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I find that pen and paper works better for me than anything electronic. I keep various books for different situations - work, personal finance, car, investments. Regardless of what I am doing at the time, I find it easier just to scribble with a pen than opening the right app, locating the right file and so on, even if the device is handy.
I also find it easier to flick back through the pages looking for a particular note, as every note is slightly different, rather than the consistency of font and style in an electronic version. The position on a page also gives a visual reminder, that is lacking on other forms.
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