My Supernote Setup

HOW I SETUP MY SUPERNOTE

Over the years, my system has gone through many iterations as I explored different ways to organize and plan. I wanted this part to be more about the process of how I’m organizing my Supernote. More examples of how I’m using my Supernote can be found on my:

• My Four Year Supernote Journey

Now, I've settled on what I believe to be the best setup yet for me--a system that helps me organize, capture ideas, and prepare for the new year with clarity and purpose. Here's a look at how I use my Supernote to stay on top of everything.

1. Top-Down Organization: A Landing Page and a Second Brain

One of the key breakthroughs in my Supernote system was shifting to a top-down organization style. Instead of navigating left to right through layers of folders, I designed a structure that keeps my workspace streamlined and intuitive.

• Notes Folder:

I use the Notes folder as my launchpad, keeping only one note here: my landing page. This page acts as a central hub, linking to everything I need on my Supernote. It's like having a landing page for my digital life, saving me time and effort.

• Documents Folder:

In the Documents folder, I've created a series of well-organized folders that I think of as my second brain. Each folder represents a major area of focus, like work projects, personal development, or reference materials. This setup keeps everything logically separated and easy to access.

2. My Planner: A Digital Twist on Analog

MDO Planner

One of my favorite parts of planning on my Supernote is recreating the experience of my analog planner. I use an MDO planner, converted into a PDF, to mimic the layout and functionality of a Hobonichi planner while incorporating digital conveniences.

• Headers and Keywords for Efficiency:

Using headers and keywords within my planner allows me to navigate quickly and easily. Whether I'm referencing past entries or tracking specific themes, this structure makes it simple to find exactly what I need.

• The Best of Both Worlds:

This system gives me the best of analog and digital planning. I can enjoy the tactile satisfaction of writing by hand while using powerful tools like search and backups. It's an intentional and flexible way to plan, and it helps me stay on track throughout the year.

3. Essential Features

• Quick Access:

Quick Access

My Quick Access bar includes my meeting notes and daily capture notes, two core components of my workflow. I organize these into two six-month sections each year, which keeps file sizes manageable and ensures everything remains fast and easy to search.

• Intentional Favorites:

When I need to focus on specific tasks or projects, I rely on the Favorites feature. This forces me to be deliberate about what I prioritize. Rather than digging through folders, I can go straight to the most important notes or documents, making my workflow more intentional and efficient.

• Landing Page with Links

Landing Page

The landing page is my compass, helping me stay focused and saving me time when managing multiple projects at once.

Why This System Works

After five years of refining my process, this setup strikes the perfect balance between structure and flexibility. The top-down organization keeps me focused, the planner helps me stay intentional, and these Essential Features ensures I'm always ready to capture ideas or review important notes.

Final Thoughts

The Supernote has been an incredible tool for organizing and planning, and this system has become the best way for me to prepare for the new year. Whether you're a longtime user or just starting out, I encourage you to experiment and refine your own workflow. With a little intention and creativity, you can create a system that supports your goals and helps you stay organized all year long.

Here's to another great year of planning and creating!

Mastering Digital Organization

minimalist approach to note folders

the digital note dilemma

Digital notes are essential for capturing ideas, insights, and information. However, without a clear organizational structure, they can quickly spiral into chaos. Folders upon folders, subfolders, and nested hierarchies can lead to confusion and frustration, making it difficult to find what you need when you need it.

The Minimalist Approach

Embracing a minimalist approach to note folders involves simplifying your organizational structure to its essential components. Instead of creating numerous folders for every conceivable category, focus on creating a streamlined system that promotes clarity and efficiency. Here’s how to do it:

1. Streamline Categories: Instead of creating folders for every topic or subtopic, consolidate similar categories into broader themes. For example, instead of separate folders for “Work Projects,” “Personal Projects,” and “Hobbies,” consider creating a single “Projects” folder.

2. Limit Subfolders: Resist the temptation to create endless layers of subfolders. Instead, aim for a shallow hierarchy with only a few levels of nesting. This reduces complexity and makes it easier to navigate your notes.

3. Use Descriptive Naming: Opt for clear and concise folder names that accurately reflect the content they contain. Avoid ambiguous or generic names that could lead to confusion.

4. Archive Regularly: Regularly review and archive old or obsolete notes to keep your folder structure lean and clutter-free. This prevents unnecessary accumulation of digital debris and ensures that your system remains efficient over time.

Benefits of a Minimalist Approach

1. Improved Efficiency: A minimalist folder structure makes it easier to locate and retrieve notes quickly, saving you valuable time and effort.

2. Reduced Cognitive Load: By simplifying your organizational system, you reduce cognitive overload and decision fatigue, allowing you to focus on the task at hand without distraction.

3. Enhanced Clarity: A minimalist approach promotes clarity and comprehension, making it easier to understand the overarching structure of your notes and files.

4. Flexibility and Adaptability: With fewer folders to manage, your organizational system becomes more flexible and adaptable to changes and updates, ensuring that it remains relevant and effective over time.

Using a smaller notebook

Benefits of separaTing notebooks

Restructuring notebooks with links

I used to keep my work meetings and to do lists all in one running notebook. Now I’ve separated them into two notebooks and been using this method for two weeks. These are some of the benefits I’ve found:

*Multiple meetings per day*

1.Less page turning to see the to dos

2.Ability to see to do items on one page

3.Smaller files-my past notebook had somewhere over 200 pages

4.Ability to group and reflect on a weekly basis of tasks than being overwhelmed daily

5.Limit only one page per week for work tasks. I know that I can not take on any more before completing the tasks on the page

How has the linking feature changed your notebook structure?