Since I began a gradual transition to a more entrepreneurial lifestyle, organizing information and idea flow daunts me in its complexity. Ideas, tasks, research finds its way into my notebook at a pace more rapid than I find sustainable. I devised (largely stole) a set of ideographic symbols to serve as visual category prefixes for my notes. I more vigilantly organize the set of digital files in which I maintain ultimate records of ideas/information/tasks that I find even remotely palatable. I barely keep up with digitizing the notebook contents.
Why do I bother with a paper notebook when the digital archives are more organized, and, most importantly, indexable and searchable? Mostly aesthetics but also inspiration. I’m more creative with a written word, and prefer to postpone interaction with a computer screen. The notebook serves as my cache. Plus I value the freedom of quickly documenting my thoughts at any moment. I wonder if I could asymptotically quantify the notebook digitization life cycle in contrast to some alternatives?
Even my digitized content is growing in complexity and dimensions. I need to constantly reevaluate my workflow for any overconfidence or misguidance in my methods.
I’m aware of the extent of physical inactivity involved with my lifestyle and make active effort to abstract feasible tasks from the computer screen or even the desk. The prospect is challenging when I’m naturally inclined to absorb, document, and experiment with new information for a large part of the day.
To compensate for the more demanding concentrated effort, I incorporated much rigor to physical health. This implies daily walks, stretching and exercise routine, rather than the more traditional nonchalant approach to exercise. Nutrition-wise, I eliminated virtually all processed foods or sugars, with focus largely on raw vegetables, although I was previously not far off. I reduced the daily coffee consumption to 75-150mg of caffeine without additives, a half to a third of the previous amount. I believe to have largely eliminated my prior psychological attachment to caffeine. Mornings begin from 5:45 - 6:45 AM. Days end 7.5-8 hours before that time frame. At some point, I’ll need to reevaluate my social life.
Physically, in the absence of back pain (by far not consistent), I feel simply fantastic. Daily exercise helps extremely. I’m able to focus and harness at least some creativity at any time of day. I gradually eliminated anything I consider noncontributing to my aspirations. News and fine-interval noise was already not an issue. In addition, I eliminated films entirely from the routine, although an exception might occur once in a rare occasion.
I read daily. The difference between now and the recent past lies in the greater portion of non-fiction related material. This hasn’t been difficult as non-fiction literature too contains absolutely captivating material, although less elegantly written. Writing is the one habit I still struggle to cultivate on a daily basis. It’s vital to my progress.
As I’m finishing this entry in my paper notebook at a cafe next to my building, sipping my 30ml espresso in microscopic intervals, I acknowledge the nuisance of later digitizing this content. But I adore the creative sensation provoked by the paper notebook interaction. And I fail to accept long and unnecessary intimate sessions in front of the monitor. I see no paradox. But I could be delusional.
Questions, comments? Connect.