Note-taking as a Series of Questions

In my experience, note-taking is not a passive exercise which somehow magically gives me knowledge and understanding... Knowledge and understanding comes from the active engagement with whatever it is I’m taking notes on.

I find the best way to keep me in good habits is to frame note-taking as a series of questions. By answering them and acting accordingly, I know I’m engaging with my notes and I’ll get more out of the exercise.

For example, when I’m capturing things I ask

• Is this interesting or useful to me? Yes -> Save, No -> Leave it in Raindrop (this is my Resonance Filter in practice)

• Where do I want to see it again? -> Link to those places

When I’m reviewing my backlinks I ask

• Does this backlink actually relate to this note? (I haven’t always linked sensibly…!)

• Is there a better note to link to? A more specific one? I write more about this idea here.

• Do I want to read more about this? Yes -> Find books and add to Reading list

When I’m writing my notes I ask

• Are these my words?

• Do I have evidence for what I’m writing?

When I’m revisiting older notes I ask

• What do the newer backlinks teach me?

• Have my opinions evolved?

These questions shape what I capture, what I keep, what I revisit and precisely how I do all of this. The questions have evolved over years of note-taking with the aim of deep understanding, critical thinking and personal reflection.

I don’t just ask the questions once, I’m always asking and re-asking the same questions because I am constantly taking notes and learning more, so my reflections change often based on the new information.

That is precisely the point of note-taking for me: to engage with the world on my own terms, and have the artefacts to show how my thinking has evolved. I can’t wait to see how much more I learn and develop in my thinking, and these questions will help me do that.