Josh Spilker

90% of your notes have one thing in common…

They’ve been forgotten.

Taking notes is easy. Actually using them? That’s the real challenge.

There are only three things that matter when it comes to building a note-taking system that works: capture, organization, and review.

If you get those right, everything else falls into place.

There are hundreds if not thousands of ways to do those things, from the GTD method to whatever one you just found on YouTube.

In reality, no matter what suggestions I offer below, it’ll be dependent on you. You will ultimately settle on a hybrid method for building out your notes.

My main request to you? Keep it simple.

Here’s how.

1. Capture: Write it down or it’s gone

If you don’t capture your thoughts, they disappear. And honestly, it doesn’t matter how you do it.

Handwriting. Typing. Voice memos. It’s all the same.

The best way to capture is the way you’ll actually use. For me, I write stuff down on paper first, then drop it into a digital system later. You might prefer typing directly into an app.

Just make it quick.

Make it easy.

The aim isn’t for perfection.

Raw form is fine.

It’s about getting your ideas out of your head and into a place where you can find them again.

2. Organization: Find it when you need it

So now you’ve got a bunch of notes. The next step is making sure you can find them when you need them.

This is where people get overwhelmed, and it doesn’t need to be that hard.

Here’s a trick: Start simple. Use folders or tags. Maybe just keep things in order by date at first. Whatever feels natural.

I use Notion to keep my personal notes organized and Tettra for an internal knowledge base at work.

Don’t go crazy with it.

You don’t need some 15-layer tagging system or to color-code everything. The goal is to find what you need without wasting time.

I will say, the more you use it, the more complexity you may need.

Let’s crawl before we walk, ok?

3. Review: Your notes are useless if you don’t look at them again

Most people stop at capture and organization, but the real power comes from reviewing your notes.

If you don’t look at them again, they’re basically gone. Reviewing helps you remember and connect ideas. That’s the whole point, right?

A simple method: at the end of the week, go back through your notes. See what stands out.

Connect any dots.

You don’t need to spend hours — just a quick scan is enough.

Start Here: A 2-week test drive

Start with something you can manage. Here’s what you can try for the next two weeks:

Week 1: Keep It Basic

• Use a notebook or a notes app. Capture stuff. That’s it. Write everything down as it comes to you.

Week 2: Add a Little Structure

• Pick one way to organize your notes. Tags, folders, whatever. Also, add a weekly review session. See what notes stand out and what you can use.

At the end of week two, ask yourself:

• Did I capture what I needed?
• Was it easy to find?
• Did reviewing my notes help me understand or remember better?

Adjust as needed. But don’t overthink it.

Don’t Overcomplicate It

The key to note-taking is this: keep it simple.

Capture the info.

Organize it enough so you can find it.

And make sure you actually look at it again.

You don’t need an elaborate system. You just need something that works for you.

That’s it.