How effective are you at remembering things people tell you? If you’re like me, some things slip through the cracks. When I first started using Notion, I would add important things people shared with me to my Daily Log. That didn’t give me an easy way to look back on interactions with people to refresh my memory.
That led me to create my Interactions Calendar, where I log meeting notes with clients, important happenings in people’s lives close to me, and even things my wife and I talk about on date nights. I want to be the kind of person who remembers what people share with me, which takes intention. I tried doing this in journals, but you can’t search a journal as easily as you can Notion.
Check out my latest video where I break down how I use my Interactions Calendar. Also included in the video is a link to the template for my Interactions Calendar. I hope it helps you keep your interactions organized.
If your year has gone like mine, it started out pretty fantastic with an almost unlimited amount of motivation. It’s a new decade and a perfect time to hit the ground running. Now that we are well into the year, some of that excitement has worn off and I have recently found myself in a bit of a slump.
If you have been following me online for the last several months, you have seen me talk a lot about how I am using Notion to organize and structure my life. I have built tools within Notion that have helped me keep productive and on task. Less has slipped through the cracks and it has been easier for me to achieve my goals.
After hurting my back last month, I got in a slump and my routine suffered. After my back was better, it was still hard to get back into a routine, but this time I have something I haven’t had in the past. Data!
I have been using Notion for my Daily Log for quite a while now and due to the way I have it set up, I can see trends in my life. Looking at these trends makes it easier for me to stay in touch with myself and be more self-aware. This has helped me so much.
In the past, I would journal or Daily Log in Evernote, but there was no easy way for me to visualize how things had been going for me. If I had been frustrated multiple times in a week over something, I didn’t have a way to visualize that. The frustration had to reach a boiling point before I could really notice it had become a problem.
So even though I have not used Notion as much as I would have liked to and some of what I built in Notion got a bit stale, my Daily Log really helped me recognize what was going on and that knowledge allowed me to course-correct much sooner. For that, I am thankful.
Check out my recent video on how I was in a Notion Slump and actually used Notion to get out of it. Pretty meta, I know.
Much is going on in our world right now. I hope that you are able to use it to think and grow. Though we are all experiencing major setbacks, my prayer is that we come out of this stronger and more resilient than before.
Hey friends, It’s been a busy week. I sent out my first Weekly Newsletter last week to over 21,000 people and only 1.9% dropped off. Thank you so much for sticking around to see what this thing becomes. I have some interesting stuff for you this week that I think you’re going to like including a podcast episode on a pretty big idea, some interesting thoughts from what I read this last week, and challenge at the end. Let’s Go!
Starting Is The Key
I have been tracking various aspects of my day for over a year now which includes tracking status on projects. Looking at the accumulation of data I realized that I start too many things and don’t finish them. A great realization to have after just having started yet another thing. 🤪🤪
My Daily Log Template in Notion
The main takeaway for me was realizing that starting something new is better than not having started at all. How many times have you told yourself “no” before giving an idea or a new project a chance? We are masters of coming up with excuses. It’s time you start on that thing you have been thinking about for so long. You don’t want to miss this talk, one of the keys to starting something is to “Get Chunky!” You’re going to have to watch the video or listen to the podcast even if it’s just to hear me say chunky multiple times, and yes, there is a vomit reference 🤣🤣 It’s basically a free short course I designed to help you develop a framework for becoming someone who isn’t afraid to start new things.
My Daily Log has been monumental in me becoming more self-aware. I not only log what I intend to do but I log what I get done as well. I also check in multiple times each day to note how I am feeling. If something happens or I come across some inspiration, it goes in the log. I recently started tracking my caffeine intake as well because I might have a problem there 🤫🤫
Want my Daily Log Template? Reply to this email and ask, I will send it to you directly. You can use it in your favorite note-taking apps such as Evernote or the notes app that came on your phone. I will be making a video on the topic of my Daily Logging practices. As part of my inner circle, you will be the first to know when that is ready 🙌🙌
Could you do me a small favor?
Did that get your attention? I bet it did because you are the kind of person who is eager to help a friend out. As I continue to improve my writing I have found the use of trigger words and phrases to be very interesting. It’s fascinating to me that we can simply say something a certain way and have someone’s attention whereas if we say it a slightly different way, it pushes them away. We all do this in our own subtle ways. I just finished reading, “Exactly What to Say: The Magic Words for Influence and Impact” by Phil M. Jones. It’s a shorter read, check it out.
“There are two types of people in this world: those who resist change in favor of nostalgia and those who move with the times and create a better future.” ― Phil M Jones
While we are on the subject of favors, I am not sure it’s for you, but I would appreciate you checking out my podcast and let me know what you think about it. Click Here to check it out.
This Week on the Podcast
I put out two audio podcast episodes this past week. The first titled “The Value of Challenging Yourself,” discusses how important it is for us to challenge ourselves even if we have other challenges we are facing in our lives.
The second is on the topic I mentioned above titled “Starting Is The Key.”
I bet you’re like me and need some motivation today, click here to check out the latest episode of the podcast or watch it on YouTube.
This Week’s Tech Video
AirPods 2 vs AirPods Pro – Which One to Buy?
This Week’s Photography Video
50mm f/1.4 Sony E-Mount for Under $100? Brightin Star E-Mount Lens Review
Do you like Photography?
I coordinate a photography Facebook Group and we started a monthly photo challenge. This month there is a give-a-way. The group has over 4,000 photographers in it ranging from beginner to advanced. I would love for you to join us. Join the Ditch Auto Facebook Group.
Let’s Go!
What’s something you have always wanted to start? After you finish reading this email, hit reply and share it with me.
Thanks for sticking with me, it means the world. Over 50 people replied to me last week and shared some things they are thankful for. It was the highlight of my week!
