Two practical things I have learned

[parallel_phd]

A very very helpful thing I have recently learned is this: always carry a notebook.
I used to carry an A4 pad around with me for seminars and things, and make notes on that. That's good for filing, but I can get intimidated by all the loose bits of paper, and the actual thinky-notes I make about what you're doing are a bit transient. And it's a

Comments

[bluedevi]

Totally with you on the notebook - but also on the "done" list thing. Every so often I get overwhelmed by all the little bits I have to do and hold in my head at once, and the only remedy is to make a list, but I usually start by listing all the stuff I've done so far that day and crossing it off, to make myself feel more in control right from the get-go.

[syllopsium]

What you need, if you don't have one already, is a Red N' Black notebook. Mmmm sexy stationery..

[some_fox]

All I have to say to you is:

www.moleskines.com

Red n black. I ask you! I have serious stationary porn snobbery ;-)

[syllopsium]

Hmm.. Which holds up better to rough handling though?

I shall go and note it down... on my magnetic whiteboard ;)

[parallel_phd]

I must say....Red n Black, nooo!

Just wait til you see my sexy corduroy-covered, elastic-banded, silk bookmarked, thick-papered notebook of joy! Let alone the one I've got lined up next, bound in soft blue suede......*strokes stationery lovingly*

[some_fox]

I keep an A5 journal at all times and have them going back the last 5 years now. I keep personal diary bits, academic thoughts, notes from conferences and all sorts in them. I recommend the Moleskein notebooks particular for this purpose (if you have a stationary porn horn like mine that is)

I love your done not do lists - I must get into that. So much more self-celebrating.

[parallel_phd]

O yes with the stationery porn horn!

Yup, I was inspired by your use of notebooks- I really like how mine's turned into a journal, too- it's already full of fliers, stickers, doodles, records of dreams... *pats it lovingly*

[some_fox]

Yeah. I can't remember who first suggested it to me but I find the flexible journal (which can include diary bits, work reflections, conference notes, doodles, etc. etc.) much better than any kind of strict diary (with requirement for daily writing) or purely academic thing.

(my current one has a suede effect cover so is even strokey :-)

[memevector]

yay done lists!

what a wise thing by you.

I have had similar thoughts sometimes - good to be reminded.

[sahilaelf]

Post BiCon post saying hi :)
Stationery my A5 lime green hard back notebook, was not used until I had the write thing to say in it ! In this case a Taking The Big Leap diary from Suzi Greaves book of the same name...

With associated scribbles and HUGE letters on occassion...