This is your sign to start taking proper notes. While keywords and abbreviations can save time, they often result in an unintelligible mess later on. I often take notes right before I go to bed because, for some reason, that is the perfect time for my brain to start producing great ideas and things to worry about the next day.

Jotting down those ideas helps me sleep more peacefully. However, a problematic pattern started occurring recently. While I’m in my drowsy state, my brain starts taking more shortcuts than usual to end the suffering of staring at the phone screen. The next day, I’m then tasked with deciphering whatever cryptic messages I wrote down the previous night.

Today’s example

Header: Do now to not regret later

Body: via interview

I thought about it for about 5 minutes, and I honestly can’t recall what I meant by that.

My advice

1. Be consise: Write complete and clear sentences.
2. Don’t use keywords: Unless you are sure you will remember their meaning.
3. Revise: Make sure you will 100% understand your scribbles later on.