Your brain capacity being at 128GB is probably being generous. Some days I feel like I’m working with 8MB. If we think of our brains as having a cap then it makes sense to treat it as such and utilize a system to remember things.
We are taught this to an extent while going through school. It’s why we take notes and why before a test it is best to refresh your memory and cram as much information as possible. That information doesn’t stay with you forever though. Somewhere along the way I forgot what the ‘TAN’ button on my graphic calculator does.
Now let’s fast forward into adulthood and suddenly your life doesn’t have a curriculum. Does that mean I should remember everything? or nothing? I’m not the type of person to be good at trivia so for me, it’s the latter. I do happen to remember things that are interesting to me. That can land somewhere between how to properly do a French seam or the specifics of the 1031 tax code. Either way it’s usually something relating to my career or hobby.
So why does this matter? See I thought I could remember everything like a genius. Like how I did during school time so easily. In my old age (really anytime past 25) I started to find myself blanking on words or ideas I had just the day before. Sometimes I wonder if I had my vitamins the day before or what my workout was the last time I went.
This bring me to the solution. Or solutions. It really depends on you.
Systems!
Just like in school. Make a system for yourself. Back then it was binders with dividers. Now it can be a planner, a digital notebook, or even excel. A system is a system if it works for you. What might not work for me may work for you. Let’s see some of the systems I’ve done in the past that worked for awhile but didn’t end up lasting.
System 1: Weekly Journal
Good ol’ paper and pencil. This was similar to what people call bullet journaling now but I had used a pre-made weekly template and went from there. This also had room in the front or back of each journal for items I wanted to keep long term like dates, budgets, and habit trackers. This system worked for me for years… yes years. Really a decade.
My problem with it was the paper use. I lugged it around with me everywhere and would need to shred old journals as I wrote sensitive info on there. I found keeping old ones were bothersome for my closet and I’d never use it again anyways so it was clutter.
System 2: Digital Planner
A mix between paper and automation. This made it easier to bring around and have important information on my tablet and phone. I used Notes on the samsung but also tried out GoodNotes for this. It worked wonderfully but I found myself impatient to wait for the app to open. Loved the versatility and creativity I could have with the app. I paired this with a to-do list app sometimes when things got hectic in life.
System 3: Notion
I’m currently using Notion to organize my thoughts and to-do list. I found out that I like thinking in databases so this system has been working really well for me. If I have an idea it goes into a specific database with tags so I can refer back to it when I need it. I have a few projects in mind that are now broken down by tasks, ideas, vision, and budget.
If you want to see my Notion set-up and some tips and tricks, let me know! It’s an evolving system that works for me. But like any good system, it can be better which is why I love seeing other people’s projects in Notion for ideas.
Even if we have a limit on our brains, don’t let it hold you back. Take the info you need for that day, that project, and keep on living.
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