Get Organized with Windows Journal

Develop a legend for your pens: different colors have different meaning. For example, black is for note taking, red is for action items for you, green is action items you need to delegate, purple is for personal issues, such as career development. You can create a similar color scheme with highlighters.

Use color coding for note titles, too. You can extend your pen color scheme to your note titles, making it easier to scan your list of notes. For example, note titles pertaining to one of your customers could all be in blue.

Give notes that have similar content a similar note title so that they will be grouped together in the notes list. For example, name your to do lists:

This way, notes with similar content will appear next to each other in the note list, yet still allow you to quickly differentiate between the files.

Use flags just like you would use post-it flags: to highlight important items that you will want to return to.

Use Journal's search capabilities to make information from your notes easy to find. To retrieve important information, let the computer scan your handwritten notes for words. You can also search for flags, or base your search on the date created or date modified. Journal eliminates the tedious task of searching through a stack of papers on your desktop for that bit of information you need to find.

Develop templates or use existing templates to match the type of notes you are taking. For example, when you draw diagrams or sketches, use the grid or blank template. When you are writing meeting notes, use stationery with a standard-ruled line style. Want to compose some music? Use the music template. If you don't find a template that suits your needs, you can easily create one yourself.