“No great thing is created suddenly.”

Taking notes is often an effective way to ensure your daily work gets completed. When I am taking notes I use the technique found here. The main elements mentioned in the article that I routinely use are these:

Use symbols so you can quickly scan your notes later. I indent my notes from the left edge of the paper about half an inch. This allows me to put my symbols in the left margin. I use four:

1. If an item is particularly important or insightful, I put a star next to it.
2. If an item requires further research or resolution, I put a question mark next to it.
3. If an item requires follow-up, I put a ballot box (open square) next to it. When the item is completed, I check it off.
4. If I have assigned a follow-up item to someone, I put an open circle next to it (similar to the ballot box but a circle rather than a square). In the notes, I indicate who is responsible. When the item is completed, I check it off.

These four allow me to quickly scan my notes and find where I still need to take action.