Why pen and paper are the best productivity tools

In many ways, I’m a denizen of this age.

I scoff when others lament the demise of paper and print.

It’s all very well to talk about the smell and feel of new books when you only buy two a year.

I buy several books a month, and in the good old days before handheld readers, would give away dozens of books to friends every six months or so, lest the house get overrun!

I still buy paper books once in a while. I like the smell and feel of some books—especially books with a lot of art in them. I love getting books to review.

That said, you’ll have to pry my Kindle out of my cold, dead hands.

Notebook love

One way in which I’m old fashioned is using paper to make notes. I have a lot of notebooks for a variety of uses, including:

1. One memo pad for daily to-do lists, and to write short notes to myself and my team. It’s only a few inches long; I’ll write a few lines and throw away the page when I’m done.

2. One small notebook to write down what I’ve been working on.

3. Another small notebook for household lists.

4. Another little notebook to carry in my handbag in case I want to write something down during a coffee date.