How Daily Notes Became My Secret Weapon for Remote Work Success 📓✨

When I first embarked on the remote work journey about four and a half years ago, I never imagined that a simple habit would evolve into one of my most cherished tools. Initially, daily notes started as a way to keep myself accountable, but as the pandemic hit and remote work became the norm, this habit transformed into something much more profound. What began as a mechanism to ensure I wasn’t slacking off has now become a nerdy joy I look forward to every day. Let’s dive into how daily notes became a cornerstone of my work life and why they might just become yours too.

The Why Behind Daily Notes: Why Bother? 🤔

So, what’s the big deal with daily notes? Why should you care? Initially, I turned to note-taking as a means to quantify productivity. It’s no secret that working from home can blur the lines between work and personal life. Without the physical separation of an office, it’s easy to lose track of what you’re doing and how well you’re doing it.

Daily notes helped me combat this by allowing me to keep a running tally of my tasks and time spent. It was a way to validate my progress and reassure myself that I was adding value each day. It’s not just about checking off tasks but about gaining clarity on what I did, how I did it, and why it mattered.

Not only did this practice become a logbook for my decisions and tasks, but it also served as a handy tool for drafting emails or Slack messages. No more accidental sends or awkward typos! And when it comes to meetings, having a place to prepare my talking points and thoughts is a game-changer.

My Evolution of Tools: From Evernote to Obsidian 🛠️

When I started with daily notes, Evernote was my go-to tool. It was user-friendly and did the job, but as my needs evolved, so did my tools. I soon ventured into the world of Markdown with the Vim Wiki plugin. This setup was more code-centric and offered greater flexibility, which was exciting but also a bit overwhelming at times.

Then came Emacs with its org-mode feature, which was like stepping into a whole new universe of note-taking. It was powerful and comprehensive, but after a while, I found myself craving something with a more intuitive user experience.

That’s when I discovered Obsidian. This markdown-based note editor struck the perfect balance between functionality and simplicity. It’s customizable, supports plugins, and lets me link notes together, creating a web of interconnected ideas. The “Temporal Notes” community plugin, in particular, has been invaluable in keeping my notes organized and accessible. It’s like having a personal assistant who never forgets anything.

Anatomy of a Daily Note: What’s Inside? 📝

So, what does a typical daily note look like? Here’s a peek into my current setup:

Markdown

# 2024-08-01

## 🤹 Tasks
- [ ] Meeting w/ Manager @ 1300
- [ ] Blog Post due @ Midnight

## 🌲 Log
- 0700 - Starting work on TIX-1234
- 0800 - Started Code Review of TIX-2345, TIX-4567
- 1100 - Daily Stand-up 
- 1125 - Continue work on TIX-1234

## 🏁 Stand-Ups

YESTERDAY - 
- Completed work on TIX-7777, TIX-3434
- Reviewed PR for TIX-2323

TODAY -
- Will Continue work on TIX-1234

## 📓 Journal

#### Slack Message to John S.

Hi John - Wanted to ask you about XYZ-1234? Should we prioritize this work? ...

#### Email to Jane D.

Hi Jane, 

Hope you had a good holiday. Would next Wednesday be good for our meeting? ...

#### TIX-1234

Possible causes:
    - could be related to the bug ticket TIX-2222

Testing Steps:
1. Log in to the app.
2. Cause the app to crash.
3. ...

## 🍲 Takeaways

- Remember to schedule Eye appointment
- Block off time daily for Code Review.

Here’s a breakdown of each section:

• Tasks: This is where I list any meetings, appointments, or hard deadlines for the day. It’s a way to ensure I don’t miss anything important.

• Log: I keep a detailed log of my time throughout the day. This helps me track what I’ve worked on and how my day has unfolded.

• Stand-Ups: This section is dedicated to updates from my daily stand-up meetings. I can see what I accomplished yesterday and what I plan to tackle today.

• Journal: Here, I draft communications such as Slack messages or emails. This helps me refine my messages before sending them and ensures I don’t overlook any details.

• TIX-1234: If I’m working on a specific ticket or project, I’ll use this section to jot down potential causes, testing steps, and other relevant information.

• Takeaways: This is where I put reminders or insights I want to remember from the day. It might be a personal note or a professional reminder.

Each day, I start a new note using this template and review the previous day’s entry. I manually copy over any relevant information, which might not be the most efficient method, but it helps reinforce what needs to be done. It’s a small ritual that keeps me connected to my tasks and priorities.

Tools of Reflection: From Accountability to Insight 💭

Looking back at my note-taking journey, it’s incredible to see how a simple accountability tool has become a fundamental part of my work philosophy. What started as a way to keep myself on track has evolved into a practice that enhances my thought process, communication, and planning.

Obsidian has made this process even more enjoyable by offering a user-friendly interface and powerful features that align with my needs. Each daily entry feels less like a chore and more like an experience, adding value to my workday and helping me stay organized.

So, if you’re considering incorporating daily notes into your routine, give it a try! It might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on your productivity and overall work experience. And who knows? You might find yourself getting a bit nerdy joy out of looking back on your daily entries, just like I do.