Build A Second Brain with Commonplace Notebooks: A Complete Guide

[@heike.1504]

Lovely video - thank you, Brittany ! I started a CPB a few years ago but went all over the place with it 😅. I am about to set up a new one. A5 though. If I come across something en route, I will scribble it into my EDC and then transfer it into the CPB…

[@PlanYourOneLife]

You’re welcome! That sounds great! It’ll be nice to have a place to refer back to when you want to, later on.

[@donnadixon8065]

What's EDC?

[@PlanYourOneLife]

@@donnadixon8065 Everyday carry

[@kan-zee]

it is when people carry personal items that can help them in daily activities and in case of emergency. EDC stands for : *E* very *D* ay *C* arry _Example of my EDC is:_ 🔴A cell phone 🔴Money , charge cards and I.d. 🔴Keys 🔴Mini key chain Flashlight (olight i3e EOS) 🔴Pocket folding knife (Swiss army ) 🔴Pocket Notebook with a writing instrument (s) 🔴Mini Boo-boo kit (first aid kit with bandaids/ cleaning pads etc) 🔴Covid Mask

[@miotagbheag6880]

Creating my (1st) common place journal today - I’ve kept similar things in the past but never organized. I’m separating out sections of 30 pages, breaking it up as book quotes, Gàidhlig quotes (I’m learning another language), new vocab (English), flora/fauna facts, and I still need to decide on the last section lol. I used washi tape to help identify the change in section and created an index / numbered the pages. Your video really helped make it more clear to me! And I definitely plan on getting those mini circle stickers for subcategories.. especially for the book quotes (ex. Fiction, non-fiction, or maybe moods?)

[@colleenrutledge-i4j]

Oh my goodness. Your commonplace notebook is gorgeous! I've kept one since I was in junior high school and I'm now in my 70s. I love looking back but your video showed me how to better organize it now! Thank you SO much.

[@ImaginaryTerrie3]

I did something similar when I was communications in the army but I called it my Cheat Sheet. I wrote down every technical problem I came across and later the solution to it even if it was just resetting a computer.

[@puzzywoo]

May I make a suggestion? If you moved the margin to the outside of each page, it would make it much easier to see your colour coding when you flip through the pages. At the moment, you have to open each page fully to see the colours on the right-hand page.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

For me it’s very easy to see, since there’s about 4-6 columns of space. I also prefer my topic to be on the left side of the page because I’m right handed. I appreciate your suggestion though.❤️

[@Tria0526]

Great suggestion @puzzywoo. I’m going to try this!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

@@Tria0526 I wouldn’t prefer it. But, I’m glad that it might work for you!😊

[@tiff653]

Such a good idea! Thank you for suggesting this, I plan to follow this suggestion.

[@ashleyhunter9140]

This is an interesting idea, however, you would always be writing next to the fold of the page. I find writing there to be particularly annoying, so having the margin on the right helps to keep the writing away from the fold.

[@shansbo217]

This is thee most helpful explanation of creating and organizing a CPN.❤❤❤ Thank you for sharing. I'm glad it showed up in my feed.

[@annahcreates]

I never knew this was a thing, but i used this same method all through college to take notes for my classes, quotes i liked, shopping lists, books to read, etc. I had a color code and everything. So happy other people do this too. I loved it!

[@kats3351]

i’m neurodivergent and i feel like this would be a fab way for me to keep track of my fav quotes from reading and facts from my hyper fixations as well as stuff for my masters degree! thank you for this i already bujo but i think i’ll be adding one of these to my collection too 💜

[@k.b.tidwell]

Your notebooks are functionally and mesmerizingly beautiful.

[@darkkstar5647]

My god you're handwriting is so beautiful and consistent -- it almost looks like a digitized font.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Practice makes it better. You can do it too! ❤️

[@poisondartfroggify]

Thank you! Yours is the most clear and helpful video I’ve ever seen on starting and keeping a commonplace book. Many of the ones I’ve seen had a good tip here and there, but you’re able to bring it all together in a way that resonates with my brain. I especially like your walkthrough of how you began (before the page division and before color-coding) so we could see clearly how helpful those methods are. Thanks again!!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Aww, you’re very welcome! I’m glad that I could help you. 😃

[@helencooper286]

The Commonplace book really has a fascinating history the origins of which stem from much earlier than Medieval times. One of my pet subjects :)

[@jaysauer834]

I've kept a CPB for about 2 years now and I have different sections of my book dedicated to different things so I can keep like thoughts together. You seem to have a running key to the side of your entries to log the subject and source which I think is really smart! I think it's more efficient since sometimes I skip writing in my journal because I would have to find the right page to log something, but my method means I can find like information more quickly. I hadn't kept an index so I'll have to add one and see if it helps!

[@thishyna]

I've watched many commonplace book videos but yours is my fav. Yours is simple, functional, and still beautiful. Thanks for the tips. :)

[@Terry_1111]

New subscriber here! I've watched many videos on this subject but yours is the best I've found! I've wanted to create a Comonplace Notebook for a while but wasn't sure how to start or how to keep from messing it up after I've started! Your explanation and sleek/clean format is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you! I look forward to watching more of your videos! Blessings to you!

[@ReadingDave]

I often chase myself trying to remember the things I want to remember and improve on before I discover something new. Your opening was the encouragement I needed to work on a commonplace notebook tonight.

[@bondee5865]

Your type of notebook helped me a lot; my notes are written down throughout my papers, this would help me keep notes much better. Great idea for the pen doubling as the closure too✍🏼

[@kentjensen4504]

I searched for 'commonplace book' and came across this wonderfully erudite video. You, dear lady, are part of the classical continuum.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Aww, thank you for the compliment!

[@kentjensen4504]

@@PlanYourOneLife Awarding praise to the deserving is a pleasure. I just scrolled through your list of videos. Wow, you're a productive person! I'll definitely be watching a bunch of them. I love software, but I increasingly feel there is something magical about doing things by hand. Writing goes so far back with humanity there are few things older. Spoken language. Managing fire. Creating tools from rock and wood. Befriending hounds. Cultivating edible plants. If you were to write a book on the topics you cover here I am sure it would be a success. Best regards from Norway.

[@SusanElizabethJonesArt]

Just found your channel and have already learned so much. I'm a commonplacer from way back. But adding columns and color coding is a game changer. Thank you!

[@alptraum7644]

looking into making myself a more organized commonplace book than the ones i've got now. i started taking a notebook into work every day to keep track of my thoughts, feelings, etc. throughout the day. it's been so helpful that i've been thinking of just keeping up the practice even when i leave the job! this is a v thorough video on commonplace books, and i'll definitely be taking notes : ) thank you!

[@craigmarley5926]

I'm impressed with your organizational thinking and the neatness of your penmanship. Your notebook just looks so clean and nice. Very inspiring. Thanks for being a great example of how to do it.

[@LuckyBeechdub969]

I've done this my entire life and I never knew it had a name! Great information- Thank you so much!❤

[@PlanYourOneLife]

🙌😃

[@stacytacycy]

I watched a couple of dozens of videos on commonplacing, but this one is the most useful. Thank you for sharing your layouts.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@tambikhai3601]

Lovely video and great suggestions! Thanks. I'd like to recommend adding dates for your entries. So many times, I'd really love to have a timeframe for when I found the ideas, so adding the date helps keep track of when in my life certain quotes, etc. were notable.

[@ml10102]

WOW!! I had no idea and never even asked myself the question before, “what is common placing?” Enjoyed this video so very much! The term common place notebook is so loosely used in the planner community. I just never knew the history of it all. Thank you for sharing all this info! ❤

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BudgetingTheBacon]

Wow, love the educating in this video as well as showing how you use yours and the tutorial of how to do it. These were great tips, Britt!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Thank you!

[@loristokeswright6908]

I liked it too!

[@BudgetingTheBacon]

@@loristokeswright6908 she did a great job with this video, per usual ☺️

[@carrieannkouri2151]

This is the best video on using notebooks. Thank you!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Thank you!

[@montikarla]

This is the clearest video on commonplace notesbooks i have seen! Thank you!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

You’re welcome! ❤️

[@larryglatt2548]

I love what you are teaching & it has given me some great ideas, and from some of the comments as well. One problem for me from you younger YT presenters is that you speak a little too fast for my old ears to hear & absorb. Thank you

[@KaysBudgetandPlans]

I've started doing something like this for therapy. First I was writing down my thoughts to share with my provider, but then she would ask why or what prompted the thought and I wouldn't remember exactly. Now I write down the "inspiration" or trigger just like how you keep track of where your quotes and things came from. This seems to help me get a more meaningful reflection later on. Your format reminds me of Cornell notes, which seems like the simplest way to visually organize ideas like this. This was a nice video, really inspiring but chill. Thank you!

[@holzfallen]

Your notebook is so elegantly laid out.

[@Bringing_mae_flowers]

You have no idea how happy I am to hear someone say "Florilegium/Florilegia". I named one of my perfumes Florilegium, and I'm constantly having to explain what it means.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

❤️☺️

[@Tria0526]

Great video. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to efficiently setup and keep a commonplace notebook. This video is exactly what I needed and I’ll be incorporating some of your practices for sure. Thank you!

[@kanamott6113]

Same! Thank you for sharing!

[@kan-zee]

5:24 .... Brilliant with the color coding system....love how your brain works.. 📖 ☑✍🏼🖋😎👍 9:49 ... OUCHY 🤯...you Gonna *toss away your Pocket notebook* ??!! NOoooo 😱😱

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Lol

[@houseofqween]

I love this so much. I would say you can have multiple sizes. I have a very large one for study purposes and a pocket one that travels & I come back and write in my study cpb!!!

[@WarmlyDawn]

This is exactly what I was looking for! I was looking for a beautiful method with which to write my positive quotes, book summaries, and thoughts. It is perfect. Thank you for sharing. 💖

[@pauljroane2072]

I love your break down and your hand writing , I have just started this process

[@RaeHadzega]

I use Google Keep in exactly this way. So if anyone is wondering about a digital format that would be perfect for this project, I'd recommend that. Also this is a perfect description of what a book of shadows or grimoire would be in witchcraft; just more topical.

[@sherrygraham8650]

This was the best explanation and example of common place I have seen. I’m excited to try it again now with better direction, plus you can never go wrong with color coding.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

😊❤️ Thank you!

[@nicolasguedert]

Muito bom! Estava procurando várias referências e estas foram incríveis! Belo vídeo e ótimo canal!

[@BudgetsWithBess]

Having an index sounds like such a smart idea and I never thought it. 💕

[@AnglicanLady]

My commonplace is like yours but without the color coding and I use John Locke’s index method. love your Hobonichi fleet!

[@tonyclusters6692]

Wow! Amazing! I currently use 4 planners, 2 travelers and 2 Ring Filofax!

[@passiveincomewithstaciek]

Thank you for such a great explanation and how to start my notebook and what to keep in it. I've wanted to start something like this, but wasn't sure how to do it. Now I have ideas!!!

[@jamsonmsuzi9645]

i like your format very easy for referencing

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Glad that you do! Thank you!

[@loristokeswright6908]

I like your system, I'll be trying some of this. Currently I have devolved to post it notes and scribbles in my book. I was thrilled your feed came up, thanks for a great refresher.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

You’re welcome!

[@AndreaPerres]

O F that is such a great idea for when your wanting to skim threw the passages to find one . I love 💕 that . I have been slowing making mine

[@Mahogany4800]

Thanks!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

I appreciate the Super Thanks!😃

[@ilianakanchovska6508]

I love this video, it is full with tips and ideas! Thank you!

[@des8616]

I LOVE your leather covers! Where do you find those, please?

[@thehomeexecutive]

Very helpful. I have been wanting to do this for some time. In a way, I already do it, just not in such an organized way. Thank you!

[@cdw629]

Thank you for sharing your notebook! It looks so nice.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

You are so welcome!

[@mikeearls126]

that is some crazy neat handwriting

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Thank you!

[@rinananah]

this is the most useful video about common place notebook I've ever seen. And it's also so pleasant to watch to. I've learned about CN just one of these days, and I got really surprised because I've been doing something very similar to it in past few years. But this methot is way more organizes than what i've been doing, so I'm fascinated and decided to start a commonplace notebook myself. I really liked how you build yours, it inspired me, so thanks for sharing!

[@ashleyhunter9140]

Thank you so much! This video was so helpful, and informational. I didn’t know the history of the notebooks! Great video!

[@dwayladallas3375]

Thank you for the history!

[@MamaGraciePlans]

I’m happy that this week I’ll be moving my rings system to my common place. I’ll use a 365 stalogy from July-December until my sterling ink full year preorder arrives for 2024. Thanks for the helpful video. 😊

[@tanyaatmomssmallvictories9687]

I love the way you set yours up with a margin and small notebook! I have my second brain in Notion but I just don’t enjoy the app on my phone as much as on desktop. And I’m a sucker for paper and notebooks. It’s a great idea to use a small notebook for this. I have an a6 wonderland that would be perfect for a commonplace book. Have you read Building a Second Brain? I love that book and would treat my commonplace book as somewhere for my “12 favorite problems”

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Yes, I’ve read it. That why I refer to my Commonplace my as my second brain. ☺️ I’ve tweaked my CP NB to what’s important to me though.

[@WesTheMarketer]

I was wondering how this could fit with Building a Second Brain. Really like the idea of using it for the 12 interesting problems.

[@TheFunctionalForce]

What lovely books u have! 😮 Where did u get the slim notepad in your second cover from? I see the Hobonichi only come with diary but I’d like a plain one just to write 😊

[@PlanYourOneLife]

The red one is from Chily Leather on Etsy and the tan one is from Eternal Leather Goods.

[@TheFunctionalForce]

@@PlanYourOneLife Ohh thank you for your reply! :D Although I meant the inserts, the actual note pads (not the leather covers). I notice the first one is a Hobonichi weeks but the second one is just a plain notebook in the same size as the weeks, and that's what I'm looking for (I want all plain pages, not diary) :D THANK UUU

[@you_are_welcome97]

Literally the best video on this type of system and I have watched a couple of videos, Thanks :)

[@BudgetingTheBacon]

Yes to the viral video, sis!!👏🏾. Well deserved!!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Thank you

[@nickkyvictory948]

I’m glad you did this for us ❤

[@ForeverWhereAfter]

I really enjoyed this video and I like your system with the margin division and color coding. I’ve used what I call a “Pocket Journal” for something like 10 years now, or longer. It’s a small 3x5 size notebook that many publishers make. Basically, it fits in my pocket, allows me to jot down whatever I need to, allows me to refer back to previous notes, gives me a handy shopping list, and is useful in a lot of ways. It’s generally easier to write something down with pen and paper than trying to use my cell phone. I was basically doing bullet journaling before that term existed and I kick myself for not seeing that I could “monetize” that. 😢 I also use larger size notebooks when at my desk. Thanks for a good video.

[@connieanderson6339]

Lots of great information! Thank you.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

You’re welcome!

[@rhedonlyrhed9155]

I do this on obsidian coz the wikilinks and templates helped a ton. BUT, it decreased my mindfulness with what notes i put. And this video is helping me ground myself with analog and more in touch common place system. Thank you for the tips!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

You’re welcome. I’ve tried to use apps like Notion, but just like you I’m not as mindful of what I add to it. I also tend not to go back and review what I’ve added to it as often as I do with my paper notebook.

[@spoopema]

This is brilliant! Thank you!

[@paullanglois3768]

Absolutely beautiful. So beautiful that this inspired me to throw my own journal into the wood chipper. 😂 but seriously, wow - such great ideas to use. Thank you for this!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

😆 You're welcome!

[@rainierodlsc]

Your method is excellent! Thank you for sharing. I have been keeping CPBs for about 4-5 years, but they resemble a carpet bombing campaign. I will gather all of them and will start numbering pages and creating indices. You have provided the motivation. You are absolutely organized and well read. Regards from Puerto Rico.

[@gabrielrumbaut9856]

This was so helpful! Thank you!

[@suulix4065]

New viewer here! I cannot express enough how valuable I found the etymological roots, and I really appreciate your attention to detail! 😁✌️thanks so much for the video

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Wow, thank you!

[@Marion1457L]

I agree. Etymological roots explain a lot.

[@ThatBronxGuhrl]

PERFECTION

[@jontimmy]

Thanks a lot for the commonplace book walkthrough! Helps a lot with my independent studies at the moment!

[@bradchristy5002]

Excellent presentation - very helpful and well organized. Thank you so much for your work. Fascinating history & explanation. Nicely done. I just listened a couple of more times. Brilliant ideas and extremely practical. I sincerely appreciate your way of thinking & organizing your work.

[@greengirlva]

Loved this, thank you. May I ask how many notebooks/planners you carry with you always? Cheers.

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Only one planner and one notebook. I don't carry them all, everyday.

[@SN-sz7kw]

Thank you! Most useful explanation of a CP book I’ve seen. 💗

[@Geemeel1]

What a great vid. what a pity there is background music so its becomes so difficult for non-native speakers. Your voice in engaging enough not to have that background music 💖

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Aww, thank you!

[@Fclwilson]

I’m happy to have discovered your channel. Just subbed. I like this content.

[@maizygrace]

I love your system of margins, categories and color coding. I think these three things will help me level up my CPing. Thanks you for sharing! My preference is currently A5, not quite pocket sized, but I’ve been transitioning more into A6 recently, so we'll see…

[@kayhammock]

This video came up as a suggested watch. I really enjoyed your video. The idea of a comm9nplace notebook sounds like a great idea! I have a feeling I'll be binge watching your videos! Love your handwriting! ❤

[@Marion1457L]

Fascinating video guide on how to structure a commonplace notebook. I just realized that I have two larger notebooks that I use in this way, but now I may try using a smaller notebook.

[@lindahartranft9135]

This is fascinating, and I can’t wait to create one. At 72, I feel like, “Where has this been all my life?”😊 I do have a question though. Did you always write so small and neat, or did you have to train yourself to do it? Beautiful!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Nope, not at all. I’ve only been writing this way for about two years. ☺️

[@louzander]

I had the same thought. I’ve been trying to get the habit started (kinda started with bullet journaling) and I really struggle with consistency (ADHD life) but it occurred to me that if I could find a way to make my book visually appealing it might make me want to write more, and when I saw your pages I thought, those are GORGEOUS! Clean lines, tidy, and I’m guessing well organized. I’m subscribing to see if you do any videos on teaching yourself to write this way. Thank you!

[@DianeLeifer]

Such great information and explanations. I love your clear and practical system. Thank u!

[@kjmav10135]

Love your method!

[@TexasPelican]

This is excellent thank you!

[@marcwibble7949]

As other people have commented, I did not know this was a thing. Thanking you very much for sharing. I have a very disorganised bunch of notebooks and I generally have a notebook and a propelling pencil (pencils don't tun out of ink) on me. But nowadays my lasting, my longterm notes are in outliner software on tablet and phone. I personally use a tool I found some years ago just called Outliner and it's by Alfred Fritz. The good thing about notes in software is that retrieval is very easy, tags and pattern searches eg, backups are easy too (it syncs into the cloud and between devices). On the other hand, one doesn't always have the network available so I do like the idea of a decently organised notebook rather than my tiny scribbles! Thank you so much.

[@margeshuppe1872]

This is an excellent video for those of us just beginning our Commonplace Book journey. Thank you! I would like to know where you got your actual journal and the leather cover for it? Much appreciated.

[@mcdc700]

I love filling my CP book

[@jessicacollins8049]

Your handwriting is just amazing. I need to do something about thoughts and information rattling around in my brain. Ive been having sensory overload issues and i cant retain new information. I think Bach used commonplacing in his Bible.

[@bylottie]

Thank you for showing us both versions! It was really helpful to see the process and understand

[@DecenterMen]

Great video, thank you.

[@tilleternity]

Really love it

[@walkingexercise5375]

Great information!

[@cathyy5125]

Thanks for this awesome video! Going to set up my commonplace notebook. Can i ask where you got the pretty red notebook cover?

[@itsbritneybisch8552]

You have such neat handwriting for a CBP. Mine's all over the place 😂

[@JJSlone]

Really good video. Well done.

[@DynamiteBlues]

Thanks for the info.

[@laryssabianca]

great explanation of the whole process thx!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@halyj]

great video! i've seen this method before but for studying, never thought of using it for CPB. i currently use an A5 Leuchtturm and yep, it's hard to take everywhere... i was looking into pocket notebooks and this seems like a great idea for one :)

[@PlanYourOneLife]

I love Leuchtturm notebooks! Maybe you could try using their A6 size (which is really the pocket size)? They have soft cover ones that you could easily fit into your back pocket. Here’s a link to one of them: amzn.to/3sjIvSJ

[@halyj]

@@PlanYourOneLife ooh i just saw it's numbered with an index! this will be perfect!!

[@PlanYourOneLife]

@@halyj 🙌

[@michellevalt578]

I luv this thank you ❤

[@PlanYourOneLife]

You’re welcome!

[@jigsound]

What a great system! Thanks for sharing. 🙏 And a very neat handwriting, by the way 😊

[@PlanYourOneLife]

Thank you