The Shoebox Method

An analog approach to developing big projects.
Getting Started with Sketchnoting (Free Download): geni.us/Wo6w
The box: amzn.to/2MhgCkL
White index cards: amzn.to/2sA3SfG
Color tabbed card: amzn.to/2VZ6n9a
(the three links above are affiliate links)
My name is Doug Neill and I'm passionate about helping others reach their full creative potential. I teach a skill called sketchnoting (also known as visual note-taking and graphic recording), which for me is a gateway to doing better work. Check out the resources below for more info.
** Resources **
Getting Started with Sketchnoting (Free Download): geni.us/Wo6w
An Introduction To Visual Note-Taking: geni.us/DFJw0
Sketchnoting In The Classroom: geni.us/0jlmV
How To Make Sketchnote Videos: geni.us/uzXlBq
Learn a New Language with Sketchnotes: geni.us/iuAFK
Build an Online Course with Sketchnotes: geni.us/4zfvYA
Learn In Public: geni.us/SdNM9
The Verbal To Visual Community: geni.us/tyI2N8a
*Our Website*
www.verbaltovisual.com/
I've chosen to not be on any social media platforms other than KZbin.
To stay in touch via email, subscribe to my newsletter: geni.us/nwHp

[@alexchang666]

Zettelkastan?

[@verbaltovisual]

Hadn't heard of it, but looks about the same! Here's a video I found interesting if folks want to explore: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIC2i4J5pNaCpZo

[@imagomundiful]

Zettelkasten is more about building an all-encompassing 2nd brain, using links and tags to connect between atomic ideas instead of categories, meant to be kept and reference for life. Originally in plain text. This system seems a good productivity on-project solution though. The advantage of loose cards is that it can be so much easier to recombine ideas and have them in front of your eyes when needed. Definitely worth to try out both :)

[@t0dd000]

@@imagomundiful Right. Many of the folks I see attempting to implement Zettelkasten end up slipping back into what they are familiar: topic based ordering and structure. That being said, this is still a helpful model and would not take a ton of effort to use these cards to seed a slip box and make the switch (and still maintain all those project cards). :)

[@imagomundiful]

@@t0dd000 I was also a bit blocked by the idea: to separate or not to separate (specific research notes from general zettels or project related notes). I am trying to put everything together for now. Who knows, maybe it allows to wire some stuff together which would have never clicked otherwise. But yeah... categorisation is the enemy of web-like thinking :))

[@chefkero]

Zettelkasten but but with modification. But hey as long it's works why not. Just like not everyone can use GTD. Some prefer ZTD or bullet journals.

[@SonshineLady7]

We were taught a similar method in a high school English class in the early 70's to organize our thoughts when writing a term paper. We used 3x5 cards per 1 or 2 ideas supplying the flexibility you referenced to move the cards around until we captured the flow of our thoughts that then gelled into the completed paper. I continued using this method in college, sitting in the library with the stack of books I'd selected from researching the library card file, looking for those "nuggets" that would support my thesis. I went back for my Masters when I was 40. The internet had just come begun but was still only hypertext (clicking on a word would jump to another page, document, etc. - what we today call links) with no photos. We still researched physical books at the library but, since we had access to a student internet account, we could do computer searching at home. Iirc, I entered the info I noted on the cards on a document file and used the word processing tools to move the info around. After approximately a generation of digital methods, and seeing "Go Paperless!" when I enter a businesses site online, it is personally heart-warming to see current videos on old, familiar, tried and true analog methods. I enjoyed watching this video.

[@karenrich9092]

These 3 x 5 cards are also useful for managing a household as created by Pam Young and Peggy Jones, The Slob Sisters. I like your tabbed dividers, but I would buy some 4 x 6 size to create those and maybe highlight them in your favorite color. As some comments have mentioned, the box is not really portable, but is good for more stationary work at home or in the office. I would worry about dropping the box, spilling the cards, and having to restore the order. If you have a power outage, however, you risk losing your work on a computer. Lots to think about here.

[@Jets1713]

“Nothing fancy here, nothing polished..” shows his polished hand writing and fancy sketches.

[@srideviraman6662]

The digital equivalent of the shoebox is TRELLO. Its immensely useful.

[@ServantStatusMinistries]

This is good period because as someone who is a creative I would lose it if one day google or any form of app you are using just stops working and all of your files are gone. With this method you have the physical copy and you also are more creative when not on the computer jotting notes down. Also, Check your local libraries too because they may be giving these away since sadly many are doing away with the dewey decimal system and the check out cards which are about 3x5

[@edwardo737]

Love that you prefer the analog. I do most things digitally, but I recently started an old school paper journal to track certain things like fitness activity. Loving it. May give your shoe box method a go for a special project.

[@verbaltovisual]

Nice! Good luck with the project.

[@utheolstephaniewilliams9143]

Can you do a video on Sönke Ahrens "How To Take Smart Notes"? I really want to see your interpretation from a sketch-note lens on the whole Zettle Kasten process.

[@weddingstyle]

This is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@macloud51]

Superb! You've given me a wonderful idea on how to develop my ideas for this year. Thank you very much for your time and kindness. LOVE, LIVE, LEARN n LAUGH MAC

[@Busybeeplanningsolutions]

I used this method one year about 20 years ago in a slightly different way. I have been thinking about giving it a try again in 2022. Nice video.

[@verbaltovisual]

That's great! For what sort of project?

[@Busybeeplanningsolutions]

@@verbaltovisual really everything. It was a daily to-do list and if I had a major project for work or home, I broke it down on the cards. I’ve also used it for note-taking (capturing thoughts and ideas on a card) and for just jotting down ideas on the go.

[@mtexaneel3769]

Thank you. Really helpful for me

[@Dunamis_010]

This is pretty cool and smart. Thanks for sharing.

[@floatysarah]

This was fun to watch & interesting. Yes, it reminded me of the old Index Card systems - and i really appreciated your take on it. Thanks

[@thameeza_an]

Thank you so much♥️😍

[@yohanesliong4818]

Great video. Thanks.

[@sakurave]

Thank you !

[@ceafva]

Different than Zettelkasten. One focus, no numbering. Can be cross-referenced later if desired to incorporate in other projects, like a book, etc.

[@aayushmanawasthi9195]

Ty sir love your sketch noting skills

[@ceafva]

Started this process back in the early 60s in high school. Have used it ever since. You did mention something interesting...the recycle bin. Would like to know more about how you use this. I have something in mind based on the words; however, not sure how you use this. FYI, thank you. Enjoyed this review.

[@djb1164]

It's a trash can. You throw the card away.

[@barbra429]

How do you organize your doodles

[@monmioamio]

👌🏻after the fear of the blank page, hello fear of the empty box. 😁

[@verbaltovisual]

Haha, a much more manageable fear if you ask me!

[@biancaaguglia3742]

😁 In my case, first, there's the fear of the empty index card. Then, once I have a decent amount of index cards, there comes the fear of the box (since I have to organize it.)

[@ServantStatusMinistries]

Bianca Aguglia LoL well the best I can think of doing is to a tagging system even with the index cards if you don’t digitally store everything in a notes app. Just when you file everything away try to do it like the old fashioned Dewey decimal system. Make a reference sheet of what subjects would fit in what number sets according to the theme of what your writing or store everything alphabetically. :)

[@floatysarah]

​@ServantStatusMinistries could you explain this with an example? I'm not getting it! Thanks

[@katsmith8263]

This is great, but... Notion app is much more useful in search...and display...and portability

[@andristihomirovs]

You find Zettelkasten Methond, then rename it to the shoebox method. And you have new methond. Easy Peasy.

[@brendalg4]

@@peezy-wheezy says he hadn't heard of it when he made this. More than one person can come up with a similar idea

[@aayushmanawasthi9195]

Sir I would love to share my sketchnotes how can I ?? And will like to listen few improve ments and suggestions as well

[@verbaltovisual]

Share it on Twitter and tag me and I'll take a look! @douglaspneill

[@keshav_p]

hi Ayushman .. i am also a sketnoter.. from near by.. would love to .. discuss on them with you

[@briangay1947]

Where did you get that shoebox and hardware that went inside?

[@verbaltovisual]

Amazon - links in description.

[@rbpompeu1]

Try Obsidian

[@krystalrussell4350]

I wouldn't use that box. Mine has wear and tear and broke them again it was stepped on.

[@solvitasperambulatorum8624]

Nice arm

[@MrJacknsharon]

Thats it. The beauty of mansplaining. What else are you teaching? Hopefully there is a parenting and marriage course in there. This rocks!

[@QuantumAstrophile]

you cant take credit for analogue zettlekasten which has been around longer than you were born. Shame on you (disappointed)

[@aceqman]

This is so fake - this is not a shoebox, in this box there is not even place for one shoe...... This is misleading title, actually clickbait, only because there is such a big demand on shoeboxes at the moment!

[@phantomindustries8519]

2:25 in and I’m out. This is terrible. And of course you are making a course. Isn’t every single person breathing? 🙄