Playing with some of the methodologies like GTD and others is a good way to get started. A lot of it just has to do with getting thoughts out of your head and into either a text file or physical media. Personally I use a mix, I use digital for things that are nicer to cut and paste, and a journal that I date every page with.<p>I found the biggest improvement is having separate journals for &#x27;projects&#x27; and &#x27;day-to-day&#x27; as the writing for both is entirely different. A project in this case is something that doesn&#x27;t have a distinct end. Watch and take notes on a youtube video? That goes in a day journal. Watch a series of videos on youtube that is going to take you a couple days? That goes in a project journal.<p>Trying to merge everything into one is what killed me.