# My Free Note-taking Framework for Apple Notes  ## Introduction [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=0s) - The biggest problem with note-taking systems is often [[Thought disorder | disorganization]], which can lead to notes being scattered across different apps or struggling to find saved ideas [(00:00:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=3s). - A simple system called the Forever Notes framework has been developed to tackle these challenges, specifically designed for [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Notes [(00:00:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=21s). - The Forever Notes framework helps users capture ideas easily, find information quickly, and manage notes better [(00:00:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=27s). - Digital lives can become cluttered with scattered notes, saved articles, and digital documents, affecting productivity and mental clarity [(00:00:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=31s). - Disorganization can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and unfocused, making it difficult to find important information when needed [(00:00:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=39s). - The Forever Notes framework was created to address these challenges, and Apple Notes was chosen due to its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, easy note capture speed, and offline capabilities [(00:01:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=62s). - The system is designed to grow with the user, regardless of their level of experience with note-taking, and is structured around three levels: beginner, intermediate, and expert [(00:01:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=79s). - The three levels of the Forever Notes framework will be explored in detail throughout the video [(00:01:25)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=85s). ## Home [(00:01:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=88s) - The "Home" note is a key element that can transform an entire digital workspace, providing instant access to crucial notes and serving as a digital Command Center where all important information comes together [(00:01:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=95s). - The Home note gives users a clear, organized starting point for all note-taking activities and is the first place to go when opening [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Notes [(00:01:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=101s). - The star symbol, also called the heavy asterisk, is used to quickly mark and identify the most important notes in the Forever Notes framework, making linking and searching for keynotes easier [(00:02:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=125s). - A text replacement can be set up to automatically replace double asterisks followed by a space with a heavy asterisk symbol, making it easier to mark important notes [(00:02:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=139s). - Creating a Home note is simple and involves making a new note in Apple Notes, titling it "Home", and adding links to the most important notes and information [(00:02:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=148s). - The Home note can include links to current projects, key areas of life, frequently accessed resources, and other important information, and can be customized to fit individual needs [(00:02:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=160s). - The Home note can be pinned and accessed even faster using an Apple shortcut, providing a clear starting point for note organization and saving time [(00:02:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=178s). - The centralization of notes in the Home note reduces mental clutter and eliminates the need to remember where important notes are stored [(00:03:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=197s). - The Home note is part of the larger Forever Notes framework, serving as a central hub for note organization and access [(00:03:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=211s). ## Tags [(00:03:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=214s) - Tags allow for categorizing a single note in multiple ways, providing more flexibility than traditional folders which limit a note to one location [(00:03:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=220s). - Using tags, a note can be labeled with multiple categories, making it easy to find regardless of the search method, such as by dish type or temperature [(00:04:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=242s). - The multi-tag approach helps organize information in more dynamic and efficient ways [(00:04:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=249s). - In Forever notes, four types of tags are used: note type tags, life area tags, detail tags, and system tags [(00:04:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=254s). - Note type tags describe what the note is, such as document, recipe, or resource [(00:04:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=260s). - Life area tags link notes that fall into different life areas, like health or finances [(00:04:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=267s). - Detail tags add more information about the note, like cold or hot for recipes, or Italian and Asian for cuisine types [(00:04:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=271s). - System tags are used for tracking the status of a note, such as in progress or done [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=279s). - To build a tagging system, consider the types of notes created most often, keep tags clear and descriptive, and assign at least one tag per note for easy search and organization [(00:04:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=288s). - Effective tagging can save time and make finding information quick and easy, simplifying information retrieval [(00:04:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=297s). ## Collections [(00:05:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=310s) - Collections use Smart folders and EP notes to gather notes with shared attributes, allowing notes to sort themselves into perfect order [(00:05:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=311s). - A collection can be created for any type of notes, such as a Project's collection including all notes tagged with #t project, or a people collection grouping notes tagged with #person [(00:05:23)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=323s). - Useful examples of collections include a people collection with notes about friends, family, colleagues, or clients, a resources collection referencing materials, guides, or useful links, and an ideas collection with brainstorming notes and creative thoughts [(00:05:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=339s). - Collections are particularly useful for a larger group of notes, but it's essential not to overuse them, and they should only be created for frequently accessed groups of notes or for a broader overview [(00:05:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=356s). - Collections can be sorted in different ways, such as alphabetically or by creation date, depending on the type of collection [(00:06:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=371s). - Collections create a clear structure that complements the use of tags, making it easier to find a specific note type without relying solely on memory or search functions [(00:06:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=377s). - A well-organized collection system intuitively organizes digital notes, maintaining the system's efficiency and allowing for easy access to frequently used notes [(00:06:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=389s). ## Hubs [(00:06:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=393s) - Hubs are central nodes dedicated to specific topics or categories, acting as a map for organizing related content and linking notes to broader themes, allowing users to connect individual notes and ideas and create an overview of information that's easy to navigate and understand [(00:06:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=408s). - A hub can be created for any topic, such as health and fitness, finances, hobbies, or learning, and serves as a central reference point for everything related to that topic in the user's digital world [(00:07:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=430s). - Setting up a hub is straightforward, involving creating a new note with a topic name preceded by the heavy asterisk symbol, organizing subtopics using headings, and linking related notes or creating new ones by typing double greater than signs followed by the note name [(00:07:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=450s). - Hubs are entirely customizable to the user's needs and interests, allowing them to transform information management by creating a structured approach to organizing knowledge [(00:08:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=489s). - The beauty of hubs lies in their ability to create a network of connections, enabling users to navigate seamlessly between related ideas, providing context and connections that might not be immediately obvious when looking at individual notes [(00:08:15)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=495s). - To maintain the effectiveness of hubs, it's essential to regularly review and adjust them to ensure they stay up-to-date and relevant as the user's knowledge and interests evolve [(00:08:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=512s). ## Journal [(00:08:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=528s) - The Forever Notes framework includes a Journal feature, a multi-layered reflection tool that helps users reflect on different time scales, from daily thoughts to yearly reviews, allowing them to track growth and insights over time [(00:08:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=529s). - The Journal feature consists of daily, monthly, quarterly, and yearly notes, which are reused year after year, providing a structured system for reflection and growth [(00:09:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=545s). - Daily notes capture immediate thoughts, experiences, and observations, helping users build a consistent journaling habit [(00:09:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=579s). - Monthly notes provide a broader perspective, allowing users to log monthly highlights, reflect on progress towards goals, and set intentions for the coming month [(00:09:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=589s). - Quarterly notes are used for reviewing larger projects, assessing progress on annual goals, and making adjustments to plans [(00:09:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=599s). - Yearly notes are for Big Picture Reflections, where users look back on achievements, challenges, and growth over the past year and set ambitious goals for the year ahead [(00:10:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=607s). - The Journal feature is flexible and can be adapted to fit individual needs and lifestyles, allowing users to add or remove sections as desired [(00:11:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=661s). - Signifiers are simple visual shortcuts that help users quickly identify the purpose or context of each list item, inspired by the bullet Journal method [(00:11:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=679s). - Common signifiers include bullets for events, dashes for thoughts or notes, checkboxes for milestone achievements, and numbered lists for priority items [(00:11:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=704s). - The Highlight feature is used to mark special items that users want to remember or stand out [(00:11:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=718s). - Hyperlinks play a crucial role in keeping notes connected and easy to navigate, with two main types of links: navigational links and links between notes [(00:12:29)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=749s). - Navigational links help users move up and down the hierarchy of their notes, such as between the home note and hubs and subnotes [(00:12:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=756s). - The Forever Notes framework consists of several components, including the home note, tags, collections, hubs, and the Journal, each serving a specific purpose but together forming a powerful system for managing information [(00:12:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=736s). - Knowledge links connect related topics within the same hierarchy, allowing users to create links between nodes and build a web of connected information that's easy to explore [(00:13:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=780s). - To implement the framework without feeling overwhelmed, start small and build gradually by creating a home note as a central reference point, using tags on new notes, and creating collections [(00:13:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=807s). - As users progress, they can introduce hubs starting with one or two key areas, and incorporate the journal feature to add Reflections to their routine [(00:13:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=831s). - The framework helps users manage information more effectively, reducing time spent searching for notes and increasing time spent using the information collected [(00:14:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=841s). - The Forever Notes framework is about organizing digital notes, decluttering the mind, and focusing on what really matters, transforming chaos into order and freeing up mental space for creativity and growth [(00:14:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=857s). - Additional resources, including in-depth videos, best practices, and examples, will be shared to help users set up and use the framework [(00:14:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=870s). - Detailed documentation and [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] shortcuts to set up the framework can be found on forevernotes.com, and users can also sign up for a monthly newsletter to receive tips and updates on the framework [(00:14:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYjtorC4Iq4&t=882s).