Chapter 1: Unlocking Evernote's Potential

Wouldn't it be intriguing if everyone shared the same perspective? However, the reality is that our individual viewpoints shape how we interact with the world around us. Shouldn't technology be designed to accommodate our unique ways of thinking instead of expecting us to conform? Evernote stands out as a tool that helps you concentrate on your busy schedule, maintain organization in your life, or navigate your hobbies effectively. With Evernote, you have the flexibility to tailor it to your specific needs, and each significant update brings even more customization options.

Let's delve into six strategies that can significantly boost your productivity.

1. Personalize Your 'Home' Layout

   The 'Home' feature provides a clear and organized overview of your most important information. Customize your Evernote experience with various widgets and options to conserve time and cognitive effort.

   To get started:

   • Tailor your workspace by adding, removing, resizing (available on desktop/web), and rearranging widgets.
   • Filter notes to display only those that meet certain criteria.
   • Utilize multiple scratchpads, pinned notes, and filtered note widgets for added flexibility.
   • Customize your scratch pad’s title, background image, and color to match your current mood.

2. Customize the 'Create' Button

   On both iOS and Android, you can personalize the create button to streamline your most frequent actions at your fingertips. There are seven button styles available, each with distinct options. While the default button is accessible to all users, others require a subscription.

   Available actions include:

   • Attachment: Access your operating system’s file manager.
   • Recording: Starts recording as soon as a new note is created.
   • Camera: Opens the Evernote camera.
   • New Note: Creates a blank note.
   • Scan: Launches the Evernote scanner.
   • Draw: Opens the drawing program.
   • Task: Creates a new task within your default task note.

   Here is a helpful guide on how to customize the create button.

   Customize the create button

   On iOS and Android, you can customize the create button to work the way you want, putting your most-used actions at…

   help.evernote.com

3. Make Note 'Templates' Reusable

   Templates can greatly enhance your efficiency. You can find numerous templates, but did you know you can create your own by modifying existing notes? This allows you to save time and get straight to what matters.

4. Add 'Shortcuts' to the Sidebar

   Easily access your most-used Evernote content by creating shortcuts. You can set shortcuts for notes, notebooks, notebook stacks, tags, or saved searches.

5. Save 'Searches' for Quick Access

   Save your frequently used search terms and phrases in Evernote, syncing them across all devices. This is particularly useful for complex searches. Simply click or tap on the search bar to access your saved searches.

6. Utilize 'Tags' for Enhanced Organization

   Tags can be applied to notes, aiding in quicker retrieval and browsing, especially if you have a large number of notes. For example, you can create tags for:

   • Family members and items such as grocery lists and to-do lists (daily, weekly, monthly).
   • Subjects in school or tags for each semester.
   • Projects categorized by their status (active, next, completed) or specific details.
   • Priority labels for notes (p1, p2, p3).
   • Locations or names related to recruitment tasks (e.g., New York City, Tokyo).
   • Research-related tags for companies or projects.

Trusting Evernote is essential. As Evernote continues to evolve, it aims to complement the exceptional minds that contribute to our world. Ultimately, Evernote's mission is to serve as an extension of your cognitive processes, enabling you to focus on what truly matters in the most efficient manner possible.

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Chapter 2: Exploring Evernote's Features

In this video, titled "How I use Evernote to Organize My Life and Be Productive," you will learn practical strategies for using Evernote to streamline your daily routine and maximize productivity.

Check out "10 Evernote Tips for Better Productivity (2021)" for additional tips to enhance your efficiency with Evernote and transform the way you manage your tasks.