On THAT Note:
Making my notes useful...
Processing Notes: From Chaos to Clarity
I’ve always believed that notes should earn their keep. If they don’t add value, why keep them? Over time, I realized that capturing ideas was just the beginning. The real power comes from refining notes and connecting them in useful ways.
That’s where Tiago Forte’s C.O.D.E. framework comes in: Capture, Organize, Distill, Express. This process transforms raw ideas into actionable insights and creative fuel. But how do we actually process those notes once we’ve captured them?
Here’s how I do it—breaking down the steps that take my notes from scattered thoughts to structured wisdom.
Step 1: Extracting the Concept
Your first pass through a note should be simple: What’s the core idea? Don’t overthink it. Just capture what feels important at the moment. Later, as you revisit the note, focus on distilling it to its essence.
Why it matters: This helps to cement your understanding and makes future reviews easier. You’re not just archiving information—you’re making it usable. Capture the information that (future) you will use.
Step 2: Shifting Your Mindset—Progressive Summarization
Think of processing as a second or third pass through the note. The first pass is to capture relevant material; the second and third passes are where the real value emerges.
The goal? Distill the note to its essence. Strip away the noise until you’re left with the clearest, most actionable insight.
Why this works: It deepens your understanding and strengthens your memory, making the note a tool for learning, not just storage.
Step 3: Details That Matter
As you refine your notes, focus on the most relevant details:
Key insights: Highlight the takeaways that pack the most value.
Supporting information: Keep it brief—only what’s necessary for context.
Tags and categories: Use categories for broader themes like Education or Writing and tags for more specific topics like neuroscience of learning. These help you quickly find related notes later.
Why it matters: A sharp focus on relevance prevents overwhelm and ensures that only the most valuable insights stand out.
Step 4: Cross-Referencing—Where Hidden Connections Emerge
The real magic of notetaking happens when ideas bump into each other. Those surprising connections pop up when you link related thoughts, and suddenly, things you hadn’t noticed before start to show themselves.
Why cross-referencing matters:
Builds a network of interconnected ideas.
Helps uncover hidden insights by connecting ideas that don’t seem related at first—but share a category, tag, link, or common theme. These unexpected connections can spark creative thinking and lead to fresh ideas.
Opens the door to breakthroughs by offering new ways of looking at things.
A network of ideas
How to do it effectively:
Link notes that share common themes, categories, or relevance.
Use categories for broad areas like Education or Writing.
Use tags for more focused topics, like neuroscience of learning.
Regularly revisit older notes—you might be surprised by the connections you didn’t see before.
The more links you create, the stronger your web of ideas becomes—turning scattered thoughts into a creative engine that deepens your understanding and sparks innovation.
Step 5: Making It Stick—Review and Reinforce
Processing your notes isn’t just about organizing; it’s about making them work for you. I use tools like Readwise and Anki to resurface important ideas and strengthen memory.
Readwise: Helps me revisit key concepts regularly so they stay fresh in my mind.
Anki flashcards: I create questions that force me to actively recall information, embedding it deeper into memory.
And let’s not forget about real-world output—my processed notes often inspire blog posts, fuel book ideas, or help me refine ongoing projects.
This cycle—Capture → Organize → Distill → Express—is how ideas evolve from fragments into fully realized thoughts.
Bringing It All Together: Your Notes in Action
Processing your notes isn’t just about organizing—it’s about unlocking their full potential. By capturing ideas, refining them through layers of summarization, and linking them together, you build a living network of thoughts that fuels creativity and sharpens your understanding.
The unexpected connections you discover—those “aha!” moments—aren’t accidents. They’re the reward for taking the time to revisit, refine, and connect your notes thoughtfully.
Now it’s your turn. Start small. Revisit an old note, connect it to something new, and watch as fresh ideas emerge. Every connection brings you one step closer to deeper understanding and unexpected breakthroughs.
This entire post reiterates the C.O.D.E. method, adding my approach to capturing notes. I hope you find it useful.
That’s My Perspective