6 Powerful Note-Taking Tools to Activate Your Mind & Connect Ideas: The Story Behind How Pocket Hit 20M Users with 20 People

Glasp

Hatched by Glasp

Sep 11, 2023

4 min read

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6 Powerful Note-Taking Tools to Activate Your Mind & Connect Ideas: The Story Behind How Pocket Hit 20M Users with 20 People

Note-taking is a powerful tool that helps us retain knowledge and make connections. Bill Gates himself recognizes the importance of taking notes, stating that it helps him think deeply about the information he's consuming. But note-taking is not just about writing on paper anymore. With the advent of technology, we now have a plethora of digital note-taking tools at our disposal.

One of the advantages of digital notes is their searchability. With a simple Ctrl + F, you can easily find specific keywords or phrases within your notes. This makes it much easier to revisit and review your notes. The ability to search for and find information quickly is a key feature for many note-takers.

However, audio notes also have their benefits. They allow for a more natural and fluid way of capturing ideas, especially when you're on the go. But one drawback of audio notes is the need for transcription. Transcribing audio notes can be time-consuming, especially if you're recording longer, more detailed thoughts. This is where a tool like Glasp could come in handy. It could potentially incorporate a transcribing function to make the process easier and more efficient.

Note-taking is not just about passively recording information. It is an active process that involves making sense of the material and creating meaning for later reflection and study. As professor Hetty Roessingh from the University of Calgary explains, note-taking becomes note-making. It is about engaging with the content and connecting it with your existing knowledge.

Shane Parrish of Farnam Street emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and making connections when reading. If you're reading too fast, you're not truly absorbing the information and challenging your own understanding. Note-taking can help facilitate this process by forcing you to slow down, think critically, and make connections.

One note-taking tool that stands out is Glasp. It allows you to highlight and take notes on almost any website, making it a versatile tool for both research and personal use. What sets Glasp apart is its ability to collect and organize your notes and highlights on your Glasp profile. You can even view other users' notes for inspiration or add them to your own collection. However, it's worth noting that Glasp does come with a cost. The basic plan is $5 a month, but if you want additional features like tags and exporting to other apps, you'll need to upgrade to the $8 a month plan. However, Glasp does offer a free Kindle Highlight Export feature, which allows you to leave notes on each highlight.

Another noteworthy tool is Notion, which works seamlessly with Glasp. Notion helps keep your reading list and notes database organized, making it a valuable tool for those who want to streamline their note-taking process.

Moving on to the story behind Pocket, it is a prime example of how a small team can achieve significant impact. Pocket's founder, Nate Weiner, initially couldn't fathom having a team of 60 people like Evernote. He believed that a smaller team could maintain a razor focus on what truly mattered. With a smaller headcount, Weiner was able to keep Pocket's culture concentrated and ensure that everyone remained aligned with the company's mission.

Culture plays a crucial role in the success of a company, and Pocket understood this well. They recognized that the founder's personality traits influence the company's culture, so they focused on building a strong foundation from the start. Like a stew, they let a few choice ingredients simmer together, allowing their culture to develop naturally and authentically.

A small team also enables faster bonding and the formation of a common worldview. Without complex hierarchies in the way, team members can connect more quickly and effectively. Pocket leveraged this advantage by finding ways to include people outside of their team in their decision-making process. They constantly asked themselves how they could make things simpler for everyone involved, avoiding the need to reinvent the wheel.

In conclusion, note-taking is a valuable tool for activating our minds and connecting ideas. Whether you prefer digital or traditional note-taking methods, the key is to actively engage with the material and make it meaningful. Tools like Glasp and Notion provide convenient ways to organize and revisit your notes, helping you make the most out of your knowledge. When it comes to building a successful company, the story of Pocket shows us that size doesn't necessarily equal impact. A small team can maintain focus, build a strong culture, and find innovative ways to include others in their journey. Here are three actionable pieces of advice:

  • 1. Slow down and think critically when taking notes. Don't just passively record information, but actively engage with it and make connections to your existing knowledge.
  • 2. Consider using digital note-taking tools like Glasp and Notion to streamline your note-taking process and keep your notes organized.
  • 3. If you're building a team, focus on building a strong culture from the start. Let a few choice ingredients simmer together and form bonds quickly. Keep things simple and find ways to include others in your decision-making process. Remember, size doesn't matter as much as focus and impact.

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