Commonplace Book (updated 11/03/24)

Below is a binder of book excerpts that I have collected over the years.  Apparently, there's an official name for it: A commonplace book.  Great minds like "Milton, Bacon, Locke--were all zealous believers in the memory enhancing powers of the commonplace book"--at least, that's what an excerpt from my commonplace book tells me. 

Every day I read a page from three different sections, so I can reacquaint myself with the new and old.

Below are the books that I have most recently transcribed and added to my commonplace book (And who says that work hiatus is boring!). 

I record and recite word definitions too!

A technique that I have intuitively discovered for greater highlighting and book transcription efficiency is to highlight the first and last word in a squiggle-like manner.  Not only will ink be saved but you will have several reference points to which you could refer to, say, if for whatever reason, you got distracted during the transcription process.  You may not remember exactly where you left off, but you could remember that it was somewhere to the right of T2 (at each bend is a letter and a number).  Personally, I like to stop typing on a word that is covered by highlighter, so that when I return to the transcribing process, I can easily find the last word typed by following the squiggly. 

This may seem like a trivial observance, but if you're digesting more complicated texts, such as law books--where vast amounts of information will be highlighted--it's good to have reference points for better readability and transcription.   

 Innovative Bindermarkers ("Shark Tank" it!)

If  you're having trouble comprehending what you're reading, read it aloud.  This may be an elementary tactic, but there are many things that we do in life that are shared without explanation, because of presumed common sense--like 69'ing and whistling.  In effect, many known things aren't utilized or understood properly.  In short, the "why's" matter.  Just because I said so should be anathema.  For cross-purpose principle inculcation will yield compliance for similar circumstances.  Give a man a tuna fish and he will eat tuna for a day.  Teach a man the ability to fish and he will eat whatever fish comes his way (*$**)

Also, I am now studying abstract learning.  I think I dabbled in it my high school math class, but the concept flew over my head.  I think it should be called "individual piece pattern discernment."  Who the heck knows what abstract learning means? Plus, with "individual piece pattern discernment" or IPPD, you inherently understand that each piece has it's own pattern--so you don't confuse the part with the whole (^).  But I have a theory that teachers don't want you to learn, they just want you to understand your place in the pecking order; or perhaps, because they understand the pattern looking at it as a whole, they feel that explaining that each piece has an individual pattern would be asinine, as it is self-evident.  Sometimes, it takes a dummy to teach a dummy (but I would like to think of myself as a reformed dummy.  But I think that's limiting language, and I believe in constant progress: "I'm a reforming dummy" 😤.  One's self-work must be perpetual!).     

Read like you mean it

Every day I like to shoot for five pages each from an easy, hard, and interesting read.  This is just a guide, however.  It's also good to have alternate activities that you can substitute to give your mind a sense of novelty.  For instance, some days I will dedicate more time to transcribing, journaling, or impromptu typing sessions than reading: It just depends on how I feel that day.  The key is to have productive activities that yield progress. (*&)

I also make sure that I have a highlighter right beside my book to remember why I'm reading.  Once I start to passively read, I transition to an easier or a more interesting read, or an entirely different activity.  For this reason, it's good to have a fourth read that you can substitute.  Right now I have two books that I'm really engaged with, and three on stand-by, and I have a box of books that I will eventually get to--maybe.      

A-ten-hut!

When it comes to typing--or anything, really--you want to optimize form so your focus is completely attuned with the transcribing process.  Once form becomes habit you subconsciously inform your body that it's game time when you initiate proper form.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

Once you start creating anything it can become a never-ending desire for greater progress--and there will be lulls.  The key is to stay engaged with the habits that you cultivated to create past inspirations.  Have varied passions and look for the adjacent possible.  And don't sell yourself cheap.  I recently read of a painter who was asked what inspired his renowned work of art, he replied, "the thousand iterations that came before it."

 

*$* -  Google tells me that the font type Comic Sans facilitates better memorability compared to other fonts.  Although everyone is a comedian these days, so take that advice with a grain of salt.  Nevertheless, placebo effect or not, all my vocab sheets and study guides are typed with the aforementioned font, and I have no complaints.    

 I received verification from Google Search: "The irregularity of its composition and the variation in letter height make it particularly readable for those who suffer from reading difficulties. Comic Sans was also part of a study by Princeton University which showed that the font could literally improve your memory."

^ - IPPD (https://www.practiceaptitudetests.com/abstract-reasoning-tests/) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCdQkgSwNoU 

*$* - Though the Rule of Three has a different meaning, according to Google, I find it has great applicability when it comes to memorization.  When first learning a vocab sheet, I'll recite a definition three times before I move onto the next definition.  I do this until I can cover up the definition and recite it from my memory.  I find it of great help to have an intriguing example following the definition; e.g. "She accepted the invitation with alacrity."  Perhaps the same is true for mistyped words.  Revisit and and retype, perhaps (how neurotic are you?). 

*$* - Have flexibility in executing: e g., I can have 5-15 almonds, 1-2 brazil nuts, and 2-5 walnuts per day--as long as their mass adds up to no more than 30-40grams; I can read 5-10 pages of this  book, 2-5 of the next, and 1-3 of the really hard one.  Really, you feel freer with options--so create them!  Really though, these are just guidelines.  I usually just eye it up (Except the brazil nuts...1-2 only).  

   *$* - Upon waking every morning, recite a daily affirmation or petition each day.  It may sound silly, but mine is, "help me be smart, help me be funny."  Or just "help me be amazing today."  I think to be more consistent, I'm going to tape it to my ceiling, and maybe you should too! 

*& - If an EDM song doesn't jump off by 1 minute in that's a non-starter for an exercise playlist song.  And perhaps one approach to reading should be the same.  If you can only tolerate 3 pages of a certain book before you lose interest, then that's the beginning limit you set for yourself.  You extend the reading only if you stumble upon reading that you find enjoyable or useful.  But commit to that minimum page length.  

*$** - Teach fishing