# 3 Low-Friction Capture Habits That Keep My Notes Organized (Even on Busy Days) ## A good capture process is about friction – but knowing the right amount. Published [[ Atomic Essay]] on Idea Waypoints --- Habits are shaped by how easy or hard they are to do. James Clear’s *[Atomic Habits](https://notes.leahferguson.com/50+Reference/53+Books/clear2018AtomicHabitsEasy)* explains: to build good habits, lower friction; to break bad habits, raise it. Note-taking follows the same rule – capture effortlessly, organize thoughtfully. Make it easy to get what you want into your system, and be able to find it again when you need it. If capturing an idea or a reference feels like a chore, you won't do it. Or you'll half-ass it, with the very good intent of planning to go in and clean it up later. (I'm guilty of this… unprocessed book recommendations or notes can pile up!) The goal is fast, low-friction capture – with just enough structure and process to prevent chaos later. When I first read David Allen's *[Getting Things Done](https://notes.leahferguson.com/50+Reference/53+Books/allen2015GettingThingsDone)* twenty-something years ago, I really appreciated the concept that "the mind is for having ideas, not holding them." The [GTD system](https://notes.leahferguson.com/40+Atomic/Getting+Things+Done+(GTD)) is a great example of a process that values externalizing your memory to make it more actionnable… and less likely to forget something you didn't mean to. But the system relies on consistency and structures, otherwise you'll never see those tasks again. The same goes for however you store your notes. If your "trusted system" is a mess of uncategorized notes that not even a search can help you, it won’t feel very trustworthy. Here’s how I reduce friction without losing control: 1. **A Dedicated Inbox:** This is where ideas go fast – no judgment, no organizing. The goal is to **capture first, sort later**. Sometimes, these are even captured with automations – no Leah required. I review and process this inbox regularly to keep momentum. 2. **Daily Notes:** A simple landing pad for each day. I’ve automated shortcuts to send ideas here from mobile or web. This zone reduces friction by letting me capture fleeting notes without slowing down. This also serves as a tool for planning and reflection. 3. **Topic Logs:** Focused running notes tied to themes or projects. Easy to reference or add to from anywhere, and easier to view in other [Markdown](https://notes.leahferguson.com/40+Atomic/Markdown) apps, including [DEVONthink](https://notes.leahferguson.com/00+Meta/06+Tools/DEVONthink). I plan to expand on each of these trusted areas, but it's also worth noting… not *everything* needs to be saved. Part of the review process may be to bin a note that was only temporarily helpful, instead of it becoming additional noise and friction in your system. By reducing friction around capture, but adding some structure to processing, I keep my system sustainable and useful—without getting overwhelmed. (And I say this as a person who left [Evernote](https://notes.leahferguson.com/00+Meta/06+Tools/Evernote) after 13 years with something like 19,000 notes and 1,000 tags…) If your note-taking feels like a grind, ask: where can you **reduce friction** to capture better? And where do you need **just enough friction** to keep order? Designate your capture zones. Build your review habit. Capture more, stress less. --- **Today's question:** What friction have you been feeling in your own systems? What friction could you add or remove?