I have confessed my love and reliance on Evernote in the past. I’ve used it for years now and really would be lost without it… at least everything I have would be lost without it. A lot of people look at Evernote and use only a small portion of it or see it as just too much for their needs. The truth is, it can be as in depth and carry as big of a load as you’ll let it, but can also be a light weight, quick note taker.
Here are 6 ways I use Evernote on a regular basis…
Capture Blog Thoughts
When I get a blog idea or thought, I usually capture it in the Drafts app on my iPhone or iPad (this post started that way). From there, I can export it to a folder in Evernote called “Blog.” 99% of my blog ideas start with this folder. When the idea is imported from Drafts into Evernote, it gets the title of “Blog Idea.” Once I’ve completed the idea and written the post, the title of the note gets changed to the title of the particular blog entry. Once I post it, I add “Posted” to the top line of the article so I’ll know that the particular entry is complete. All blogs entries stay here… forever!
Back Up Important Documents
I do a lot of creating system documents and other things for our church. All of those files go into Evernote to back up. Sure, I back up my computer regularly, but I also back it up to Evernote. I’ve also found this helpful not just for in case of loss, but so it’s always with me. I can open up documents and projects that I’ve drug into Evernote from anywhere I go.
Travel Notebook
Evernote is a go anywhere app. With the premium version, I can even read and edit notes offline. This makes it great for travel. As I’m booking travel, I put all receipts and paperwork into my travel notebook. Later, when I need to remember the address for the hotel, I can click on it or copy and paste it into the maps app on my phone. This has saved me multiple times on getting confirmation numbers! Once the trip is over, I slide needed receipts into a receipts notebook and delete what I don’t need.
Takeout Menu Keeper
I’m not an “order the same thing” every time I go somewhere kind of guy. I like trying new things at restaurants. When we order takeout, I can always access the picture I took of the to-go menu in Evernote. It’s quick to recall and makes it much easier than trying to remember what the restaurant has or the price of items. I’ve sent takeout menus to a bunch of people from the Evernote app!
File For Clipped Articles
I use Pocket to quickly save something to read later. If I liked the article and want to permanently file it, I send it to a Clip, Link, & Keep stack in Evernote. Within this stack, I have notebooks divided by topic. Depending on what the article I want to keep is about, I file it in the appropriate notebook. Later, when I want to find something, I have a notebook to look to for quick access.
Sermon File System
As a teaching team, we keep all of our thoughts and sermon series outlines in shared Evernote notebooks. Personally, I have notebooks for funerals, weddings, Sundays, and Other. Every time I preach or officiate, I put what I did into these notebooks for keeping. I also create sermons in Evernote and preach straight from the Evernote app on my iPad.
These are just a few of the uses I’ve found for Evernote. I’d love to hear your system and what you use. If you’d like more ideas, I’d be willing to share those with you or in a future post, just leave a comment below.
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