SUYU Notes — Reflection Sheet
- Cam Bestwick
- Mar 1, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: May 11
^Use this to briefly reflect on how well your own note-making system is developing; and to identify what changes you could make it work better. Ideally you should reflect on this at least every 6 months.
The big question:
What changes do I need to make to improve my practice over the next 6 months, and how will I make myself enact these changes?
To find the answers, consider the more focused questions below:
Am I following the key principles?
Am I balancing the amount of effort I am putting into notes with the benefit I will get from those notes?
Am I being iterative in my note-making?
Am I searching for the smallest upfront investments I can make in my notes which have the largest payoffs later on?
Am I making my notes understandable and usable for someone else who ‘wasn’t there’ when the information was initially encountered?
Am I being consistent and predictable at making notes and storing them in the fewest possible locations?
Am I facing any specific obstacles when trying to implement the SUYU Notes approach, and how can I address them?
Am I able to bridge gaps between each phase of the SUYU Notes cycle (encounter > capture > improve > use) to ensure continuous improvement and application?
Am I really trying my best to apply the principles and techniques of SUYU Notes system for myself?
Am I following good habits at the initial note-taking stages?
Am I able to start making a note within 15 seconds of encountering important information?
Am I giving myself the option of writing a lot of notes quickly, in case I need to?
Am I making an effort to write notes in my own words where possible?
Am I adding symbols or annotations to denote major changes of speaker or tone (such as quotations, personal reactions, or action items) in my notes?
Am I including enough information in each note to easily reference its source material?
Am I following good habits when (re)using notes / at the later note-making stages?
Am I actively trying to use my notes to inform decision-making, problem-solving, or action-taking in various aspects of my life?
Am I organising my notes by topic rather than by source to facilitate easier retrieval and use?
Am I making improvements to my notes primarily while I’m already handling them?
More detailed explanations of the SUYU Notes system and why reflection is important can be found in the resource: SUYU Notes — A Recap.
