I totally get the appeal of a physical notebook—you can’t beat the feeling of flipping back and seeing your own scribbles. But honestly, after losing one too many planners in the backseat of my truck or under a pile of tile samples, I started using a combo: notebook for sketches and random thoughts, and then I snap pics of every page with my phone. That way, if the notebook disappears (which it will), I’ve still got a backup. Not perfect, but it’s saved me from re-measuring a bathroom more than once. And yeah, taping in photos is genius... unless you run out of tape, which seems to happen at the worst times.
I started using a combo: notebook for sketches and random thoughts, and then I snap pics of every page with my phone. That way, if the notebook disappears (which it will), I’ve still got a backup.
That’s a smart workaround. I’ve had similar issues—one time I left my project notes at a friend’s house and didn’t realize until I needed them for a supply run. Having digital copies is a lifesaver, even if it feels a bit redundant. I do think there’s something about handwriting measurements that helps me remember them better, but losing them is just too risky. Your method strikes a good balance between analog and digital. And yeah, running out of tape mid-project is almost a rite of passage... I’ve started keeping a roll in my glove box just in case.
Honestly, the glove box tape stash is genius—I’m stealing that. For me, I’ve started using sticky notes for quick measurements and sticking them right onto the project itself. Not exactly high-tech, but it’s hard to lose a note when it’s literally taped to the wall. I do like the notebook-photo combo, but sometimes I forget to snap the pic and then it’s back to square one... Maybe I need a checklist just for my checklists.
Sticky notes on the wall—now that’s a trick I wish I’d thought of years ago. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve scribbled a measurement on a scrap, only to have it vanish into thin air by the next day. The notebook-photo combo sounds good in theory, but I’m with you—if I don’t snap the photo right away, it’s gone.
Honestly, whatever keeps you from losing your mind is the right system. I’ve tried apps, spreadsheets, all that jazz, but sometimes a pencil mark on the trim is the only thing that sticks. Don’t sweat the “low-tech” methods. If it works, it works. And yeah, I’ve got checklists for my checklists too... at least when I remember where I put them.
Funny how the “old school” methods just work sometimes, right? I’ve tried a handful of project management apps that promise the world, but when you’re elbow-deep in drywall dust, it’s just easier to jot a number on the wall. That said, I do wonder if anyone’s found a way to keep things organized *and* eco-friendly—like reusable whiteboard sheets or digital pens that don’t waste paper. Has anyone managed to balance low-tech with sustainability, or is it just a trade-off we accept?
