Have been iterating on a notes system as I also found no software gave me the complete solution.

Here is my current system for notes that combines written notes with electronic back-up.

So far the system below is working but still looking to improve further. Especially around pdf highlighting and notes for research papers.

Would appreciate feedback/ideas.

Note taking System:

Principals:

- Evernote is used as the electronic data base of notes

- i classify/differentiate notes between ephemeral and long-term archival

- only long term goes into Evernote

1. Journal for ideas etc.

- Started keeping a notebook around 2015-2016. This is with me most of the time

- Use a modified bullet journal format.

http://bulletjournal.com/

- Have a daily log, monthly log. This is for ephemeral notes such as
Meeting notes&Tasks

- Modules: long-term log: Ideas, insights log, unanswered questions, problems go here

Modules are dedicated pages around a specific topic. I usually dedicate two pages at a time.

- separate modules When
researching a specific topic, doing a course, reading a physical book etc.

- These modules go right in whichever month It is. So e.g I may have a few days of March, then start a new module in between.

- Index with page numbers goes in the front of the journal with start of each month and various topics. Once an item is listed on index any additional pages get listed next to original page.

Example Index :

Idea log - p14, P23
February 2018 - p18, p34
System theory - p27
March 2018 - p43

- The journal is purely functional. No fancy drawing etc. Try to keep it as minimal and functional as possible. Others use the bullet journal format for creative outlet.

- Every 3 months or so, take pictures of the pages that are important and they go into Evernote.

- Each “module” goes into a separate note. They are tagged by year, and topic

- When the Journal is finished, an image of the index goes into Evernote

- Evertnote will OCR the text. It is quite accurate and I am able to search based on words in my written notes

- It takes about 30-45 mins to do an entire notebook (leaving out the emphereal notes)

2. Reading - Books - kindle:

- Highlight important passages

- at times make kindle notes

- Export the highlights&notes into evernote

3. Reading - Books - physical:

- Module in journal

4. Reading - Research Papers:

- used Mendely but stopped using it. Found out they do not store highlights or notes with actual pdf. Their support is also terrible and was unable to access my notes with out resorting to poking around their data files for several months.

Currently looking for something to highlight, make notes and manage references

- have tested papers, readcube, zotero, highlights and have still not found the right solution

- ideally it should be able to export to Evernote as well. Think highlights is the only app that supports this.

5. Workshops/Brain Storming sessions:

For post-its:

- Pictures with the post-it plus app. Import into evernote

- Whiteboards etc. Picture into evernote

6. Understanding Concepts/knowledge graph

- Use CMAP tools to do concept mapping.

https://cmap.ihmc.us

- right now the concept maps are saved on Dropbox

- Will investigate a script to export the concept map structure and propositions to Evernote as well

- Heard that SMSn is quite good as well. Have not had the time to investigate.

https://github.com/synchrony/smsn/wiki