100 Ways to Use Your Pocket Notebook

By: Brett & Kate McKay

June 4, 2015

I was doing some spring cleaning here at the house and came across a box full of our Art of Manliness Pocket Notebooks. I wanted to off-load them, so I took to Twitter to give them away. (Random giveaways are one of the many reasons you should follow us on Twitter!) I asked our followers what they would write in a set of AoM pocket notebooks, and picked six random tweets after 20 minutes as the winners. I thought we’d get a few entries, but boy howdy, we were flooded with them. Folks had a lot of great and manly ideas on how to put the humble and handy pocket notebook to work.

I know I’m always looking for new ways to a use a pocket notebook and it’s just fun to see how other people do stuff, so I thought it worthwhile to compile the various suggestions our Twitter followers offered. A great mixture of practical, sentimental, and silly ideas. Enjoy!

@artofmanliness Homebrew recipes + notes!!
— The Incomparable (@OverlordDarrell) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness poetry and writing and sermon ideas.
— Devin McGinnis (@DMMcGinnis) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I believe I’m 2 late to the party here but I’d use it to keep track of the various pipe tobaccos I try, quite a manly hobby. — Andy Olcott (@ajolcottaz) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Probably all of my awesome invention ideas! — Evan Robert (@Evan_Robert) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d like to try out the Ben Franklin idea and document daily virtues.
— Steve-O (@steveovsfidel) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would fill the pages with different wood chopping techniques. — cobra (@ChrisSaysThat) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness My To Do Lists and recipes for grilling — Chuck Graves (@ccgraves3) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness exercise logbook — Keith Mitchell (@K_Mitchell) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness late to the party but I’d write the noteable facts from whatever audio book I listen to each day.
— Patrick Mohney (@PMohney) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness write down memories of my children — Joshua Hernandez (@stang6505) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness allusions and quotes from classical literature that help illuminate the many stations of manhood
— Austin Oates (@austindoates) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness track daily debit card transactions. Help control spending — hrdks650 (@hrdks650) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would translate and write out selected Psalms from the Hebrew text to read with my son and daughter before bed.
— Marshall Gallagher (@Marsh_Jeezy) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness are these all given away?? I’d like one in order to write what I’m grateful for each day and people I want to follow up with — Chuck Feerick (@chuckfeerick) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness 10 new ideas daily. Drafts for poetry on-the-go. My schedule. And a section for notes and summaries of books I read.
— Suicide King (@Grottoesque) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness how to get better every day and daily thoughts. — Brandon Payne (@KStated2010) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness quotes that speak to me.
— Israel Ekanem (@IsraelIEkanem) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness thoughts from my first trip out of the country I’m on right now. 5 weeks through 6 countries in Europe. — Alex Eaton (@EatonGood) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness def use it to record my barbell lifts! #thestrongestshallsurvive
— Travis Blomgren (@Blomgren7) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d use it for notes about my weekly planning (e.g. if something worked or didn’t work) — Kevin Linger (@KevinLinger) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’ll write all the thoughts I have during my upcoming Input Deprivation Week!
— Andrew Monnier (@anmonn1) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness notes to my kids for then to read when they’re older #lessonsfromthepast — Gabe Jackson (@basementjax457) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness if write memoirs of my #manly adventures and wise teachings of my #mentors to share with other men
— Alexander Spaulding (@SentinelComm) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness song lyric ideas & content I’m planning for our church — Travis Ham (@travisham) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness random ideas, due outs, and checklists!
— James Welch (@jwwelch76) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I am a scientist studying an aggressive form of breast cancer. I will use it as a journal for discoveries in the lab. — Kyren Lazarus (@bigklicker) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness not so manly stuff that will make my wife happy: grocery lists, errands, etc!
— Marty McCabe (@MartyMcCabe) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness workout routine — Chip Lem (@chippersahoy) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness advice for my children, ideas for sermons, ways to show my wife how valuable she is to me, bible verses for memorization
— Randy Cox (@randythepastor) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d make a cartoon. Funny cartoon. Then I’d film it. With my phone. The same phone where I keep my notes. 😉 — Kristian J. (@Kiki69) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness my adventure with my wife in Ireland
— Nathan Litton (@NLDack) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’be got to jot down jokes for the sketch show I write for. Plus mine is almost done. pic.twitter.com/FVVN1jjdDj — Philip Moon (@Philip_R_Moon) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness probably daily notes or quotes I hear that are worth remembering. The first page would be Jack London’s creed.
— Brenbo Baggins (@Zagamisaurus) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d write plans for furniture. Then I’d build it all with my bare hands…and a few tools. — Adam Whitlock (@adamwhitlock) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness manly travels and manly virtue.
— Adrian Flores (@adrianflores) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Names and history of random people I will help, just because… — Kavalheiros (@kavalheiros) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness thoughts for meditations
— Cam Clark (@camolution) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness likely notes from bible study…and of course daily nuggets from AoM. Keep up the good work. — Jason Parker (@screenwriter74) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would use it daily to trace the story as we start a church in Los Angeles. Nothing more manly than grace and justice
— Jason Wright (@Jason_Wright) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness my angry thoughts. — Alex Stahl (@LethalSax) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness My exploits as a ninja and the day I became a zombie.
— Dustin Alcala (@xPatientZ3R0x) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness enemies list — Walker Lamond (@walkerlamond) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Things I’m grateful for for. Recap of the day. 3 MIT’s. Notes and things I learned that day. Track training.
— CoachT (@HoffpauirTj) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness pocket notebooks, real good for to-do lists, agendas, quotes from books/movies/comics ya know inspirational stuff. — Colin Walsh (@piercednotdead) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness probably some work to do lists. One for notes to my future son/daughter due in October.
— Jake Lang (@jake_lang) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’m always on the move and never at my desk. My good ideas always come to me at the wrong time. Time to right them down. — Jeremy Howard (@JeremyHoward11) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I like to use them for everything! ToDo Lists, measurement notes for projects, addresses, phone numbers…the list goes on
— Jimi Eves (@jimieves4) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness predictions for Game of Thrones, haiku, flowcharts for online accounts, and notes about people I meet to aid memory. — . (@_cave) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d write lessons of manliness learned in the bush of Madagascar. #snydersinmada
— Chandler Snyder (@CMSnyder) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness electronic repairs list and code ideas for programs — Evan Mitchell (@EMitchell_IU) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness My script ideas, random musings, better ways to improve myself, and how to improve the Muppets. (it’s impossible)
— awesometheo (@awesometheo) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I always have thoughts of tasks I need to complete. I never have a place to write them down. A notebook will help store them — Jeremy Lloyd Conlin (@jlconlin) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’ll write down the journal entries during my trip down the Grand Canyon that I leave for on the 21st #adventure
— Max Kinser (@max_kinser) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d write ideas in achieving financial independence early, plans for long term travel w/ family, and other manly pursuits. — David Perez (@gwdavep) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Ideas that hit as you go to sleep. Kept on a nightstand, a man can keep thoughts that might be otherwise lost the next day.
— Rodx (@korrupt_d) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness My own kind of Proverbs for my son, then give it to him when he’s of age. Heck, I should do that either way! — Regis S (@RASaxton) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would use one as a diary, to help plan my day, take notes on your articles, jot down music ideas pretty much everything
— Greg Lindsey (@Greg72262) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness that journal I’ve been meaning to start… — AndyAndyAndyAndy (@Sufferes) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Things that I want to remember to do with my 2 1/2 year old son as he gets older.
— Chris Maka (@cmaka) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d write down everything from diagrams to grilling tips to hardware store lists! — Jaymes G (@jagallien) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d probably put any random thoughts and inquiries that come to me as I go about my day. Stuff I can look into later.
— Connor Laitinen (@ConLaitinen) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness my budget — Chris Thompson (@cthompson01) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness daily, weekly, monthly, yearly and lifetime goals. If it’s written down it’s hard to forget
— StayinSturty (@Sturtyt) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness daily journal and todo list — Wes Shipley (@wes_shipley) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would write about my love for tacos.
— markantpacheco (@markantpacheco) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness. I’d use it to write my “to-do” from my sunday brainstorming sessions. Another great tip for a productive life from AoM.:-D — Chad LaKing (@ThePoorBarber) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d use that notebook to write the lessons I’ve learned as a parent, then pass it on when the time is right.
— Fred Reid (@frederickwreid) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would write notes for my federal tax income class. — IAM4⃣th (@IVS31) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’m weird and would use it for all my lists… To-do’s, projects, groceries… I’m old school- pen and paper> smart phone
— Dane Hager (@daneo233) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d use it to create workout plans, jot down motivational phrases that I find, recipes, sketches, adventures and MORE! — JD Conley (@ItsReallyJayDee) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Little, funny moments in my kids’ lives that I never want to forget.
— Matthew J. Welch (@mattwelchphd) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness quotes, poems, ideas for blog posts, passing thoughts, people I meet. — Ross Moore (@rossamoore) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Scotch notes, love letters for my lil girl, ideas on how to be more manly, my wife’s honey do list so I don’t forget…
— Jordan Fithian (@JKFithian44)May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness the outline and random ideas I have to further the novels I’m writing and plan to write. — Loren C (@LorenSethC) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would start journaling, and probably have a running bucket list.
— Conrad (@seemoney09) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d write about all the things my two young daughters need to know about their dad before they were born — Lars █████ (@LarryCyprus) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Vocab. Names. Places. I’m in language school in #southeastasia and field notes are crucial…
— J n R G (@txinsea) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Currently planning 100 things to do/achieve before I’m 30. Notebook would be great for planning/tracking some of them! — Simon Farrell (@SFarrell_5) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I use them to write date/gift ideas for my wife. I also write random things I want to do with my sons when they get older.
— Jared Johnson (@jaredjohnson41) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d fill it with story ideas, sketches, and random notes. — Tim Lewis (@timlewis) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Daily goings-on, inspirational quotes and such, weekly/monthly planning.
— Aaron J. Baylis (@aaronjbaylis) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness keeping track of my diet and exercise routines! — Jacob Trevino (@trevinOHH) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’ve been needing something to write down new beer recipes in! Perfect fit!
— Joshua Kaul (@JoshKaul) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Quotes from my 3-year old son. — Matt Raymond (@mattraymond) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness poetry
— Jordy (@totheRUSScue) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I keep a pocket notebook for my to do list & ideas for projects, lots of brain storming in my notebooks — Big C (@BigCPDX) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d use them for keeping a journal.
— Matt Owens ب (@matt_owens5) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness daily todos, story ideas, projects and materials lists. Randomized ramblings. I always have a pen/notebook on me — Jesse Miller  (@jrobfm) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Random jots to sermon notes
— Anthony Gonzalez (@whereisanthony) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness my Divinci like ideas and inventions. And of course my “honey-do list” — Lazer (@lazerlightshow) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d use them for a daily journal, fishing journal and to keep track of all the abbreviations used in my job at a nuke plant.
— Drew Shadrick (@Drew_Shadrick) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I’d write sermon notes in one or two of them, write inspirational quotes that I find in one, and use the rest for journaling — Jonathan Mooney (@moonejon) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness The ephemeral thoughts that come with a new baby and a life of the mind.
— Evan Barker (@BarkTwain) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness Thoughts and analysis about my country and its politics. — Hassan (@c_ha93) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would plan my future in that notebook.
— Andrew Henry Robb (@AndySteals) May 28, 2015

@artofmanliness I would write in them all of my fun ideas to get people out to the ballpark to watch baseball. — Night Train Veeck (@VeeckAsInWreck) May 28, 2015