Using Docs as your daily log

Last time we talked about Roam Research and why it might not be a best fit when you work with confidential information - unfortunately, because it is brilliant and I really hope (and think) that team wins big.

That said, one of the immediate use cases that clicked with me was creating a diary - where I would annotate things as they happen during the day. Hear me out - I think it can be tremendously valuable, and I think Google Docs is just the right tool for it.

Getting our hands dirty, with infinite pages and without wasting trees or plastic pens.

What we are trying to do

We will set up a Google Docs, just for yourself, that you can keep open all day (perhaps pinned to Chrome!). That document will have a page for every day, where you can annotate things that are important. You can write as much as you need, insert links and people chips. It will also have templates for re-use.

If it fits your working style, you can prepare that page in advance or write it as you go, review the content or not.

Shortcuts for ⚡ logging

CTRL+ALT+1: Heading 1
CTRL+Shift+8: Bulleted list
Shift+Enter: Insert line break without bullet
CTRL+Enter: Insert page break
CTRL+K: Insert link
Tab, Shift+Tab: Indent, unindent

The log in all its glory. Let's get to work!

Setting it up

You can either copy my template, or:

Create a new Docs (type docs.new in Chrome). Star it (1) and make it available for offline use (under File) in case disaster strikes (2).
Format it nicely. I only use Heading 1 and normal text (3).
Start with the current day as Heading 1, then insert a bullet point and go! That is basically it. Google Docs is not good at formatting bullet points, so better leave that alone.

Google Docs looks best in print layout, showing the outline on the left-hand side and hide the ruler. You can find these commands under View.

Using it

Start with the current day as Heading 1, then insert a bullet point and go! (4)
Insert links when you have them - for agendas, for example. This will allow you to take notes, thoughts, action items only for yourself (5).
If you do not have a formal agenda, take minutes for yourself if you like. Insert links whenever it's practical (CTRL+K). (6)
Docs can now insert "people chips" by typing +Holger, for example. This looks nice and will allow you to easily start Chats, Meets or email the person. (7)
You can create and assign tasks using comments.
If you like, insert a "Templates" header on the last page, containing bullet points that you copy-paste often. Meeting minutes templates, goal setting templates etc. come to mind. Search the web for "bullet journaling" for more inspiration, too.
Tomorrow, insert a page break and start over with a clean sheet.

Power tips

Intensely using Docs like this will make you a power user in no time - you will be giving me tips. They are intended to wet your appetite to give the concept a try.

Multitasking

Docs can multitask like no other editor:

Document previews (1) show you thumb nails and information for the linked file, without having to open it.
Floating windows (2) are accessed by clicking "Open preview" on a document preview. You can even scroll through linked pages and copy from them, without fully opening them in new tabs.
People chips (3) are created by @mentioning people in the middle of your document. Hovering your mouse over the chips lets you Chat, Meet and email them quickly. They also make your document look great.
Links to places inside your document (to your template section, or sections where you keep info about people or projects) can be inserted by CTRL+K (or insert link). You can also link to bookmarks inside your document.

Witness the awesome power of Google Docs. Everything without its main ingredient - other people. If you were to do this with other people, you get the world's best meeting minutes. Everything networked and integrated, your team on one page and ahead of everybody else. That's why we are a Google Workspace shop. Thank you for reading!

#docsPublished 2021-01-21 by Holger Matthies.Modified 2021-01-21 by Holger Matthies.

Page updated

Report abuse