I have three Moleskines. One regular sized sketchbook that I use - wait for it - for sketching. I use it for getting my ideas out of my head quickly. Learned this from Mike Rohde. One is a junior ruled journal. From front to back is a journal, just for kathartic/therapeutic purposes. From back to front is where I make notes of chord progressions and melodies and lyrics for a CD I am working on. The third one is a blank slate junior ruled journal waiting for use in a letter sorter on my desk.

HTH.

I use mine (a small lined one) for capture. I draw a line about a half inch from the left margin (got that tip from someone online) and write each item with a little circle next to it, to be checked off when the item is in the system. Everything goes in there, from people's phone numbers, to what I spent with the credit card, to melodies and lyrics, to thoughts about the purpose of my life. During Weekly Review I go through and process it all. I like that it's so compact in my bag with its little elastic band around it, and having the whole notebook to write in makes me feel expansive.

Do Mi

I use my lined Moleskine as a journal. Like, Berko, I use it for a theraputic purpose. I have migrated my capture to a Rollabind. However, the thin paper does not work well at all with my fountain pens. The binding is not that good either. So I will be migrating again to a junior sized circa from Levenger.

I have a two moleskins: I ALWAYS carry the small un-lined one with me. That one I use for two different things: 1) the front is for my stick figures 2) the back is for random information capture (I look it over at the end of the day to be sure I get everything into my regular system)

The stick figure drawings have become my method for keeping a journal... if something "interesting" happens (funny, sad, frustrating, yada yada yada) I make a representative drawing. I use stick figures because its all I can draw. I've found it to be a WONDERFUL outlet for me and a neat way to spend time thinking about that event.

I have the regular sized one as well (its lined) and I only carry it if I can't/ don't want to carry around my lap-top. With out my computer I've found I need more room for information capture and ideas.

Neat post you've started here...can't wait to see what everyone else does!!

I only use my Moleskine as a log. I write down a small snippet about what I do throughout the day. I use the gridded one and one tip I have is to write sideways. That way it's like you have one bigger sized piece of paper that all goes one direction rather than two columns side by side. I find it's easier to write that way too.

I use a small Mead Marble memo book to write actions down. Though I'm going to move to a Rhoda eventually. But I'm also thinking of using half-sized index cards or post its in my Moleskine...

The main reason I don't like the idea of doing tasks in a Moleskine is that you can't get rid of that information when you're done with it. I like the other options I mentioned because I can remove them when they are processed and they are no longer there to distract me nor do I have to flip to wherever I left off.

I use index cards for capturing and for my actions. I jot down random thoughts and incoming to-dos on index cards. I also use index cards for academic notetaking.

So where does that leave the Moleskine? Well, I use the Moleskine primarily for storing reference information and for brainstorming, thinking, drafting, interacting with stuff I've read, etc. Any important reference info for a project I'm working on goes in my pocket Moleskine. (I keep a running index in the back of the book.) Often, when I'm reading something, I'll jot down my impressions of an argument or the book as a whole in the Moleskine (leaving the index cards for more "atomic" notes). And I use the Moleskine to flesh out ideas or even to draft sections of papers I'm working on.

I find that these index cards and the Moleskine complement each other quite nicely. These two portable tools allow me to brainstorm, outline, research, and draft anything I'd like.

Interesting use mdl. I've always wanted to get into the habit of writing down notes as I read - obviously, we can all see the benefit to something like that.

Keeping a running index in the back of the book seems nice, are you numbering the pages I assume?

Thanks guys, you're all giving me ideas for use of my moleskine.

JC

My pocket lined Moleskine is like my ADD-befuddled mind, and I've grown to realize I like it that way.

I first started using it as a capture device in a somewhat logical way. I sat down when I first read GTD and started listing projects that needed to be done in my home and personal life.

Then I flipped to the back and started listing projects that needed to be done in my professional life.

My intention was to work my way toward the middle from both directions, and when I got there -- either get a new moleskine to use exactly the same way, or possibly by then have stumbled across a method I liked better for the next moleskine.

Every time I processed a project, I scratched if out or Xed it out. So it's easy, simple, etc.

Where it changed/evolved as I used it was when I started skipping a page to start on a blank page for some reason, or in a hurry, flipping it open to any blank page to scribble something down. Oddly enough, this practice didn't confuse me or stress me. I began to feel more relaxed and didn't worry about keeping it "in order" though I still scribbled notes, phone numbers, projects, etc. toward the front or back, depending on whether they were personal or professional.

As mess and disorganized as this sounds? It works for me.

HOWEVER -- if I do decide to use a different method in the next moleskine, this is the one I'll use, since it's actually a way to organize disorganization.

http://fgiasson.com/blog/index.php?title=analog_blog_organize_your_moleskine_note&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

I have two Moleskines. One's the kind with your week on the left side and a lined page on the right. I use that for my calendar and for jotting down notes from phone calls that come in throughout the day. The other is a regular lined journal that I use to think things through, write diary entries, and draw pictures. Anything that's not a specific action. Then for actions I use index cards. I can't tell you how much I love my new index card system! I have them with me everywhere, and when I think of something I need to do, I just write it on a card. I love being able to sort them by hand and create a little pile of things I need to do that day. I used to try to keep my to do list in my planner, but it was always changing and being rewritten. I've also just bought a Moleskine with the pockets inside. I'm hoping I can store my index cards in there and have a nice coordinated set of analog tools.

I got one of the new 2007 red pocket weeklies from Moleskine, and it has that days-on-the-left, notes-on-the-right format. I think I'll like that format, and I'm looking forward to the new year so I can start using it. How has it worked out for you?