Personal notes
Keep notes that help the person who will read them later
A useful note preserves context, not just the final fragment of an idea.
Write the reason first
A title such as "ideas" becomes difficult to search and difficult to trust. Begin with the question, decision, or situation that made the note necessary. One sentence of context can save several minutes of reconstruction when the note appears again months later.
Separate facts from possibilities
Record what is known, what is assumed, and what still needs to be checked. This distinction is especially helpful in project notes, where an early guess can otherwise harden into a false memory. Simple labels are enough; the system does not need to become elaborate.
End with the next useful action
If the note belongs to active work, add the smallest next step and any date that truly matters. If no action is needed, say so. Clear endings prevent reference material from quietly turning into an endless task list.