Hey there,
This morning, I found a note that simply said: "Remember the airport thing!"
No context. No details. Just four useless words.
Another note had a half-baked productivity tip that must have sounded profound at 2 AM but made zero sense in daylight.
That’s when it hit me: Most of my notes were disposable. Useful once, then forgotten forever.
But a few, they’re different. Months later, they still made sense. They sparked new ideas. They helped me think better.
Those were my first evergreen notes, the ideas that stayed fresh and useful long after I wrote them.
What Makes a Note Evergreen?
Think of your notes like trees:
Seasonal notes are like cherry blossoms—fleeting and forgettable (meeting notes, random thoughts, half-finished ideas).
Evergreen notes are like oak trees—strong, growing over time, and always useful.
An evergreen note is one that:
- Explains One Thing Clearly
Weak: “Good writing tips here.”
Evergreen: “3 ways to simplify complex topics (with examples).”
- Connects to Other Ideas
Like a Wikipedia page, it naturally links to related concepts.
For example, my note on How Stories Stick now ties to marketing, psychology, and even my podcast scripts.
- Can Be Used in Multiple Contexts
I’ve repurposed my note on Why Simplicity Wins in client emails, a blog post, and a team workshop.
Example: From Forgettable to Evergreen
Original Note (Forgettable):
"Ideas from book about creativity."
Evergreen Version:
Title: The 3-Step Process for Unlocking Creativity (Inspired by ‘The Creative Act’)
Key Idea: Rick Rubin’s approach to creativity is about removing noise, embracing stillness, and following curiosity.
Remove noise: Creativity thrives in empty space. Cut distractions.
Embrace stillness: Insights emerge when you’re not actively searching.
Follow curiosity: Don’t force ideas—let them unfold naturally.
Related Notes: Flow State | Deep Work | How Constraints Spark Creativity
How to Grow Your Own Evergreen Notes
Start Small: Pick one note this week. Ask: “Will this make sense to Future Me in a year?”
Prune Ruthlessly: If it’s vague, rewrite it. If it’s cluttered, simplify it.
Plant Seeds Everywhere: When you find a timeless idea, give it a home in your notes and link it to other relevant ideas.
Evergreen notes transformed my system from a graveyard of forgotten thoughts into a living library of lasting ideas.
Now, even my “airport thing” note has context (turns out, it was about how travel sparks creativity, definitely worth keeping!).
Your Turn
Open your notes. Find one idea worth preserving. Rewrite it like you’re explaining it to a friend.
Until next time,
Gav
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P.S. Have you ever stumbled on an old note that’s still surprisingly useful? Hit reply—I’d love to hear about it!
📩 Next week: Your Personal Knowledge Compass—How to Navigate Complexity.
