Use this notebook for something you want to make easier, something you want to create, or a question you want to explore. A small experiment should teach you something even if you decide to stop.
A brief you can use on paper
- What matters to me? Name the task, interest, or situation.
- What will I try? Choose one specific action and a small finish line.
- What am I bringing? Experience, source material, tools, and time already available.
- How will I check it? Describe what a useful result would look like and what needs verification.
- What is my limit? Set a time box and a spending limit. Zero is a valid budget.
- What happened? Record what you tried, the result, time used, and actual cost.
- What comes next? Keep, change, or stop. Say why.
Use the result to make a decision
“It generated something” is an observation. “I used it three times and it helped with this task” gives you more to work with. Notice corrections and maintenance as well as the satisfying parts.
If the experiment was enjoyable but did not save time, record that honestly. Making room for an interest can be worthwhile in its own right.
A clear place to pause
Leave one sentence for your future self: “When I come back, the next action is…” Keep any source material with that note so restarting does not require remembering every detail.
You can fill in the notebook below, download a blank copy, or use these questions in a document of your own. Nothing needs to be emailed to Symon.