7 Must-Have Notebooks in Evernote

Evernote can be a powerhouse for storing all kinds of important information. The trick is that you have to trust the system and commit to using it full-time.

7 Must-Have Notebooks in Evernote

Photo Credit: othree

Over the years I have switched back and forth a dozen times between various online storage tools. Now, I use only three services to house 99% of everything I need: Nozbe for task and project management, Google Drive for traditional file storage and spreadsheets, and Evernote for capturing and organizing everything else.

By the way, I discussed my triple threat of productivity (referring to these three tools) back in episode #14 of the podcast.

Why I Love Evernote

I started using Evernote in 2008 and then quickly gave it up because it was a blank slate and I didn’t know what to do with it. A year later I read an article and was inspired to try it again, this time with a plan.

Today, I have hundreds of notes inside a few dozen notebooks that organize nearly every scrap of critical data in my life.

Evernote has become my go-to system for storing articles I want to read later, organizing the big picture of my annual goals and projects, and keeping track of all important data that I want easy access to at a later date.

Once I figured out how to organize my information efficiently, I realized the power of the Evernote system and how I could manage and track just about everything.

Top 7 Notebooks in Evernote

These 7 must-have notebooks in Evernote are the building blocks I use to organize my important information. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Evernote has an unlimited capacity to store just about anything, so feel free to expand this list indefinitely.

1. Big Picture Planning

I’m a pretty ambitious guy, so I have lots of ideas, plans, and dreams about the future. I used to store these ideas on scraps of paper and then toss them out. Now, I keep a notebook in Evernote called “2014 Project Manager” that includes a list of my biggest projects for the year, my daily rituals, and ideas for future projects to work on in the years to come.

2. Brainstorming Sessions

No matter what line of work you are in, or what goals current have, nearly every new idea requires a brainstorming session to get your creative juices flowing. I record my notes from my brainstorms into a new note in my “Brainstorming” notebook. Soon after, I transfer any tasks to Nozbe (my task manager) and copy other important ideas to the relevant project notebook in Evernote.

3. Articles to Read Later

As a part of my weekly review process, I read all of the newsletters and articles I’ve captured throughout the previous seven days. I have a notebook called “Stimulus Queue” where all of my new articles are sent to. I use the Evernote Web Clipper in Chrome to quickly transfer articles into Evernote so I can read them later.

I also subscribe to newsletters with my Evernote email address (which you can find in your Evernote Account Settings) so all of my newsletters are automatically sent to my default notebook in Evernote, which happens to be the Stimulus Queue.

4. Meeting Notes

I don’t often attend meetings, but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis. Oh wait, I mean I always use Evernote to take notes. Even in off-line mode you can easily take meeting notes in Evernote on your iPad, synchronize the data when you get into a Wi-Fi zone, and then process the new information later.

Just be sure to create a reminder in your task management system to process all of your notes, identify important tasks, and disregard everything else. Taking notes doesn’t mean much if you don’t read them later (I know this from years of wasted note-taking).

5. Past Accomplishments

One of the first notebooks I created in Evernote was a list of my biggest accomplishments in the last year. I wanted a place to remember all of the things I did well so I could review the list and remind myself that I was still on track to be a high-achiever (yes, even ambitious guys like me frequently suffer from self-doubt).

I recommend you create a new note for each year of your life going back as far as you can remember. Record all of the great things you accomplished, trips you went on, new experiences that changed your life, or any other major personal victory. You’ll be surprised how a list like this can boost your self-esteem and provide some needed perspective to set new goals for the future.

6. Templates

I frequently receive emails from different people that look and sound identical. So, I created a notebook with email templates and I use them as frameworks to design each response.

This same technique can work with writing a new blog post, starting a new project, or with any other repetitive task where a template can save you time and mental energy from trying to re-invent the wheel.

7.Personal Records

I have notes that keep track of important data that I only look at once a year: medical records, addresses of places I’ve lived, work histories with names of my previous employers, and even important financial and tax information.

This process requires a bit of trust with the Evernote system. Recording personal data somewhere online is essential and I have a combination of data stored between Evernote, Google Drive, and on my personal computer that is backed up online with CrashPlan. In other words, this data will likely never disappear and I can access it easily.

Which Notebooks Do You Use the Most?

What are your go-to notebooks in Evernote?

– jeff sanders

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Audio Rights: The 5 AM Miracle Podcast uses various royalty free songs and music tracks. Access the full list, including licenses on my Audio Rights page.

Podcast Advertising Privacy Policies: ART19RedCircle

Hey, I’m Jeff Sanders!

Jeff Sanders

I am the founder and CEO of 5 AM Miracle Media, LLC. I’m also a productivity junkie, plant-based marathon runner, and personal development fanatic. I also eat a crazy number of bananas. 😉

To help spread the amazing message of waking up early to dominate your day before breakfast, I am a keynote speaker, productivity coach, author of The 5 AM Miracle, The Free-Time Formula, and founder of The Rockin’ Productivity Academy.

I also host The 5 AM Miracle Podcast, which has ranked #1 in Apple Podcasts in the Self-Improvement and Business categories, been nominated for 7 Podcast Awards, and exceeded 14 million downloads.

I consistently share new and fascinating content about healthy habits, personal development, and rockin’ productivity. Every week you can find me writing and speaking at JeffSanders.com.

Get free gifts and updates in The 5 AM Club. Visit the About page to learn more.

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders
The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders

Designed for High-Achievers

The 5 AM Miracle is a podcast dedicated to dominating your day before breakfast.

With more than 14 million downloads, 7 award nominations, and 500+ episodes, there is plenty of content to explore and enjoy!

14 million downloads? Yeah, for real. 😉

My goal is to help you bounce out of bed with enthusiasm, create powerful lifelong habits, and tackle your grandest goals with extraordinary energy.

The core topics include early mornings, healthy habits, personal development, and rockin’ productivity!

5 AM Miracle Premium

5 AM Miracle Premium
5 AM Miracle Premium

5 AM Miracle Premium takes The 5 AM Miracle Podcast to a whole new level, offering the ultimate experience to dominate your day before breakfast!

The Premium Experience:

Exclusive bonus episodes
Early access to new episodes
100% Ad-free listening
Exclusive access to the entire back catalog
Higher-Quality Audio*

$7.99/month or $39.99/year

Recent Podcast Episodes

Must-Have Notebooks in Evernote

Tremendous Checklists & Reviews

#596: Sept 29, 2025

Must-Have Notebooks in Evernote

Behind the Scenes of My YouTube Channel [Premium]

#595x: Sept 26, 2025

Must-Have Notebooks in Evernote

If You Are Too Busy to Workout, You Are Too Busy! [BEST OF]

#595a: Sept 25, 2025

Sponsor the Show

Sponsor The 5 AM Miracle Podcast

Sponsor The 5 AM Miracle Podcast

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders
The 5 AM Miracle Podcast with Jeff Sanders

The 5 AM Miracle, hosted by Jeff Sanders, is a popular personal growth podcast dedicated to helping listeners dominate their day before breakfast every Monday morning!

By the Numbers:
7 award nominations
14+ million total downloads
65,000+ dynamic mid-roll ad impressions per month
500+ Weekly Episodes for 12+ years
#2 Hottest Productivity Podcast by Inc. Magazine

My Podcast Studio + Gear

The 5 AM Miracle Podcast Studio with Jeff Sanders

Check out my home studio in Nashville, TN where I record The 5 AM Miracle. Plus, see the full list of hardware, software, and online tools that I use to produce the show.

The 5 AM Miracle Shortcast

Blinkist Shortcast

7-Day Free Trial

The 5 AM Miracle Book

The 5 AM Miracle book by Jeff Sanders

The 5 AM Miracle is a resource guide for high achievers.

It is for anyone who has a wild passion for life and is in search of a step-by-step system that will hone those passions, clarify their big goals, and produce real, amazing results.

Over 15,000 Copies Sold!

Waking up early is optional, and you will learn how to master your time — no matter when you wake up!

Dominate Your Day!

Grab Your Free List of My Top 10 Productivity Tools

Sign up for The 5 AM Club to get my list of the Top 10 Productivity Tools + receive weekly email updates about early mornings, healthy habits, and rockin’ productivity!

Zero spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

*This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Grab Your Free List of My Top 10 Productivity Tools

Zero spam. Unsubscribe anytime.

Sign up for The 5 AM Club to get my list of the Top 10 Productivity Tools + receive weekly email updates about early mornings, healthy habits, and rockin’ productivity!

*This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.