A note-taking habit is built by the environment, not by willpower

Human willpower is limited. It can supposedly be trained like a muscle, but it is far more efficient to spend that time reducing the load on the brain instead of trying to grow willpower.

Ego depletion: a temporary reduction in the self’s capacity or willingness to engage in volitional action, caused by prior exercise of volition. — Sönke Ahrens, How to Take Smart Notes

The best approach is to minimize what the brain has to decide. Follow a set pattern for when, where, and what you do. The same routine.

How I apply it:

• Install Obsidian on mobile and set up Sync so I can take notes anytime, anywhere.
• Always save development insights as permanent notes.

Related: Follow the eight steps in order — “always take notes” is realized not by willpower but by an environment that supports it. Related: Structure beats training — the same principle at the organizational level. Guardrails (environment) come before training (willpower).