I have tried many times over the years to use a journal or notebook. It has never felt like anything more than a waste of time, and I gave it genuine, honest tries. It's just a lot easier for me to simply remember what I want to remember in the first place, and if I'm hashing out an idea, I can refine ideas mentally more rapidly than if I involve the written word.

My father, on the other hand, was a fastidious note-taker his entire life. His books are brimming with marginalia, and he was never without a notepad within easy reach at home.

His note-taking vs. my not didn't seem to make any difference in terms of the quality and nature of our ideas; we just used different means to get there.

I will say that now that he is gone, it leaves me with a wistful, warm feeling to be able to look through he more favored tomes and follow along with his thoughts.