Field Notes / getting started
A calmer digital workspace
Start with the tools you already have.
Choose one place for everyday files
A useful workspace is easy to understand when you return to it tomorrow. Keep current work in a small set of clearly named folders. Separate material you are editing from reference documents, and put finished projects into an archive. The names should explain their purpose without relying on a memory of the day they were created.
Reduce interruptions deliberately
Review which applications can display notifications. Keep the alerts you need for appointments and people, then mute the ones that merely report activity. Set a short time each day to read newsletters and updates. A quieter screen helps you notice the messages that actually matter.
Make the next action visible
Before closing a project, leave a brief note describing the next step. Write down the file you need and the question you were trying to answer. This small habit saves the time otherwise spent reconstructing context and makes it easier to resume work after an interruption.