If you’ve ever found yourself overwhelmed by a dozen different productivity apps, or just in need of a single spot to store all your big ideas, then Notion is something you should definitely know about. Let’s get to it.
What is Notion?
Notion is a powerful workspace tool that brings together a range of features, including documents, databases, and rich formatting, all in one place.
You can use it for basic text tasks or as a full project management system, whatever you want. The app’s power lies in its flexibility and comprehensive feature set.
Popular Features Within Notion
Notion supports these and many more. It should support pretty much anything you can use to create and organize information.
Rich Text Features
It’s quite easy to create documents in Notion, as it supports many keyboard shortcuts, Markdown, and slash commands. This makes it a favorite app for text-related tasks, where you’ll need to dig into the formatting.
Templates
One of the key features of Notion is its customizable templates. This can save significant work, especially if you apply it to your databases. Instead of starting every document over or duplicating work, you can use an easily editable template to meet your needs.
Databases
This isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Imagine an Excel sheet, but better. You can link multiple databases, filter information easily, and switch views to organize it in different ways without disrupting collaborators. These databases are relational as well, which makes updating them easier because they can reference the same data across your space.
Database Views
Each database can be viewed in multiple ways. You can view it simply, as a list if you prefer a straightforward approach, or organize it in a kanban board like Trello. This creates many ways to organize information and provides great flexibility.
Best Practices for Notion
We’ll keep tabs on the basics for you so you can get the most out of the app.
- Start Simple: You don’t need to use every tool Notion offers from day one. Start with what you need, get comfortable, and then explore more functionalities.
- Use Icons and Covers: Visual aids aren’t just pretty; they make navigation easier. Assign icons to different pages or use covers to differentiate sections. These will help you find information more quickly and effectively.
- Link Between Pages: One of Notion’s strengths is how easily everything can be linked. If you reference a project on one page, link it! Pages can have an infinite number of subpages, so feel free to document everything and create your own Wiki of information.
- Regularly Review and Update: Your and your team’s needs will evolve. Regularly review your Notion setup to ensure it continues to serve its purpose effectively.
Bottom Line
Notion is a versatile tool that consolidates various productivity tasks into one space. It’s a game-changer where staying organized and efficient is key. The platform shines when tailored to users’ needs, so always keep the user experience at the forefront of your setup. Dive in, start simple, and let Notion evolve with your needs.
