I think it entirely depends on how often you swap. In the past I have been a serial swapper and absolutely I wasted my time. I was more interested in the apps themselves than the productivity I gained from them (which turned out to be very little 'cause I kept swapping).
I forced myself in 2020 to stick with the apps I was using. To give them at least a six-month chance. Specifically for notes that meant Apple Notes, which I had recently moved to from either evernote, notion, roam, bear, simplenote, or something else entirely (I have at one time used them all I think).
Apple Notes has been great! I have benefited from kicking the habit of swapping and really learning the tool. But now nearly three years on, I have hit some limits that have led me to another look at the note-taking app landscape. Some apps are gone. Some new apps are out there. And some have improved. It's been helpful to me to see what I've built with Apple Notes and see the limitations I've also been under (which is true of all apps).
I like what I see with this version of Evernote. Tables alone (compared to Apple Notes) is a major reason why I think I'm swapping. I will be more productive with my projects if I have more robust table functionality in my notes app. Period, end of story. Plus backlinks and better in-line images and a few other things too. Being patient with Apple Notes allowed me to learn what I need and what I don't. What features matter and what features don't (to me).
So my long-winded point is, serial swapping is what you're referring to. And it's not productive. Agreed. But an occasional re-examination of what's out in the market is healthy and probably wise. Just pause at some point and let your choice work for you until it no longer does.
Thanks for the comment and your time. Agree, I think if your workflow or life changes so that you need different tools to manage it, then swap. As you say, serial swapping is totally unproductive.
Tables are great in Evernote. Try [][][][]x4 to build a 4 x 4 table instantly from your keyboard.
I’ve switched between Evernote and OneNote so many times I can’t count them. I’ve also gone to Notion and back to Evernote. Google keep, then back to Evernote. I went to Apple Notes, then back to Evernote.
Once again, I’m slowly migrating from Evernote to OneNote & OneDrive because I just can’t feel comfortable having everything in one product that’s just been sold to another company (Bending Spoons).
I’m really trying to embrace the basic, simple file system and folder structure because that insulates me from vendor lock-in. If it’s something I’m working on, it goes to OneNote. If it time to archive it, I print to PDF and store it in the file system.
Who knows? Maybe Evernote’s new company will make me feel confident and excited to get back into Evernote!
I do agree however, that switching productivity apps is exhausting and is a waste of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some kind of syndrome attached to it, and maybe even 12 step programs!
The problem with the lock-in scenario is that every app wants to have its own features to attract users so they end up being drawn to their own format of storing data. Even if you export everything as markdown, PDFS or even Word docs its still going to be a monster job moving and organising somewhere else as the new place does it differently. Ive been there😂
Absolutely need a 12 step programme for these apps!
I agree that swapping and changing isn't good for your productivity but I found it interesting that you've ditched your to do app. I use Evernote for notes and Remember the Milk for tasks and have used both for about the same length of time. Because of the integration between the two I find that they can coexist next to each other without too much of an issue. At this later stage I cannot imagine retraining my brain to use Evernote for tasks. Maybe I should take another look but I'm not sure I can get my head around EN task!
It took me a while to get my head round it. All task managers have the task as the main entity and then you add notes to the task. EN has it the other way round, so the Note is the entity that you add the task to. It can get a bit messy without organisation.
I have a Work list and a Personal list where tasks live and then projects also get their own list. I add tasks when I need them.
I'd still like to see the Evernote API updated or a function to add tasks via email as my CRM, Invoice software used to create tasks in RTM for me. I now have a bit of a workaround.
Spent a long time using RTM and Todoist... both great apps.
I think it entirely depends on how often you swap. In the past I have been a serial swapper and absolutely I wasted my time. I was more interested in the apps themselves than the productivity I gained from them (which turned out to be very little 'cause I kept swapping).
I forced myself in 2020 to stick with the apps I was using. To give them at least a six-month chance. Specifically for notes that meant Apple Notes, which I had recently moved to from either evernote, notion, roam, bear, simplenote, or something else entirely (I have at one time used them all I think).
Apple Notes has been great! I have benefited from kicking the habit of swapping and really learning the tool. But now nearly three years on, I have hit some limits that have led me to another look at the note-taking app landscape. Some apps are gone. Some new apps are out there. And some have improved. It's been helpful to me to see what I've built with Apple Notes and see the limitations I've also been under (which is true of all apps).
I like what I see with this version of Evernote. Tables alone (compared to Apple Notes) is a major reason why I think I'm swapping. I will be more productive with my projects if I have more robust table functionality in my notes app. Period, end of story. Plus backlinks and better in-line images and a few other things too. Being patient with Apple Notes allowed me to learn what I need and what I don't. What features matter and what features don't (to me).
So my long-winded point is, serial swapping is what you're referring to. And it's not productive. Agreed. But an occasional re-examination of what's out in the market is healthy and probably wise. Just pause at some point and let your choice work for you until it no longer does.
Thanks for the comment and your time. Agree, I think if your workflow or life changes so that you need different tools to manage it, then swap. As you say, serial swapping is totally unproductive.
Tables are great in Evernote. Try [][][][]x4 to build a 4 x 4 table instantly from your keyboard.
Thanks again for the comment.
I confess 😣 to using for productivity and archiving purposes :
Evernote (since 2008)
Outlook (dropped it)
ToDoist (dropped it)
Amazing Marvin (current to do app)
Dropbox
ReadWise & Readwise Reader (saving online reads)
Pocket (same. Dropped it)
Readdle Calendar
ext.
It's a difficult habit to break when there's so much choice around.
I heard a phrase last week... "The grass is greener where you water it" 😂
I’ve switched between Evernote and OneNote so many times I can’t count them. I’ve also gone to Notion and back to Evernote. Google keep, then back to Evernote. I went to Apple Notes, then back to Evernote.
Once again, I’m slowly migrating from Evernote to OneNote & OneDrive because I just can’t feel comfortable having everything in one product that’s just been sold to another company (Bending Spoons).
I’m really trying to embrace the basic, simple file system and folder structure because that insulates me from vendor lock-in. If it’s something I’m working on, it goes to OneNote. If it time to archive it, I print to PDF and store it in the file system.
Who knows? Maybe Evernote’s new company will make me feel confident and excited to get back into Evernote!
I do agree however, that switching productivity apps is exhausting and is a waste of time. I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some kind of syndrome attached to it, and maybe even 12 step programs!
The problem with the lock-in scenario is that every app wants to have its own features to attract users so they end up being drawn to their own format of storing data. Even if you export everything as markdown, PDFS or even Word docs its still going to be a monster job moving and organising somewhere else as the new place does it differently. Ive been there😂
Absolutely need a 12 step programme for these apps!
I agree that swapping and changing isn't good for your productivity but I found it interesting that you've ditched your to do app. I use Evernote for notes and Remember the Milk for tasks and have used both for about the same length of time. Because of the integration between the two I find that they can coexist next to each other without too much of an issue. At this later stage I cannot imagine retraining my brain to use Evernote for tasks. Maybe I should take another look but I'm not sure I can get my head around EN task!
It took me a while to get my head round it. All task managers have the task as the main entity and then you add notes to the task. EN has it the other way round, so the Note is the entity that you add the task to. It can get a bit messy without organisation.
I have a Work list and a Personal list where tasks live and then projects also get their own list. I add tasks when I need them.
I'd still like to see the Evernote API updated or a function to add tasks via email as my CRM, Invoice software used to create tasks in RTM for me. I now have a bit of a workaround.
Spent a long time using RTM and Todoist... both great apps.