The benefits of keeping a "how to" folder
I have forgotten where I have read this about keeping a “how to” folder for everything. Even the simplest jobs. Especially the simplest job. From then on, I have always write down every “how to” for new things I have learn.
What is a “how to” file?
It is basically a set of instructions to tell yourself how to do a job, task or project you have just done or learnt. Why do you need to write it down? Have you encountered times when you know you have done this modifications before, yet cannot seem to remember how to do it now? Well, that’s the usefulness of “how to” files.
A few examples will be:
- How to use keyboard shortcuts in Google reader?
- How to add adsense code into you blog template?
- How to find use google alert to find new topics for blogging?
- How to add a rss button to the redoable wordpress theme?
The key is to be specific. Look at the difference between
How to make a favicon?
and
How to use degraeve.com to design a favicon?
What’s the difference?
In the first example, you may write general instructions to make a favicon. But the second example will have a set of instructions specific to degraeve.com app to design a favicon. So the next time, you can follow the instructions and head straight to the source. This way, you can save time and start immediately.
You can also apply this to you everyday task, like “How to pack a child’s suitcase?”
Write it down and update when you have better ways of doing things. Soon you will have the instruction manual of your life.
(sidenote) Buckets and Chunks: An Exercise in Writing Everything Down by Ryan Imel shows how this concept can be used in your blogging.
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