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That overwhelming feeling of staring at a blank screen? It's a myth we've all bought into. The truth is, if you've been taking notes—even casually—you're rarely starting from zero. Before you open a new browser tab or head to the library, check your own notes first. Like cooking from the pantry before going shopping, you can often assemble a solid first draft by gathering what's already on your shelves.
Why Your Notes Are Already Your Foundation
Think of your note system like a well-stocked pantry. Each note is a labelled ingredient: a clear idea, in your own words, that can be used in many different projects. When a new assignment pops up, you don't need to panic. Instead, search your notes for the main terms, pull the relevant 'ingredients' onto a temporary workspace, and watch the outline start to appear on its own.
Your past self has already done the hard work of capturing ideas, quotes, and explanations. Now it's time to let that material guide your next step.
Search Your Notes for Keywords and Questions
Start by typing in the main keywords related to your project. What concepts are you exploring? What questions are you trying to answer? As you search, you'll be surprised by how many relevant notes pop up—ideas you'd forgotten you even had.
- Cast a wide net at first; don't worry about perfection.
- Look for notes that connect to your project's central theme.
- Keep a separate list or workspace where you can gather these 'ingredients' together.
Group Related Ideas Together
Once you've pulled a handful of notes, start grouping them by theme or concept. Which notes talk about similar ideas? Which ones seem to build on each other? This is where the magic happens: your notes begin to organise themselves into clusters that naturally form the sections of your project.
You're not hunting for perfection at this stage—just enough to see what's already strong and what might be missing.
Arrange Your Notes into a Rough Order
Now take those groups and put them in a rough sequence that makes sense. What should come first? What naturally follows? This becomes your outline, but unlike a traditional top-down plan, this one is grounded in the material you've already captured. It's a bottom-up approach: you're building from what you have, not forcing ideas into a rigid structure.
Rearrange freely. Move groups around. See what flows. Your outline will start to feel solid because it's rooted in real ideas, not abstract headings.
Add New Sources Only After Mining What You Have
Here's the surprise: your own notes are often 60% of the project already. Only after you've used what you have should you look for new sources to fill the gaps. This keeps you focused, saves time, and makes your writing feel grounded and authentic.
By starting with your notes, you're not just avoiding the blank page—you're building on a foundation you've already created.
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