Over the years, I’ve used many different notebooks and sketchbooks: Moleskine, Fabriano, Rhodia, Evernote, Moo, Daler-Rowney. Different styles from each.

Which one is best? Here’s the answer: the one I use most.

Styles and preferences change over time. The constant, however, is the practice. Taking notes. Recording thoughts. Capturing ideas. Marking. Drawing. Creating.

However you do it, and whatever tools you use, the value is in the doing. Whether you choose lines, grids, dots, or an open field … whether it’s case-bound, saddle-stitched, spiral or digital … the important part is that you’re actually using the tool.

A blank notebook on the shelf is just a decoration … no matter how much potential its pages hold.