I use things daily to make my life easier, help me get things done more efficiently, or maybe make me happy. I’m a digital guy and a fan of excellent paper and pens.
I’m also an outlier for the educator class because…
Flair pens are trash. They really are. Like, quantifiably bad. They bleed, they dry out too fast, they flatten… they’re just trash.
Anyways…
I use everything listed here almost daily. I love them, and if you think my opinion is worth anything, you might love them, too. You might also be inspired to find the right tools to bring you joy and greater productivity.
Many of the links you see here are affiliate links, so if you click through and buy something, I get a small referral fee.
Writing Tools
G2 Pens—For everyday usage, there’s nothing better for me than a good old Pilot G2. They never let me down. While I have a couple of fountain pens I journal with, the G2 is my daily driver.
UPDATE – 3 SEP 2025: You know how you have a favorite pen, but then someone decides to make something newer and better? Enter the Uniball Zento. OMG. It’s amazing. SO amazing. And also almost always out of stock. I have exactly one right now.
Highlighters—My highlighters are never far away, whether I’m marking up a research article or a book. But I am a writing tool snob, so I dig the velvety, smooth, bleed-resistant Zebra midliners.
Pencils—I use Blackwings to scribble in my books (yes, it’s a thing, and no, you won’t go to hell for doing it). If I need a pencil for anything else, say, doing some math, it’s the Pentel Twist-Erase. And as a former math teacher, you always need a Click-Erase eraser.
Other writing tools – I keep a COPIC multiliner in my daily planner and my 5-year journal. I also have a couple of Lamy Safari fountain pens and one from Twisbi, too, just to keep my cool factor high. (The Twisbi is super cool because you can watch the ink flow into the tank when filling)
Notes
Notecards—Ryan Holiday taught me about notecards as a productivity tool. They are the biggest part of my Zettelkasten and have been invaluable as I work through my dissertation. 4×6-inch notecards–ruled, of course–are the sweet spot for me. They are one of my most invaluable tools.
UPDATE: Since I first published this, I’ve moved most of my storage to Notion, but I still use notecards as a first-line note-taking tool. They’re convenient, cheap, and help restrict my thoughts to just one card.
Card box—I keep all my notecards in this box. It’s pretty sturdy and useful. Of course, my dream would be to get an old library card catalog…
Notebooks
Notepads—I’m a paper snob. Mostly because I have a severe sensory issue with rough textures. The feeling of rough paper or rough wood gives me the jibblies. There are no wooden spoons in our house. I wrap the popsicle stick with the wrapper so I can eat the popsicle.
I don’t use cheap paper in my printer. I use HP Premium 28 lb. Bright White paper.
My notepad can’t be rough. After many trials, I fell in love with Rhodia’s Premium R Pads. I use them for writing all sorts of things. These beauties are smooth, work well with any pen, and have a sturdy backboard. Win, win, win.
Notebook – With all my other writing tools, the only notebook I use regularly is the Rhodia Meeting Book. If I’m talking with you or we’re in a meeting together, you’ll see this in use.
Journals—For years, I was a Moleskine man. I filled my fair share of those great notebooks. Then, the quality declined, and I switched to the Leuchtturm1917 120G. Smooth paper. Excellent with any ink. Little to no bleed-through. And each page has a date area. Why is that important? Because stamping.
Five-Year Journal—I use a Hobonichi five-year journal to write a daily quote and answer a short journal prompt.
Pocket notebook—Always carry a notebook with you. You never know when you’ll have an idea or need to make a to-do list. I keep a Field Notes notebook in my backpack or my back pocket.
Planner—I use a Hobonichi Techo A6 Daily Planner to log my activities daily.
Date stamp—I stole this idea from Austin Kleon. There is something satisfying about stamping the date on something. A sense of permanence, of finality. Like, I’m recording something for posterity. I’m likely not, but I get that feeling. That “ca-chunk” of the stamp seals the deal.
Flags—These are right there whenever I read a physical book, paper, etc. I mark things I want to remember as I’m reading, but I don’t stop to take notes. That part comes later. These sticky flags help me know where I found good stuff so I can return to it after I finish reading. It helps me process what I read.
Pencil sharpener—I have this electric sharpener. Nothing else will do.
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