Why you must start documented everything

You’re here because you’re looking for a way to move forward in you life. Writing helps you organize your thoughts, learn from the past, and reshape your present.

Try to create a plan before turn on your computer 🖥️

In today’s fast-paced world, being a software developer is so much more than just writing code and building cool features. Sure, those tasks are exciting, but they come with a long list of other responsibilities — meetings, project deadlines, day-end reports, and the endless to-dos from both work and home. If you’re anything like me, this can quickly become overwhelming, leading to missed deadlines and a constant feeling of chaos. That’s where the power of writing comes in.

Right now, you might be wasting time just thinking without getting anything done. You probably have a lot of ideas in your head, but you need to start with the one that’s most important and easy to complete.

I know what you’re thinking: “I don’t have time to write everything down!” But trust me, the act of documenting doesn’t need to be a formal, time-consuming process. It’s not about creating something that must be understood by everyone — it’s about creating something that makes sense to you, something you can refer back to later when you need to make sense of all the noise in your head.

Above is a screenshot of my task list. I add new task in list henever something comes to mind.

The great thing is that you can document anything. And I mean anything that will help you stay organised and clear-minded:

• Meeting notes: No more sifting through emails trying to recall what was discussed.
• Project plans: Stay on top of your deadlines and objectives.
• Process documentation: Because every solution deserves a repeatable system.
• Knowledge base articles: Share your expertise with the team — or even with yourself for future reference.
• Personal notes: Jot down those ideas and thoughts before they slip away.

Now, let me take a step back and share why it’s so important to start documenting most of the things you do (though not everything — I’ll get to that). When I first started documenting, I didn’t realize how much of a difference it would make. But here’s what I’ve learned:

My https://excalidraw.com/ workspace (This image is blurred intentionally)

1. Sorting Out Tasks You’re About to Perform

Writing things down helps bring clarity. When you have a project or a meeting coming up, write down your tasks. When I started writing down my to-dos for the day, I was surprised by how much I’d forgotten and how much mental space I freed up. No more having to remember every little detail. It’s all there in front of you.

2. Improved Efficiency and Productivity

When you document, you’re essentially building a roadmap for your tasks. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone back to my notes during a busy week to remind myself of a process or a piece of information I had forgotten. It’s like having a personal assistant, but better — you’re in control.

3. Reduced Stress and Better Work-Life Balance

This is something that hit me hard. As developers, we often get caught in the cycle of long hours and constant work. Documenting my tasks, meetings, and goals has significantly reduced the stress of trying to remember every detail. It has helped me prioritize and break down tasks in a manageable way. And when work is more organized, life outside of work becomes easier. No more late-night stress about forgotten tasks. When everything is written down, your mind has room to breathe.

4. Better Decision Making

When I began documenting, I found that it became easier to make decisions. I had a record of past actions, successful processes, and even mistakes. I could go back, analyze the data I had collected, and make informed decisions based on past experiences. That historical context is invaluable for smarter decisions in the future.

5. Enhanced Collaboration and Communication

Documentation is a powerful tool for collaboration. When I share meeting notes, project plans, and knowledge base articles with my team, we’re all on the same page. No more relying on scattered email threads or trying to remember what was discussed. By documenting, you create a resource that is accessible to everyone, making it easier to communicate ideas and expectations clearly.

My medium WorkSpace (I try to post article on every monday)

Tips for Effective Documentation

Here’s the thing — there are no universal tips for documentation. What works for me may not work for you, and vice versa. But the best advice I can give is: just start writing. You’ll soon realize the type of documentation that works best for your workflow.

For me, the real magic happened when I stopped worrying about the “perfect format” and just focused on capturing what mattered. Some days my documentation is a bullet-point list, while other times it’s a simple paragraph of thoughts. It doesn’t have to be polished or perfect. It just needs to make sense to you. Over time, you’ll figure out what works best.

Start writing, and as you go, reflect on how you can make it more efficient. Share your experience and tips with others — after all, this is a journey we’re all on together. (Feel free to drop your thoughts in the comments section — I’d love to hear what works for you!)

When you start focusing on yourself, magic happens

Conclusion

To wrap it up, documenting everything — well, most things — can be a game-changer in your daily work life. It will help you stay organized, reduce stress, make better decisions, and ultimately work smarter, not harder. The power of writing is often underestimated, but trust me, once you make it a habit, you’ll see just how much it improves your workflow.

Start simple. Write down what feels necessary, experiment with different formats, and see where it leads you. I guarantee it’ll make a world of difference in how you manage your time, your projects, and your life.

Now, go ahead and start documenting. Your future self will thank you.