Notion for Beginners: Your Guide to Organization Nirvana
Notion has taken the world by storm, and for good reason. This powerful all-in-one workspace lets you organize anything and everything – from website content (like my Squarespace Website Workbook!) to notes, tasks, and even entire projects. But if you're new to Notion, the interface can seem a bit overwhelming at first. This beginner's guide will equip you with the knowledge and tips you need to become a Notion pro in no time.
Building Your Workspace: Blocks are Your Best Friend
Notion doesn't use folders; instead, it relies on a system of building blocks. These blocks can be anything from text and headings to to-do lists, databases, and even embedded web content. The beauty of blocks is their flexibility – you can drag and drop them to rearrange your workspace on the fly, allowing you to customize your Notion experience to perfectly suit your needs.
Getting Started: Essential Blocks for Beginners
Here's a quick rundown of some essential blocks you'll likely use a lot:
Text: This is your bread-and-butter block for writing notes, articles, or creating entire web pages within Notion.
Headings: Organize your content with headings and subheadings for easy scanning and readability.
Bulleted Lists & To-Do Lists: Keep track of tasks and ideas with these handy list blocks. You can even check off completed items in to-do lists!
Quotes: Add inspirational quotes or important snippets of text with the quotes block.
Images & Videos: Enhance your content with visuals by embedding images and videos directly into your Notion pages.
Pro-Tip: Want to explore more advanced block types? Notion offers a library of additional blocks, including tables, calendars, and even Kanban boards for project management.
Mastering the Art of Nesting Ideas
One of my favorite ways to use Notion is to start a brainstorm on a brand new page. As I write out the content I am creating, I can easily turn a simple line of text into a toggle with more content underneath it, turn that text into a new page, or even turn it into a database to add more and more info.
You can also drag and drop ideas around into multiple columns and sections to organize your thoughts.
Notion Tips & Tricks for Beginners
Here are a few bonus tips to help you get the most out of Notion:
Templates are your friends! Notion offers a vast library of free, user-created templates for everything from meeting agendas to habit trackers. If you are looking for a template to help you organize your website content, you can use my Squarespace Website Workbook, available at insidethesquare.co/workbook
Embrace keyboard shortcuts. Notion offers a variety of keyboard shortcuts to help you navigate and edit your workspace quickly. I’ve created a list of 100 keyboard shortcuts for Notion that you can access here.
Explore the power of formulas. Notion allows you to create formulas within your databases, enabling you to perform calculations, filter data, and create custom views.
Notion is a powerful tool that can transform the way you organize your work and personal life. With this beginner's guide and a little exploration, you'll be well on your way to Notion mastery! If you’d like to learn more about notion, suggest a tutorial idea below.
