Hey everyone! It's Miyavi from Small Wins. π
Long time no see.
Let's take a quick break from the grind and dive into something a little lighter.
I've been seeing a lot of chatter on Threads lately about Notion in my country.
Some people are saying Notion's not as impressive as others said to be.
As someone who runs three teams and a whole brand entirely on Notion, and even creates templates for it, I feel pretty qualified to weigh in.
So, let's explore if Notion is the perfect fit for you.
Is Notion really that magical? My honest take:
Let's get one thing straight: tools can't replace smarts, but they can make you look like a genius. (Just kidding! π)
But seriously, no digital tool, Notion or otherwise, can instantly turn you into a productivity superhero.
Even the best cookware can't make a gourmet meal without a skilled chef.
It all comes down to how you use it.
Some said: "Notion is too flexible for team use"?
This is the first time I've heard someone said that, but it actually reminds me of one of my favorite things about Notion: its flexibility!
My current approach to digital tools is that there's no perfect tool, just the right tool for the job.
I love finding the best solutions for my work.
But after trying out a bunch of digital tools, I realized that no single tool can solve all problems.
So, instead of searching for the "perfect tool," I started looking for a system that best suited my workflow. And that's how I stumbled upon Notion over five years ago.
Notion does offer a lot of freedom, and some people might be used to working within a pre-defined framework set up by someone else (or another tool).
When they have to build their own system, their minds might go blank.
But I believe that to use Notion effectively, you only need two things:
- Understand your own workflow and system.
- Familiarize yourself with Notion's features and how to apply them.
Notion does require some learning, but what tool doesn't?
Introducing Notion to a team might face some resistance, which I understand.
In my experience, introducing new tools in the workplace often leads to some initial pushback. So, it all comes down to:
- Does your team have well-established SOPs, or are you all relying on unspoken "invisible systems"? (Consider setting up team SOPs to streamline future Notion tasks.)
- Does everyone on the team have a consistent understanding of the tool? (This can be addressed through training.)
Some said: "Planning takes over execution in Notion"?
This is an interesting point.
If you find yourself spending too much time planning in Notion, and it's not due to your workflow or lack of understanding, then the problem might not be Notion itself, but your approach to work.
Think about it: do you also spend a lot of time creating "perfect plans" instead of "achieving goals" when using other tools?
Whether you're an individual or part of a team, the purpose of planning is to better execute and achieve goals.
If you find yourself planning more than executing, it might be time to re-evaluate your work methods.
Some said: "Notion isn't good for project management, it's better for knowledge management"?
I have to disagree on this one! π
Many people might see Notion as just a note-taking app, but it's so much more than that!
I believe Notion excels in project management compared to knowledge management. Here's why:
- Notion's database features are powerful, with options like lists, Gantt charts, and calendars, making it perfect for managing project timelines.
- Notion's high flexibility allows you to create workspaces tailored to the specific needs and workflow of each project.
- Notion's collaboration features are ideal for teams to work together, update in real-time, and track project progress.
- Notion can seamlessly integrate knowledge management and project management, with workspaces + team SOPs + team wikis all in one place. While Notion is certainly capable of knowledge management, if I had to choose, I'd say its strengths lie more in project management.
So, is Notion a magic tool?
The answer is: it can be, or it can not be.
Notion is like LEGO bricks.
You can build amazing creations with LEGO, but how you build it depends entirely on the builder (you).
Before diving deep into Notion, I thought it was just okay.
But as I learned more about it, I discovered its potential, advantages, and fun aspects.
I love the freedom and flexibility to tailor my workspaces based on different project types!
Do you think Notion is right for you? Share your thoughts with me!
Notion Callout Feature Update
One of my most anticipated updates: you can now choose whether or not to remove the icon from Callout blocks!
This is great if you're using Callouts as page blocks (instead of reminder fields), as you won't have to deal with the icon anymore.
I've been waiting for this feature for a long time!
How to remove the Callout block icon:
- Click on the icon within the Callout block.
- Select "Remove."
I hope you enjoy this issue. Have a nice day! βΊοΈ
Miyavi from Small Wins
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