Ankur Warikoo says a notebook is the secret of his success. Why he always carries it like a school student

If you’ve ever felt mentally drained just trying to remember everything on your to-do list, you’re not alone. Ankur Warikoo, entrepreneur and productivity coach, says that the real hack to getting more done isn’t about working harder—it’s about remembering less. In a recent LinkedIn post, he shared the simple but powerful practice that helped him triple his productivity, and it’s something almost anyone can do. Spoiler: your brain wasn’t meant to be a storage unit. In fact, the notebook is the secret to his success.

Warikoo’s big shift came when he stopped relying on his memory to manage daily tasks. “Not remembering things” may sound counterproductive, but it freed up his mental bandwidth. Instead of juggling appointments, follow-ups, and ideas in his head, he began offloading them. His toolkit? A notebook for quick thoughts, a calendar to lock in tasks, and scheduled emails to remind his future self.



He compared his note-taking style to that of a school student—writing everything down instead of pretending he’d remember it later. According to him, the brain should be used for problem-solving and creativity, not for data storage. By systematising the mundane, Warikoo says he gained more clarity and mental space to focus on deeper thinking and meaningful work.


It's a reminder that sometimes, the smartest way to stay sharp is to let your tools do the remembering—so your mind can do the thinking.

Internet reacts

Ankur Warikoo’s post clearly struck a chord with many professionals juggling complex workloads. One user, who manages over 15 YouTube channels, multiple Instagram accounts, and coordinates with agencies while tracking lead generation, said documentation is the only reason they’re able to stay afloat.

Others echoed the value of offloading mental clutter. One pointed out how freeing up mental space helped them think more clearly and creatively, while another praised the simplicity of thinking with pen and paper. Many found Warikoo’s approach both inspiring and refreshingly practical for boosting productivity without burnout.