With so many productivity tools out there, I found myself juggling multiple apps to successfully execute my ideas. I looked into some all-in-one solutions that promised to fix this, but their complex setups often left me overwhelmed. Then I discovered Amplenote—a streamlined app that effortlessly combines note-taking with task management—and it elevated my personal productivity like never before.
Amplenote helps turn my ideas into actionable items with its Idea Execution Funnel. The hook here is that you write down your ideas, organize them into notes, turn those into tasks, and then schedule them in a calendar—all without leaving the app. It seems simple on the surface, but it encourages follow-through in ways other apps don’t. The best part is that I use the free plan to get everything done.
Capture ideas with Jots
Writing notes in a distraction-free environment
When writing down ideas in a notebook—whether it’s a task, reminder, or creative spark—I scribble them down. I don’t worry about how they look or if they’re organized. I just write freely. The process can get messy and isn’t initially organized, but at least it’s free-form and allows me to get everything out on paper.
That’s the idea behind Amplenote’s first step—Jots. Amplenote creates a new Jot for you every day, reminiscent of those notebooks with a date on each page. The editing area has no formatting toolbar, creating a distraction-free environment. This lets you focus solely on your idea.
You can get even more minimalist by pressing Alt + – (dash) + [ (left square bracket) to quickly collapse sidebars.
I could be sitting at my desk or walking when an idea comes to mind. I just open Amplenote in my browser or phone (via the mobile app), select the Jot tab, and start writing it down.
Refining and structuring the notes
Making the notes look good
After jotting down the initial idea, it’s time to refine it. This is where the next step in the funnel comes in—notes. I usually jot down each idea on a separate line, then convert it into a note by wrapping it in double brackets.
You can also turn a note into a task by opening the forward slash (/) menu and selecting the Link to note option.
Once converted, I can access the note by clicking the notebook icon next to it or by selecting the Notes tab in the left-side menu. Each note will include a formatting bar for adding elements such as headings, lists, images, links, tables, and even code blocks. All this helps make the note look more structured and neat.
It’s worth mentioning that I can also add tags to the notes and Jots. This makes them easier to filter and categorize. The common tags I use include #work, #productivity, and #urgent. Some are even particular to certain notes, such as #LakeTrip2025 or #Vacation2024.
Turning words into an actionable item
The notes become tasks
If the note has actionable items, I can convert them into tasks as I flesh out the note. This is easy to do, as I can simply type [] (square brackets) next to the actionable item and press Space. Alternatively, I place the cursor on the line and click Task list in the formatting toolbar.
If you’re familiar with Markdown, you can use it, along with the forward slash menu, to structure your note without needing the formatting toolbar.
Important notes can be prioritized with tags like Urgent, Important, or Urgent & Important (the default priority is None). It’s also easy to see the pending tasks in the Task tab—the high-priority ones or those with an approaching deadline appear at the top. It also has a feature called Task Score, which Amplenote uses to automatically and intelligently prioritize tasks based on duration, urgency, and importance—you can also set the Task Score manually.
Once I complete a task, I can check it off, and it will be crossed out and moved to the Completed tab. There is also a handy graph in the section that shows the task completion trend, which can be motivating and provide other valuable insights.
Time to schedule the tasks
From intent to commitment
To make these tasks ready for follow-through, I either put a start date or a deadline. The former is when I intend to start the task, and the latter is when I plan to complete it. The tasks will then appear in Amplenote’s calendar, which is accessible through the Calendar tab.
The good thing is that I can view the calendar in the mobile app as well. However, I prefer to use Apple Calendar to look at my schedule. Luckily, Amplenote allows me to sync the Amplenote calendar with Apple, Google, and Outlook calendars.
You need to generate an app-specific password in your Apple account to sync the Apple Calendar. It’s a relatively easy process that is over in a few clicks.
Now I can see my start and due dates easily in Apple Calendar. I can even set custom notifications to stay on top of a particular task.
Amplenote is a game-changer for personal productivity
The Idea Execution Funnel in Amplenote provides a linear workflow that helps take an idea from conception to execution, all from within a simple, lightweight app. The free plan is all you need if you intend to use it for personal productivity. If you want to use it for collaboration or advanced insights, or for access to the desktop app, there are paid plans that start at $5.84 per month.