One thing I do before I even start to order parts is to get a notebook. In it I write down ideas, parts, prices, where to buy from, where to find data sheets, etc. Then I would start to draw sketches and measurements. Then after I get my parts I write down what I still have to do and what I still need, but where it helps most is coding for me since its my weak spot. While coding I write down what makes this motor go foward or what is a good distance to turn away from something at or just little notes. This is a great simple tip for beginers (Like myself) and is also good at keeping all your notes in one place about a certain project.
lol!
I actually write down mine on the table, not practical, but I always lose notebooks, the table is heavy 
In school one of my teachers lost his stapler a lot…
(Actually kids hid it) Now its got about four feet of chain on it and the other end is bolted to the table.
I use google docs
my notebooks are never with me. Google is always with me.
I use notepad
on my phone sometimes.
I wish I was more structured
I wish I was more structured and made more notes. Earlier I planned my projects better and started with schematics, breadboard and finally did the soldering. Now I tend to start with the soldering iron and work from there and I see that quality of my work is suffering from that.
Still I feel that a good flowchart of the program I’m making is crucial for making good code. I’m still a big fan of yEd https://www.robotshop.com/letsmakerobots/node/17942
My codes not the best.
So I think I might try using a flowchart when I redo the code for my latest project.
I Use my notebook and to
I Use my notebook and to prove it i scanned in 2 pages. The first is some on chess and the second is on pong. I have pretty poor hand writing and having the left hand smear does not help either :P. So i find the notebook handy on wrapping my head around something and figuring out exactly how to implement it.
I’m all about the printer
I’m all about the printer paper (and staples), not to say I can’t read between the lines.
I love my notebook
To paraphrase Robert Thompson of the Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments, “if you don’t write it down, you’re just playing around”.
I love my National Brand 43-648 notebooks, and have bought some for friends. I write down all my stupid ideas there so I don’t forget, along with sketches complete or incomplete. This has been very useful when I have a limited budget of time and money, and too many ideas. Some successes of the notebook include my FPV video goggles. It was 1 year between when I bought the parts for my FPV video project and when I got around to building it – I was happy to find I had the pinouts and wiring diagrams all drawn out. I typically have a few projects sketched out, some of which go on the “back burner” when school or work or other projects interfere; the notebook keeps them alive.
Although I have many sketches on scrap paper that have been more immediately useful than my Official Notebook, the notebook has stuff I can go back to months later. (Sketches are good for stuff I’m going to do over the weekend, not 4 weeks later).
-John
I also do that…
I always end up forgetting what I would want to do so I would always write it down. If I am on the go I will write it on my phone even.