Notion’s high level of customization makes it one of the best productivity software available, but it can also cause it to feel overwhelming. Thanks to the sheer amount of possibilities, you can track just about anything with it—or nothing if you can’t decide what to do with it.

You’re not alone if you find Notion to be exhausting. So what can you do? Keep reading for some suggestions on how to get beyond the initial overwhelm.

Go Into Notion With a Plan

It’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of a new app or software as you explore the possibilities and solutions it offers. But rather than letting the software guide you, you’ll get a better sense of what you want to do with it if you consider the problem you’re looking to fix in the first place.

Are there specific areas in which you struggle to stay organized? Are you looking to replace a current software or system?

Workflow outlined in note-taking software

Think of how you handle those things now and what they’ll look like in Notion. That way, you’re less likely to stray from what you need and end up with more of what you want. Another benefit of creating a plan is that it’s less likely you’ll clutter your workspace with extras.

Limit Your Blocks and Pages in Notion

Just because you can do almost anything in Notion doesn’t mean you should. Sure, some of the things you can do with it can seem enticing—habit trackers, reading lists, personal CRMs, and much more. But the important thing to ask yourself is whether these are feasible solutions for you or simply extras.

Text layout in note-taking software

With Notion, less is certainly more. It’s better to keep a lean, intentional workspace where you use every block and page rather than a bloated one where unused elements get in the way.

Look at your current systems and software to prevent workspace clutter. Use what works to build what you need in Notion, starting with the essentials and adding to your databases or pages as needed. If you want to start fresh or don’t have a system, use templates and tutorials to help you learn as you work.

Begin With Notion Templates and Tutorials

Once you’ve considered your current systems, and you’ve determined a plan, look for Notion templates and tutorials to help you build what you need. Notion offers plenty of templates right in the software, available at the click of a button, that you can customize to suit your needs.

To-do list in project management software

Its to-do list template is an excellent example. It uses a minimal database with a checklist column to help you stay on top of your tasks. If you’re working alone and want to get rid of the Assignee column, click its title and select Delete property from the menu. If you want to add a priority column, click the add symbol at the top-right of the database, choose Select from the list, and click into the cells below to start adding options.

Customizing pages and databases in Notion is a cinch once you get the hang of it, and Notion offers plenty of resources on its website to help you get started. Plus, you can find them in many other places around the internet, including Notion topics here on MUO. But, of course, with so many things you can do in Notion, it’s tough to choose where to get started. So, how do you?

Choose a Starting Place in Notion

What are you working on right now? Is there a project you’d really love to map out, a to-do list you’d like to organize, notes you need to type up, or ideas you need to get out? Start there.

It doesn’t need to be perfect or exact at the beginning. Envision how you want it to look, find templates or tutorials to help you get there, and customize it as you go.

Tasks list in project management software

If you limit yourself to a current project or problem to solve, likely, you’ll already have the ideas and information you need to get going. But, if you’re still overwhelmed, and that's getting in the way of your progress, it could be time to explore other options.

Explore Notion Alternatives

It could turn out that Notion just isn’t your thing. The note-taking productivity software isn’t for everyone. But you can find plenty of excellent alternatives to help you stay organized and productive. Here’s a brief list to help you get started:

A project board in project management software
  • ClickUp—this software requires less creativity and can handle large projects. It’s more of a ready-made solution with simple templates and some wiggle room for customization.
  • Google Keep—is a quick, visual place to jot down and organize your notes. When comparing Google Keep to Notion, you’ll certainly notice the size difference, but if you find the latter overwhelming, that could mean the leaner note-taking app is worth exploring.
  • Google Sheets—if you enjoy the customization aspect of Notion, yet you find it’s still too much, you could try planning your projects in Google Sheets. While the first thing that often comes to mind is accounting, there are many practical ways to use Google Sheets.
  • Checklist apps—you don’t need pages and databases to get things done. Sometimes all you need is a reliable checklist app—which isn’t always the one already on your phone. When comparing apps like Apple Reminders, Google Keep, and Microsoft To Do, they'll likely all seem the same at first glance, but each offers something unique that could make it the one for you. Do some research, and you might uncover a simple yet effective solution with minimal steps.

Notion: Love It or Leave It?

It’s not uncommon to find Notion overwhelming. A lot of that comes down to the sheer size of it and its vast customization options. The key to getting through that is knowing what you want to get out of it and avoiding the temptation to stray from that with seemingly fun templates and frivolous solutions.

Still, Notion is not for everyone. If you find you can’t get beyond the learning curve, or you’d simply prefer an app or software that’s more straightforward, there are plenty of other options out there.