I Tried Notion—Here’s What Surprised Me Most

📌TL;DR

• All-in-one workspace — Notion combines notes, tasks, databases, and AI in one powerful tool.

• Familiar feel, deeper control — Like Beehiiv or Rise, but with more flexibility to build your own systems.

• Monetize your workflow — Turn your templates into digital products and start earning on the side.

Estimated reading time: 4 - 5 minutes.

TOGETHER WITH MINDSTREAM

Get Your Free ChatGPT Productivity Bundle

Mindstream brings you 5 essential resources to master ChatGPT at work. This free bundle includes decision flowcharts, prompt templates, and our 2025 guide to AI productivity.

Our team of AI experts has packaged the most actionable ChatGPT hacks that are actually working for top marketers and founders. Save hours each week with these proven workflows.

It's completely free when you subscribe to our daily AI newsletter.

Subscribe to get instant access

MAIN STORY QUEST

Why Notion Just Makes Sense

Notion is a flexible digital workspace that combines note-taking, task management, and databases in one place.

If a task tracker, journal, spreadsheet, and ChatGPT had a baby… it would be Notion.
(And yes, it’s smarter than it looks.)

It’s the kind of tool that lets you do a lot without juggling five apps and thirty browser tabs.

You can write articles, plan your week, save your best ideas, track progress, and even brainstorm with AI—all in one clean, calming interface that makes your chaos look kind of... aesthetic.

Why I Gave It a Spin

I recently took a course on Notion just to see what all the fuss was about.

Spoiler: I get it now.

It’s like your digital brain—but prettier, and less forgetful.

Notion pulls together all your scattered Post-its, spreadsheets, and to-do lists into one customizable space that feels tailor-made.

And the AI part? That’s where it gets interesting.

Notion AI: It’s Got a Brain, Too 🧠

Notion AI is powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o, which is deeply embedded in the experience.

You can:

• Summarize long notes without lifting a finger

• Turn a messy brain dump into a polished blog outline

• Generate action points from meeting notes

• Clean up writing or draft emails on the fly

It’s like having a mini content assistant that lives inside your notes and doesn’t charge overtime.

How It Feels to Use Notion

If you’ve ever used Beehiiv, Articulate Rise, or any block-based editor, Notion will feel oddly familiar.

Everything is a block: a paragraph, a heading, a checklist, an image, a toggle.

You can drag them around like Lego bricks and build anything from a simple doc to a full-blown dashboard.

But here’s the differentiator: Notion gives you way more control.

Unlike most tools where you work inside a fixed layout, Notion says, “You want a database inside a to-do list inside a calendar inside a toggle? Go for it.”

• Create multiple views (calendar, list, kanban, gallery) of the same data

• Link pages together so your notes talk to your tasks

• Add filters, formulas, and relations for next-level workflows

It grows with you.

Start simple. Get fancy when you’re ready.

✨ Pro Tip:
Try typing / inside Notion to unlock blocks like headings, callouts, lists, embeds, and even AI prompts.

It’s a magical little shortcut bar that makes setup feel more like play than work.

Is the Free Plan Enough?

Yes—especially for beginners.

I’m still on the free plan and haven’t hit many limits.

But once you start uploading larger files (above 5MB), or building more complex systems, the Plus plan at $10/month is worth considering.

Call it insurance for your future productivity empire.

Use Case: Planning a Creator Launch with Notion

Say you’re launching a new newsletter, course, or digital product.

Here’s how Notion helps:

• Content Calendar: Map your publishing timeline in a kanban board or timeline.

• Prompt Vault: Save and organize your go-to AI prompts by category.

• Assets Hub: Keep your images, links, drafts, and references tidy in one place.

• AI Support: Ask Notion to generate content, repurpose ideas, or tidy up your writing—right where you're working.

It’s like having your editorial assistant, project manager, and AI copywriter all living in the same room—and somehow, they get along.

Bonus Byte: Monetize with Templates 💸

Here’s the part creators will love: Notion has a thriving template economy.

Creators are selling Notion templates for everything from goal trackers to client portals to full-on business operating systems.

Platforms like Gumroad, Etsy, Ko-fi, and even Notion’s own gallery are packed with them.

Getting started is easier than it sounds:

1. Take something you already use—like a content planner.

2. Polish the layout, add dropdowns, tags, and emojis (tastefully).

3. Export as a template.

4. Add a short Loom walkthrough, pop it on Gumroad, and voilà—your workflow just became a product.

The Final Byte

Whether you're a creator, educator, or just someone trying to calm the digital chaos, Notion isn’t just another productivity tool—it’s a creative playground with a brain.

It helps you think clearly, act quickly, and even earn a little on the side.

Not bad for a tool that’s free to start.

Why not try Notion for free and see if it earns a permanent tab in your browser.

See you in the next one,

A MESSAGE FROM 1440

Fact-based news without bias awaits. Make 1440 your choice today.

Overwhelmed by biased news? Cut through the clutter and get straight facts with your daily 1440 digest. From politics to sports, join millions who start their day informed.

Sign up now!

SUGGESTION BOX