3 Simple Synced Global Menus for Notion That Will Save Your Sanity (And Your Time)

Is your Notion workspace starting to feel like that junk drawer in your kitchen? You know the one — filled with random stuff you need but can never find when you actually need it? 🧠

Look, I get it. You created a Notion account because you were tired of your business running YOU instead of the other way around. But now you've got pages scattered everywhere, and you're spending more time searching than actually working.

That's not freedom. That's just a prettier prison.

The good news? You don't need to burn it all down and start over. What you need is a global menu system that travels with you across your workspace. And I'm about to show you three ways to build one that doesn't suck.

Why Your Notion Setup Is Burning You Out

Before we dive into solutions, let's call out the elephant in the room: a disorganized Notion workspace is literally costing you time, money, and mental bandwidth.

Here's what's happening behind the scenes when your Notion setup lacks a proper navigation system:

• Your brain is doing unnecessary context-switching every time you hop between pages

• You're wasting 5-10 minutes per day just trying to find that one damn page you need

• Your cognitive load is maxed out because nothing is where you intuitively expect it to be

• The physical tension in your shoulders builds every time you think "I know I created this somewhere..."

This isn't a productivity problem. It's a systems problem. And it's solvable with one simple feature: synced blocks.

What the Hell Is a Synced Block, Anyway?

Think of a synced block as a magical piece of content that updates everywhere at once. You create it once, place it on multiple pages, and when you update it in one place, it automatically updates everywhere else.

It's basically the Notion equivalent of "write once, use everywhere" — and it's about to become your new best friend for creating a navigation system that doesn't make you want to throw your laptop out the window.

3 Global Menu Designs That Actually Work

Let's cut the crap and get to the good stuff. Here are three different menu designs you can create right now (like, in the next 10 minutes) that will transform how you navigate your Notion workspace.

1. The Minimalist Menu (Thomas Frank Style)

This is perfect if you're a "just the essentials" kind of person who doesn't want visual clutter. It's clean, it's simple, and it works.

How to build it:

1. Create a synced block (/synced block)

2. Add a simple header like "Menu" or "Quick Links"

3. Use @mentions to link your most important pages

4. Optional: Add vertical dividers (Shift + | key) between links for visual separation

The best part? This takes up minimal space but delivers maximum utility. It's especially great for desktop users who want a clean, distraction-free workspace.

2. The Boxed/Column Menu (Better Creating Style)

If you primarily use Notion on your phone or tablet, this is your new BFF. It's visually organized, touch-friendly, and stacks beautifully on mobile.

How to create it:

1. Start with a synced block (/synced block)

2. Create 4 columns (/callout + /column)

3. Inside each column, add callout blocks with icons + background colors

4. Group similar links together (Actions, Business, Tracking, Organizing)

5. Pro tip: Use Shift + Enter to keep links inside callouts for cleaner formatting

This style takes up more visual space on desktop but transforms into a perfect thumb-friendly navigation system on mobile. Worth. Every. Pixel.

3. The Sleek Divider Menu (Tasha Creates Style — And My Personal Fave)

This is my current system because it strikes the perfect balance between minimalism and functionality. It's elegant, efficient, and fits seamlessly into any page design.

How to make it yours:

1. Start with a synced block (/synced block)

2. Add divider lines (--) at top and bottom for clean separation

3. Add @page mentions as horizontal links between the dividers

4. Optional: Use a small text toggle to fit more links neatly without visual clutter

This style works best for desktop users who want a professional, minimal aesthetic that doesn't sacrifice functionality.

How to Make Your Menu Work For You, Not Against You

The biggest mistake I see? People creating menus that look pretty but don't actually solve their navigation problems. Here's how to avoid that trap:

• Be ruthlessly selective about which pages earn a spot in your menu. If everything is important, nothing is.

• Group similar items visually or by function to create intuitive categories.

• Consider your device usage — mobile-heavy users should opt for the column style, while desktop warriors might prefer the minimalist or divider approach.

• Update it regularly as your needs change. The beauty of a synced block is that you update it once, and it changes everywhere.

Remember: Your menu isn't just about organization — it's about reducing the mental load that comes with having to remember where everything is. It's about giving your brain space to focus on what actually matters.

The Real Freedom Is in Systems That Don't Suck

Look, we all came to Notion because we wanted freedom. We wanted systems that work for us, not against us. But without the right setup, Notion can become just another digital duct tape solution that leaves you more frustrated than when you started.

A global menu isn't just a navigation tool — it's a commitment to your sanity. It's saying, "My time is valuable, and I refuse to waste it searching for the things I need."

So which style are you going with? The minimalist approach, the mobile-friendly columns, or my personal favorite — the sleek divider? Let me know in the comments which one you're implementing in your workspace!

And if you're ready to take your Notion systems beyond just navigation and build a truly burnout-proof business backend, check out Systems School where I'll show you how to turn Notion from a chaotic collection of pages into a CEO-worthy command center.

Your drive should fire you up—not wear you down. And having the right navigation system is the first step to making that happen.