My parents were very disorganized, so I definitely didn't learn any organization from them. In college, I used a desk calendar, to do lists, and a voice recorder to record thoughts/tasks.
I have been using Franklin planners for 15 years. It hasn't been working as of late because you are suppose to take it with you everywhere, but the compact size is too big. So, I was not using it as much as I should have.
I recently bought the book "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, and it has revolutionized my life. I'm a lot more relaxed and productive. You have an In Box for all your stuff and papers, you make an A-Z general reference file (with a label maker, this Brother label maker has been invaluable), get everything out of your head and onto paper, a ubiquitous idea capturing device (I'm using a digital voice recorder). Allen wants you to make lists for each context like: @computer, @errands, @phone, @work, etc. So that, let's say you are waiting at your doctor's office for an appointment, then you pull out your @phone list and start making phone calls. Whenever you come to your computer, you pull out your @computer list and start doing that.
I think that most people have struggled with the paper deluge, but I was real happy last week when I was using the filing system described in Getting Things Done when I finally filed that last peace of loose paper, and there were no loose papers in my office at all except in the In Box where they should be. Any loose papers immediately go in the In Box for processing. That was a liberating feeling!!!
I have this Palm Treo 700wx, but I can't figure out how to use it yet. So...I'm using about 15 index cards with my lists on there. I carry it in my shirt pocket. Superlight, super portable, and with me at all times.
I like to used my digital voice recorder because I always seem to get these great ideas while driving!!!
Organization is something that we all struggle with. I thought that I might share my positive experience with the David Allen system. I think that many people believe that either you are born with the organizing gene or you aren't. I think that this is a learned skill. And David Allen teaches this skill to a detailed T. It worked for me. I'm a dynamo at work now. No loose papers out. Nice labeled folders. Lots of focus.
This is what worked for me.
What worked for you?
John
I have been using Franklin planners for 15 years. It hasn't been working as of late because you are suppose to take it with you everywhere, but the compact size is too big. So, I was not using it as much as I should have.
I recently bought the book "Getting Things Done" by David Allen, and it has revolutionized my life. I'm a lot more relaxed and productive. You have an In Box for all your stuff and papers, you make an A-Z general reference file (with a label maker, this Brother label maker has been invaluable), get everything out of your head and onto paper, a ubiquitous idea capturing device (I'm using a digital voice recorder). Allen wants you to make lists for each context like: @computer, @errands, @phone, @work, etc. So that, let's say you are waiting at your doctor's office for an appointment, then you pull out your @phone list and start making phone calls. Whenever you come to your computer, you pull out your @computer list and start doing that.
I think that most people have struggled with the paper deluge, but I was real happy last week when I was using the filing system described in Getting Things Done when I finally filed that last peace of loose paper, and there were no loose papers in my office at all except in the In Box where they should be. Any loose papers immediately go in the In Box for processing. That was a liberating feeling!!!
I have this Palm Treo 700wx, but I can't figure out how to use it yet. So...I'm using about 15 index cards with my lists on there. I carry it in my shirt pocket. Superlight, super portable, and with me at all times.
I like to used my digital voice recorder because I always seem to get these great ideas while driving!!!
Organization is something that we all struggle with. I thought that I might share my positive experience with the David Allen system. I think that many people believe that either you are born with the organizing gene or you aren't. I think that this is a learned skill. And David Allen teaches this skill to a detailed T. It worked for me. I'm a dynamo at work now. No loose papers out. Nice labeled folders. Lots of focus.
This is what worked for me.
What worked for you?
John
