Getting Productive
Recently my life has become a To Do and Time Management nightmare. Being the dedicated procrastinator and professional scatterbrain that I am, it’s caught up to me. So I’ve decided to get a little organized.
It started with my newest purchase. I picked up a Moleskine on Friday and am really excited to use it. I got the pocket ruled notebook so that it would be small enough to carry around everywhere with me. Maybe I’ll graduate to a larger one if it proves resourceful.
This is basically going to be my new PDA. What? Paper? Sacrilege!! Yes, I’ve always been a pundit of having everything digital. But as far as keeping your life in order, I have yet to use a single product/device that has proved itself. I’ve had every PDA you can imagine and they all stink. The problem lies in the I/O. Entering something into a PDA just doesn’t rival jotting something down on a piece of paper. Notebooks don’t run out of batteries and lose all your data. Also, using a PDA usually means that its part of some kind of “system” you’ve created that consists of a PDA, Desktop computer, and some software that link the two. While these can work well, I’ve yet to get them to.
By carrying around my moleskine, I’ll be able to jot every idea, number, date, or list down and have it in a central location. It comes with me to work, school, home, vacation, and play. I’ve had it 3 days and it’s already the best PDA I’ve had yet. Who’da thunkit. Paper..
I owe the idea to 43 Folders. A site that’s dedicated to getting your life in order and getting things done. Its part of a few sites out there currently being labeled life hacks. I really digg it seeing that I try to get as much productivity out of my computer as I can using 3rd party software etc. And I generally apply that to my life. So sites like this are great for everyone to share how they save time and energy, and just get things done!
The third part of all of this is the book Getting Things Done by David Allen. GTD is a system by which you follow specifically to well, get things done. Its pretty popular and there’s lots of software written around it and people have even incorporated their moleskines into it. I’ll slowly work my way towards that and I’m pretty interested to see how it works.
Incorporating GTD is just one of the “hacks” people are using with their moleskines. There’s a great thread at 43 Folders where everyone is sharing their moleskine hacks, or tips on organization and productive uses.
All and all I’m looking forward to getting more organized, and hopefully the productivity will follow.
I ve been using a notebook again too lately. Granted i never have had a PDA but i had also shun writing as a whole. I’ve learned once again how to handwrite something and now i also have a little notebook that i write things in! Ideas, work, to do etc etc. ITs like 3rd grade all over!
Comment by jonny g — November 7, 2005 @ 2:30 pm