Sticky Notes
I’ve been trying for years to better organize my tasks. I’ve tried many tools and I’ve tried several systems. But what always happens, no matter how hard I try, is that I fall back on my sticky notes. I have a stack of them ready along with a pen or two. The emails and calls flood in and I make my notes, which I then organize into groups on my desk. As I complete tasks, I crunch up the sticky notes and move on. It works well but I feel like a caveman using ancient technology, if that is even fair. Oooga booga, you know?
How do you stay organized? What tools do you use? What is your favorite method or technique?
By the way, I’m not talking about something you’ve tried and like. Instead, I’m talking about what you really do, day after day, year after year. How do you actually stay on top of your work?
p.s. Yes, I’ve read Getting Things Done by David Allen. I’ve read several other related books too. Don’t let that stop you from making a similar book recommendation.
March 28th, 2006 at 10:22 am
For anything that I need or want to record long-term, like personal project details, I use Backpack at the $5 level. For work-related stuff, I am a big fan of the LPOP method (Little Pieces of Paper). I have to keep in mind David Allen’s practice of breaking big jobs down into the smallest next achievable tasks, but these tasks get marked with a box. When the task is done, the box gets an X. I like the sticky notes approach - if ooga booga works for you, rock on!
March 30th, 2006 at 12:37 am
I tried the methods described in First Things First and they worked but I did have problems staying with the program. I tried GTD a few months ago and I’m finding it a system that’s reasonably good to implement and follow. I also like the fact that there are several websites (43 Folders comes to mind) that tweak GTD or give you alternate ideas. I use a notebook and an organiser and I’ve found that using Sticky notes are useful to track next actions. (I think I read this on 43 folders).
For saving articles, I started using Scrapbook (Firefox extension) but I’ve found that the latest version has been giving me problems. I’m now going back to saving stuff in text files.
It’s a learning process and I’m still learning.