On my Organizing System
Feb. 8th, 2011 12:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
redroseThis was written in the comments to someone else's lj, and I decided to put it into a post.
My org system is based on David Allen's Getting Things Done System, which gave me enough structure to be useful, but not so much so rigidly that I rebelled against it.
I have lists - lists of projects that I am working on right now (e.g. writing a paper, overhauling my diet, organizing cookbooks and getting rid of the ones that don't fit wit the new diet), lists of things that I might want to do someday (e.g. learn to speak Irish), lists of thing that I should do soon (e.g. pack and mail some books to friends, order some ink cartridges for a pen), lists of things that go with a particular project. The lists are whatever makes sense as far as organizing my stuff.
I carry a little scrap paper notepad with me, and a pen, so that whenever I have an idea about something I want to do, or try, or need to remind someone else about, I can write it down and not be distracted by it while I am doing something else.
Periodically through the day, I sit down, and go through those notes, and put them on their proper lists.
At the start of the day, I sit down and look at my lists and pick a few things that have to get done that day, both at work and at home. I write them down on a separate piece of paper, and look at them to remember throughout the day. This may change, when I am no longer a grad student.
One big principle here is, "Touch it once."
Skim the email once, and if it will take under 2 minutes to deal with, deal with it then.
If the note you made to yourself is under 2 minutes to deal with, deal with it, don't bother putting on a list.
I use a lot of file folders in email to keep track of things by project, and by general type, like receipts.
In David Allen's system, you're supposed to have projects, which take more than 2 "next actions", and a weekly review, to sit down and make sure that your making progress on your projects.
I really don't use these, though probably I should.
My org system is based on David Allen's Getting Things Done System, which gave me enough structure to be useful, but not so much so rigidly that I rebelled against it.
I have lists - lists of projects that I am working on right now (e.g. writing a paper, overhauling my diet, organizing cookbooks and getting rid of the ones that don't fit wit the new diet), lists of things that I might want to do someday (e.g. learn to speak Irish), lists of thing that I should do soon (e.g. pack and mail some books to friends, order some ink cartridges for a pen), lists of things that go with a particular project. The lists are whatever makes sense as far as organizing my stuff.
I carry a little scrap paper notepad with me, and a pen, so that whenever I have an idea about something I want to do, or try, or need to remind someone else about, I can write it down and not be distracted by it while I am doing something else.
Periodically through the day, I sit down, and go through those notes, and put them on their proper lists.
At the start of the day, I sit down and look at my lists and pick a few things that have to get done that day, both at work and at home. I write them down on a separate piece of paper, and look at them to remember throughout the day. This may change, when I am no longer a grad student.
One big principle here is, "Touch it once."
Skim the email once, and if it will take under 2 minutes to deal with, deal with it then.
If the note you made to yourself is under 2 minutes to deal with, deal with it, don't bother putting on a list.
I use a lot of file folders in email to keep track of things by project, and by general type, like receipts.
In David Allen's system, you're supposed to have projects, which take more than 2 "next actions", and a weekly review, to sit down and make sure that your making progress on your projects.
I really don't use these, though probably I should.
