Getting Things Done

I don't use Moleskines. I use Mead Composition books. However, the idea may

translate.

For any new day, meeting, discussion, etc, I start a new page. I put a title

and the date at the top. If it's a meeting, I list the people in attendance.

In the back of the book, starting with the last page and moving forward, I

keep an index. So, when I start a new page:

I'll put that same line in the back index.

The index moves toward the front of the book as entries move toward the back.

When they're about to meet, I start a new notebook.

I write the date range of each notebook on the front cover (or spine as

preferred).

I've been happy with a paper notebook divided into three sections--Waiting, NAs and Projects. Each of those three sections is marked with those indestructible post-it flags. Someday/Maybe items are at the very end of the notebook, and as it grows it moves toward the front of the notebook. Allowing yourself to go back-to-front between sections will let you get the most use out of the notebook before you need another one. Each NA context gets its own page. There's a bit of flipping during my weekly (ok, monthly) reviews, but in the main it's very workable.

I don't happen to keep any reference info in this (although some of my project scribbles serve that sort of purpose), but a moleskine pocket or one of those multi-subject notebooks with pockets would allow for some reference storage if you were working on something that needed it. I think you probably want to make sure reference material can be kept without having to re-copy it every time.

For keeping my projects and actions list, I use a MS Word document containing a simple table. I like the fact that MS Word table cells expand while I type, unlike Excel cells.

I also like the fact that, if I'm extremely tired and my vision blurs, I can use CTRL+Mouse Wheel to zoom the document.

So this is the advantages MS Word has over other PIMs.

Columns of the table I use:

1. Project

2. Next action for the project

3. Importance

4. Due date

5. Location

I don't usually fill all the columns.

For example, if I have a simple action, I don't fill column 1: project.

If I have a project, I fill column 1.

I use table sorting a lot.

In the morning, I first sort by "due date" and do the things that are emergencies.

Then, I sort by "importance", and do the things that are important.

If I decide to go outside the office, I sort the list by "location", and make a paper note with all the things I have to do outside.

Every week I re-read and revise the list.

CategoryTimeManagement

Category GTD