A Hip Way to Keep Track of To-Dos
I’m a gadget guy and over the years I have owned a number of electronic devices to help me keep track of my calendar, to-dos, contacts, etc. After a few months though I’d find myself using the device less and less. It was difficult to quickly jot down a note or phone number. I’d take out the device, reach for the stylus, turn it on, open the correct application, and then use some arcane handwriting recognition to jot down a simple phone number or to-do. This process sometimes took a minute or two.
Next I resorted to sticky notes, which quickly became a huge mental weight because they were posted all around my monitor and weren’t very portable. I then learned about the Hipster PDA from Merlin Mann’s 43 Folders blog. It’s a tongue and cheek approach, using a series of 3×5 cards, for time management. The idea intrigued me because it’s simple, portable, and inexpensive, but I didn’t like the idea of managing a stack of 3×5s. I then found the Moleskine Memo Pocket and everything fell into place. What I liked most about this solution was that it allowed me to organize my cards into different sections and fit into my back pocket. I can quickly take out a blank card, jot a note down, and put it into the pocket I set aside of new to-dos.
I’ve been using this system for 6 months now and have been very pleased with it. I get a lot of stares and comments from folks who see me use it in action. It’s rare for me to forget or lose track of anything now, and it’s very useful when I’m winding down for the evening, and need to jot down a quick reminder for the next day.
I do realize this solution may not be for everyone, but the point here is that what ever solution you use make sure it works for you consistently and most of all make it a reflection of you.
