Comments on: Organization 101: A Visual Guide to How I Manage the Information in My Life http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/ Simple, applicable personal finance advice for the modern world Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:44:30 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Angela http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-385553 Angela Thu, 02 Oct 2008 22:43:16 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-385553 Thanks for the great post! Thanks for the great post!

]]> By: Angela http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-385476 Angela Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:55:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-385476 Here's a frugal idea for creating a little notebook like the one you use. We get these Value-Pak coupons mailed to us every 2 months or so. For some reason they only print the (generally sucky) coupons on one side, so we cut these pages into quarters and staple together. It creates a little notebook like the one shown here - for free. Here’s a frugal idea for creating a little notebook like the one you use. We get these Value-Pak coupons mailed to us every 2 months or so. For some reason they only print the (generally sucky) coupons on one side, so we cut these pages into quarters and staple together. It creates a little notebook like the one shown here – for free.

]]> By: mjukr http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-369104 mjukr Fri, 05 Sep 2008 20:43:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-369104 How about an update now that you're a Mac user? How about an update now that you’re a Mac user?

]]> By: Kelley http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-128001 Kelley Sat, 08 Dec 2007 16:21:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-128001 Thanks for the tips and your method. My method is very similar so I feel a lot better knowing I am not the only person who does things that way. Very helpful! Thanks for the tips and your method. My method is very similar so I feel a lot better knowing I am not the only person who does things that way. Very helpful!

]]> By: J.C. Carvill http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-126776 J.C. Carvill Thu, 06 Dec 2007 22:35:52 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-126776 Wow, you really handle details of information in your life! Nowadays good information management is important to keep ourself from drowning and losing focus & effectivity. J.C. Carvill Email: support@cosmosing.com URL: http://www.cosmosing.com/jeanclaudecarvill/index.php Wow, you really handle details of information in your life! Nowadays good information management is important to keep ourself from drowning and losing focus & effectivity.

J.C. Carvill
Email: support@cosmosing.com
URL: http://www.cosmosing.com/jeanclaudecarvill/index.php

]]> By: ontguy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-124595 ontguy Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:49:59 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-124595 great article! how do you organize your documents in the cardboard filing boxes? one folder on top of the other? alphabetical? chronologically? is the manual box sorted the same as the finance box? do you still use the methods outline in your previous articles (http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/01/19/my-system-for-managing-financial-documents/ & http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/15/a-fresh-start-how-to-organize-all-of-your-financial-documents-in-a-filing-cabinet/)? I listened through the GTD series at the beginning of the year and love it. As the year went I struggled with maintaining the system and slowing fell back into mild chaos and disorganization. The tips you've outline will help me get organization again. great article!

how do you organize your documents in the cardboard filing boxes?

one folder on top of the other? alphabetical? chronologically? is the manual box sorted the same as the finance box?

do you still use the methods outline in your previous articles (http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/01/19/my-system-for-managing-financial-documents/ & http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/04/15/a-fresh-start-how-to-organize-all-of-your-financial-documents-in-a-filing-cabinet/)?

I listened through the GTD series at the beginning of the year and love it. As the year went I struggled with maintaining the system and slowing fell back into mild chaos and disorganization. The tips you’ve outline will help me get organization again.

]]> By: Christene http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-120395 Christene Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:05:46 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-120395 I think the 3-ring binder is one of the best inventions in the world. By using a binder rather than a notebook, you can remove and replace easily if needed. They come in different sizes, you can buy paper that is punched, or recycle paper and punch the holes yourself. I think the 3-ring binder is one of the best inventions in the world. By using a binder rather than a notebook, you can remove and replace easily if needed. They come in different sizes, you can buy paper that is punched, or recycle paper and punch the holes yourself.

]]> By: Jamie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-119081 Jamie Fri, 23 Nov 2007 16:26:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-119081 This seems like a great system. I read GTD recently and I've been using parts of it with varying degrees of success. I'm curious to know more details on how you use your project notebook. How often do you check it and update it? How do you decide what a project is? Anything more than one step? Do you have catch-all types of projects like "around the house"? If so, what are some of these? Could you post some pictures of project pages? This seems like a great system. I read GTD recently and I’ve been using parts of it with varying degrees of success.

I’m curious to know more details on how you use your project notebook. How often do you check it and update it? How do you decide what a project is? Anything more than one step? Do you have catch-all types of projects like “around the house”? If so, what are some of these? Could you post some pictures of project pages?

]]> By: Marjorie http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-118247 Marjorie Thu, 22 Nov 2007 17:42:36 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-118247 Good morning! Wow, thank you so much for this post! I was already using Thunderbird and Lightning (Mozilla calendar you can integrate with the Thunderbird email client) as well as little notebooks in my purse and in the kitchen (where a lot of ideas seem to pop into my head). I hadn't thought of using Google Notebook, though, and will definitely look into that. Another friend suggested that I get a digital voice recorder, and I got a simple Sony one for about $50. It's very small, can be tucked into my jeans pocket or purse pocket, and is very handy when I don't want to pull out my notebook but need to make notes for something. Dictating into the recorder makes it super easy, especially if I'm driving and don't want to pull over to jot down something. Also comes in very handy for interviews. I'm a freelance writer and need that functionality and convenience. I have a novel, screenplay and play in progress; several freelance articles; a one-day-a-week office job; a household to run; and 4 blogs to maintain. So yeah, it can be kinda hectic. You've given me some great ideas for organization, so thank you!!! Cheers, Marjorie Good morning!

Wow, thank you so much for this post! I was already using Thunderbird and Lightning (Mozilla calendar you can integrate with the Thunderbird email client) as well as little notebooks in my purse and in the kitchen (where a lot of ideas seem to pop into my head). I hadn’t thought of using Google Notebook, though, and will definitely look into that. Another friend suggested that I get a digital voice recorder, and I got a simple Sony one for about $50. It’s very small, can be tucked into my jeans pocket or purse pocket, and is very handy when I don’t want to pull out my notebook but need to make notes for something. Dictating into the recorder makes it super easy, especially if I’m driving and don’t want to pull over to jot down something. Also comes in very handy for interviews. I’m a freelance writer and need that functionality and convenience. I have a novel, screenplay and play in progress; several freelance articles; a one-day-a-week office job; a household to run; and 4 blogs to maintain. So yeah, it can be kinda hectic.

You’ve given me some great ideas for organization, so thank you!!!

Cheers,
Marjorie

]]> By: Ed Joyner http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-118132 Ed Joyner Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:10:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-118132 My stomach turned when I read you dump your emails. I do that with clear conscious with personal email at home. At work I average about 1,600 in-box messages. I dump messages all day long. I believe your purging approach would be an easy way to alienate people and to get fired after a few email dumps. Nevertheless, I am getting very tired of a full email box so I will test dumping some emails older than two months since the priority factor may have played out. How do you handle your voice mails? What missteps have you made? How did you resolve them? I am emailing your article to my boss to see what she thinks. No, that will not get me fired. Thank you for the practical GTD tips. My stomach turned when I read you dump your emails. I do that with clear conscious with personal email at home. At work I average about 1,600 in-box messages. I dump messages all day long. I believe your purging approach would be an easy way to alienate people and to get fired after a few email dumps. Nevertheless, I am getting very tired of a full email box so I will test dumping some emails older than two months since the priority factor may have played out. How do you handle your voice mails? What missteps have you made? How did you resolve them? I am emailing your article to my boss to see what she thinks. No, that will not get me fired. Thank you for the practical GTD tips.

]]> By: Lee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-117730 Lee Thu, 22 Nov 2007 03:24:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-117730 Getting into GTD now. Like the notebook idea. You might find a personal budgeting solution helpful too called The B Word that uses many of the same principles...but from a math perspective. Thx! Getting into GTD now. Like the notebook idea. You might find a personal budgeting solution helpful too called The B Word that uses many of the same principles…but from a math perspective. Thx!

]]> By: The Digerati Life http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-116757 The Digerati Life Wed, 21 Nov 2007 06:30:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-116757 Wow, some really interesting visuals there! I have a bunch of notebooks I use where I list stuff. I also make online lists on text pads and so on. But I find that the simple notebook is the easiest to work with. Great post! Wow, some really interesting visuals there! I have a bunch of notebooks I use where I list stuff. I also make online lists on text pads and so on. But I find that the simple notebook is the easiest to work with. Great post!

]]> By: Sarah Stokely http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-116653 Sarah Stokely Wed, 21 Nov 2007 01:39:06 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-116653 Hi Trent, Really nice post - I've linked to it today as a great place to send someone who's interested in starting a productivity system for themselves. Cheers! Hi Trent,
Really nice post – I’ve linked to it today as a great place to send someone who’s interested in starting a productivity system for themselves.
Cheers!

]]> By: anonymous http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-116507 anonymous Tue, 20 Nov 2007 20:06:33 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-116507 Have you stopped using Keynote? Have you stopped using Keynote?

]]> By: Tom Purl http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-116449 Tom Purl Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:03:39 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-116449 If you're interested in Hanna and McKinney at all, then you should read "Assassination Vacation" by Sarah Vowell (one of my favorite writers). There's a large chapter that covers McKinney's presidential term. In general, the book is incredibly interesting and funny, and is a much more enjoyable read than a lot of history-focused books. Also, for the record, a lot of people think that Rove made the Hanna comment as a joke. Hanna was a corrupt, unscrupulous party boss during the birth of American imperialism. He's not the type of person that most people would admit to admiring in public, even if that person is Karl Rove. If you’re interested in Hanna and McKinney at all, then you should read “Assassination Vacation” by Sarah Vowell (one of my favorite writers). There’s a large chapter that covers McKinney’s presidential term. In general, the book is incredibly interesting and funny, and is a much more enjoyable read than a lot of history-focused books.

Also, for the record, a lot of people think that Rove made the Hanna comment as a joke. Hanna was a corrupt, unscrupulous party boss during the birth of American imperialism. He’s not the type of person that most people would admit to admiring in public, even if that person is Karl Rove.

]]> By: Jason http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-116445 Jason Tue, 20 Nov 2007 19:01:55 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-116445 Excellent post! I've been looking for a system for a while now. I have a little note pad, but a little voice recorder would be better for me, for remembering ideas. Does anyone reading this know of any software that would bring all of this together? Excellent post!

I’ve been looking for a system for a while now. I have a little note pad, but a little voice recorder would be better for me, for remembering ideas.

Does anyone reading this know of any software that would bring all of this together?

]]> By: Heather http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-116161 Heather Tue, 20 Nov 2007 12:43:03 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-116161 Thanks. Organized #3 - the notepad to jot thoughts throughout the day - has been the most valuable thing for me. When I get three for four book titles, I'll take out the notepad and order the books from the library, or search for reviews on Amazon to see if I want to spend money buying the book. Thanks. Organized #3 – the notepad to jot thoughts throughout the day – has been the most valuable thing for me. When I get three for four book titles, I’ll take out the notepad and order the books from the library, or search for reviews on Amazon to see if I want to spend money buying the book.

]]> By: Brad Sayers http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-116130 Brad Sayers Tue, 20 Nov 2007 11:56:31 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-116130 I collect scrap paper, good one side 8x11. I have tons of it now (still can't turn it down). Some of it goes on a clip board, some it it gets cut in half for another clip board I have, some of it gets cut into 4 which I then collect together with a big black clip. I carry a notebook. I'd say I have ubiquitous capture. One thing, however, that I tweaked: In the interest of frugality, I used to fill up a quarter sheet with my thoughts and ideas, to do item, ect. I found that when I processed, I was cutting entries with scissors to put into a folder (I keep about 10 working folders on my desk). I was ending up with too many little, unwieldy pieces of paper. So now: one entry per side, then process. Once processed, I draw a line through it and re-enter that other side into the system. This satisfies frugality and minmizes the psychic stress I had of handling little scraps...... Cheers, Brad I collect scrap paper, good one side 8×11. I have tons of it now (still can’t turn it down). Some of it goes on a clip board, some it it gets cut in half for another clip board I have, some of it gets cut into 4 which I then collect together with a big black clip. I carry a notebook. I’d say I have ubiquitous capture.

One thing, however, that I tweaked: In the interest of frugality, I used to fill up a quarter sheet with my thoughts and ideas, to do item, ect. I found that when I processed, I was cutting entries with scissors to put into a folder (I keep about 10 working folders on my desk). I was ending up with too many little, unwieldy pieces of paper. So now: one entry per side, then process. Once processed, I draw a line through it and re-enter that other side into the system. This satisfies frugality and minmizes the psychic stress I had of handling little scraps……

Cheers, Brad

]]> By: Marsha http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-115905 Marsha Tue, 20 Nov 2007 04:02:44 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-115905 1. Remember the Milk looks awesome - thanks for sharing that. 2. Delete all the email inbox? OMG, that practically gives me a seizure thinking about it. 3. Please, it's "wherever I am," not "wherever I'm at." I wouldn't say anything except that you want to be a serious writer. 1. Remember the Milk looks awesome – thanks for sharing that.
2. Delete all the email inbox? OMG, that practically gives me a seizure thinking about it.
3. Please, it’s “wherever I am,” not “wherever I’m at.” I wouldn’t say anything except that you want to be a serious writer.

]]> By: Julia http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/comment-page-1/#comment-115900 Julia Tue, 20 Nov 2007 03:47:27 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2007/11/19/organization-101-a-visual-guide-to-how-i-manage-the-information-in-my-life/#comment-115900 I just wanted to thank you for a series of excellent posts, particularly this one. I check this site several times a day, and it seems like each time I checked today, you had posted another long thoughtful post! I just wanted to thank you for a series of excellent posts, particularly this one. I check this site several times a day, and it seems like each time I checked today, you had posted another long thoughtful post!

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