As I read through your book one thing I struggle with is having a good collection point for all my tasks, appointments and meetings. At work I use lotus notes for my tasks, appointments and meetings which is okay for checking availability for scheduling others for a meeting. However, if I use this for manage my personal items. I feel as though I a tied to my computer or have to carry extra pieces of paper around to manage my personal items. Please advise the best solution for collecting and process all my items.
Collect and Processing Items effectively
- Thread starter Jldalgle
- Start date
Portable device
Hi,
If I were you, I would get a syncable portable device such as a smartphone or a Blackberry or whatever fits your IT infrastructure. I sync my HTC phone with Outlook, which I know is possible with Notes as well.
In that way, the central parts (to dos, calendar, mail) of my system is completely portable and I do not need to keep track of my tasks in more than one place.
David (though not David Allen)
Hi,
If I were you, I would get a syncable portable device such as a smartphone or a Blackberry or whatever fits your IT infrastructure. I sync my HTC phone with Outlook, which I know is possible with Notes as well.
In that way, the central parts (to dos, calendar, mail) of my system is completely portable and I do not need to keep track of my tasks in more than one place.
David (though not David Allen)
There's no single collection tool that will do everything you need. Paper is still the fastest way to capture information; electronic devices do a better job of organizing that information and making it portable. When I'm out and about I usually have the following items on me:
I also keep a small scratch pad and pen in every room of my house.
You never know where an idea will hit you. If you find yourself getting ideas in the shower and losing them, get a divers board and pencil at a dive shop and hang it in your shower with a suction cup hook.
Good luck!
-Luke
- Palm PDA (I use the notepad for capturing thoughts that require < 5 words)
- Homemade version of GTD notetaker wallet and Rotring Pen (or I could use a pocket memo book with tearoff pages)
- Voice recorder (for use while I'm driving)
I also keep a small scratch pad and pen in every room of my house.
You never know where an idea will hit you. If you find yourself getting ideas in the shower and losing them, get a divers board and pencil at a dive shop and hang it in your shower with a suction cup hook.
Good luck!
-Luke
Hi there, Jldalgle! I think I see the source of your frustrations, and it's in this line (emphasis mine):
Collecting and processing are separate events. This is not merely an academic distinction.
For example, I keep tasks, calendar items, and such in a wide variety of places: on paper, on my laptop computer, and on the web. But I collect with a deck of 3x5" index cards and a pen, both of which I keep in a pocket. If I'm out and someone asks to schedule a meeting, I write it down on the card. I add it to my calendar later. Same with tasks, future projects, etc.
In other words, you don't need a tool that will process. Just a tool that will capture.
Jldalgle;72687 said:
Collecting and processing are separate events. This is not merely an academic distinction.
For example, I keep tasks, calendar items, and such in a wide variety of places: on paper, on my laptop computer, and on the web. But I collect with a deck of 3x5" index cards and a pen, both of which I keep in a pocket. If I'm out and someone asks to schedule a meeting, I write it down on the card. I add it to my calendar later. Same with tasks, future projects, etc.
In other words, you don't need a tool that will process. Just a tool that will capture.
one of the things that we always have on us these days is our cell phone. I would highly recommend getting a "smartphone" that you feel comfortable typing fast on (blackberry, iphone, etc). Send yourself a text, email, or keep is as notes on the phone (if allows) then when you get back to your computer, copy everything in.
The next level of this behavior is to have a device that can sync directly to your GTD software of choice. I have Omnifocus on both my iphone and macbook. 1 database, capture everything on either iphone or mb. Process on mb.
HTH
Bill
The next level of this behavior is to have a device that can sync directly to your GTD software of choice. I have Omnifocus on both my iphone and macbook. 1 database, capture everything on either iphone or mb. Process on mb.
HTH
Bill
Well, I don't have a cell-phone. And I work in the meedia 
bnbarry34;72825 said:
I prefer you just stay digital instead of last-century, hockay? Emails, Twitter, have you heard of it?!
Seriously, sometimes a longish phone-call is needed and best place is to call me at my desk. Yes, I have a landline, if that isn't enough for somebody it is normally a warning sign about the working culture there.