Few questions on combining paper and Palm.

[ScottL]

OK I'm just getting back on the GTD bandwagon after a long time off.

I know some of what works/does not work for me but could use some advice on other areas.

--Palm PDA (Sony CLIE Th-55)--it goes in my pants pocket and I take it EVERYWHERE (beats lugging around the old time design binder). I'm going back to the simple palm to do application (from lifebalance) and address book though I still use datebook 5. I'll probably continue to use lifebalance for project planning only. Filecards will be used for jotting quick notes and put into inbasket.

--Paper: I bought a large paper calendar as it really helps to see everything like this. DISADVANTAGE--need for keeping 2 calendars (paper and palm) synchronized. I need to keep the PDA calendar since it is very helpful to know when at work what my future schedule will be like.

ANYONE SUCCESSFULLY KEEPING 2 calendars? it is possible?

Each day I'll bring with me a paper list with Must do and high priority. I'll create this each night by looking at the next days' calendar and by reviewing the NA lists.

In the beginning, I'll have checklists for morning routine, before bed, etc.

Thoughts?

 

[Brent]

I keep one paper calendar in my studio at home, and one digital calendar at home. Works fine.

 

[madalu]

I take it you want the paper calendars because they give you a bigger view. Any way to sync the Palm to a computer calendar program and then print out paper calendars?

I would recommend using symbols to indicate when items have been synced. Once you've synced an item, you might add an asterisk next to it on both the Palm and the paper calendar. Then you'll be able to see quickly what hasn't been synced.

 

[jrdouce]

I keep two electronic calendars, Outlook at work and my whole family is on Google calendars at home. I haven't been able to accurately sync them to Palm. I tried CompanionLink, but I end up multiplying appointment records.

CompanionLink may work if it is only synced with a single electronic source. They have a free trial.

 

[ScottL]

I take it you want the paper calendars because they give you a bigger view. .

Yup. Each calendar page is 8.5 x 11" and when you open up the binder each month is spread across the open 2 pages.

Any way to sync the Palm to a computer calendar program and then print out paper calendars?.

Hmmm gotta think about that one. Not sure it is worth it, but maybe.

I would recommend using symbols to indicate when items have been synced. Once you've synced an item, you might add an asterisk next to it on both the Palm and the paper calendar. Then you'll be able to see quickly what hasn't been synced.

That is an amazing idea. Thanks!

 

[ScottL]

I keep one paper calendar in my studio at home, and one digital calendar at home. Works fine.

have you had any problems keeping them synched?

 

[Brent]

In reply to my message about having two sytems:

have you had any problems keeping them synched?

None whatsoever. If I'm at work and find out about something I need to do when off work, I email my home address. When I'm at home, I receive the email, and update my home calendar. And same in the opposite direction (but that's rare).

Think of a "Work Brent" and a "Home Brent." When at work, I notify Home Brent when he needs to add something to his calendar or system. When at home, I notify Work Brent that he needs to change his system.

 

[lmw]

Goosync will keep your google calendar and your palm synched. Just have to have Palm OS 4 or later. I have my Treo synched with goosync and it works great.

 

[CJSullivan]

Combining Paper & Palm

Funny you should mention it... I just had a breakthrough on this for myself. I've been a Time/Design user and a Palm user, and have been GTD-ing since 1996. I've gone back and forth between paper & electronic several times in the past 12 years, and I think that's OK. As my life and work has undergone shifts, so does my system...

I like interacting with my calendar in paper -- not just printing out an electronic calendar, but being able to put a big swath of colour over days, being able to writ esomething in pencil, and what's the most fun of all: being able to put "fake" appointments in it! By "fake," I mean by creating appointments that I might have were I living the life of my dreams. Call it "acting as if," "deliberate creation," or whatever you'd like. And I'm here to tell you it WORKS. I am going to London next week because of having put the trip down as a "fake" appointment. I'm LOVING this new way of visualizing.

Do I get confused? No... I just put an * before any fake appointments. But the act of actually WRITING them down connects my brain/creative powers/ intention to the exercise more than just typing would. Personal preference, of course.

What I love about the Palm is its portability, and its ability to handle recurring calendar items. So I keep all my birthday/periodic activity reminders in the Palm, and they beep at me lovingly when necessary. I also keep my memo lists (all sorts of someday/maybe, reference, etc.) in the Palm. I think that's where typing quickly and bypassing my brain actually comes in handy. I don't censor myself if I have a quick idea of a "nice to have..." or whatever. Then if it becomes a real project or next action, it goes into the Time/Design system.

I think Palm and paper do different things really well. When I go to London next week, I'm just taking my Palm. I'll transfer any necessary calendar items for those few days from the Time/Design to the Palm, and I'll capture any context-based next actions I get while I'm there in the Palm, or my "UCT"... So no lugging the ginormous binder through Customs!!!

Hope this wasn't too long & rambling, but I do believe in having your tools work for you, and supporting whatever vision you have for your life, and not having them be an anchor holding you back... Good luck with the Palm/paper combination!