How to file a physical someday/maybe item?

M

markashton

0
Hi Folks,

I have implemented a physical A-Z Reference Filing System. It contains items that have no psychic pull and that are not actionable but may be of use in the future. Beautiful!
However, I have a few physical items remaining that fit the someday/maybe category. Someday/maybe items seem to always be discussed in terms of a list rather than physical material. As they are not actionable items at this moment (and who knows if they will be) am I correct in assuming they should be filed in the A-Z reference system?
My hesitation is that they do have a mild psychic pull. I am of the understanding that categories should not be blended in any way, mentally or physically. So mixing physical Someday/Maybe and reference stuff seems arguably wrong.
I'd be very grateful to know how others handle and store physical someday/maybe items. I don't mean using them as reminder items - the list can do that. I also mean to vague timewise to tickle.

Many Thanks, Mark
 
Put an entry for the item on your someday/maybe list.
Put the item itself in your general reference filing cabinet.

If it is too big to put in your general reference filing then I suggest two options:

a) Put a parenthetical note on your someday/maybe list entry regarding what cabinet the thing is in; or

b) Put a folder regarding the item in your general reference filing cabinet, and put a note in the folder regarding what cabinet the thing is in.

David
 
I agree with David/dhlesq. Put an item on your Someday/Maybe list, and file the physical item in your reference materials.
 
David & Brent,
Many thanks for clarification on this matter.
So, am I correct in understanding the eight containers/categories described in the organising phase of GTD are not to be considered completely discrete in terms of physical organisation but should be so mentally?
Many thanks
 
markashton: Yes.

In my opinion, very little in the system should be taken as absolute gospel. Modify as you see fit, but it's usually best to try the "official" way first, for a while.
 
markashton;56305 said:
David & Brent,
Many thanks for clarification on this matter.
So, am I correct in understanding the eight containers/categories described in the organising phase of GTD are not to be considered completely discrete in terms of physical organisation but should be so mentally?
Many thanks
Click to expand...

Sometimes. For instance, my tickler system and actionlists are essentially the same thing. The difference is that NAs that need to be tickled are dated, whereas NAs with no need to be tickled are not dated.

As said in the previous post, however, it is whatever works for you.

David
 
I recommend not actually having a list, but instead keeping a *folder*. Then you can easily toss in printouts, magazine or newspaper items, and of course scribbled ideas from your head.
 
cornell;56710 said:
I recommend not actually having a list, but instead keeping a *folder*. Then you can easily toss in printouts, magazine or newspaper items, and of course scribbled ideas from your head.
Click to expand...

Neat idea, though I disagree. A folder full of papers takes too long to shuffle through every week during the Weekly Review.
 
I actually have a section of one of my small filing cabinets (the tickler file cabinet) that is exclusively for someday maybe items. Everytime I see something that is a someday/maybe, I put it into a folder that is labeled with the general category of that someday/maybe item. I usually get business ideas, so I have a folder called, "business ideas" in my someday/maybe section.

I also sometimes think, "I should learn french" or "I should learn how to become a better raquetball player"...those things go into my "skill building" folder. and I have a couple of other folders too: Things to Sell, Things To Do.

I don't think I will ever have more than 10 someday maybe categories (only have four now). This way my reference stuff and someday/maybe stuff doesn't get mixed up. I might go through my someday/maybe folders bi-weekly, but I wouldn't have gone through my entire reference system bi-weekly.

I am still implementing all this though so I may change it and/or fine tune it in someway. I don't have a "list" of someday maybe items yet but I will create a file in my pocket pc with the list in it that way I can add or refer to it at anytime I wish.
 
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