Just got a blackberry

G

ggoldman

0
Just when I had become comfortable with my paper based notebook system, my new job gave me a BB. Being the simpleton that I am, I played around with it and figure the best way to do GTD on it if I am going to do it, is to use the notes function. I really only need 6 categories, two sets of; project list, next actions, waiting for, one for personal and one for work. In about 30 minutes, I figure, I can retype them into notes I figure if I combine this with a notebook, which I process regularly I should be ok. For some reason, I still like to have a "hard" calendar open in front of me which has my personal appointments and my weekend committments of it. The upside is having them on the BB, the downside is having to get things into it, which is harder then just having the paper with you and adding to a list.

I guess I am going to take the plunge and see if I can go electronic. The old binder will always be there if it doesn't work. Thoughts are welcome.
 
ggoldman:

I've been on both sides of the fence (analog and digital) and each has its inherent strengthes and weaknesses. I'm using Outlook and a Palm Treo now and am able to change appointment times/dates with ease and without having to erase or white out the changes.

I wish you the best trying out your new BB-based system. As you say, you can always return to paper or a combo of both if you find one works better for you.
 
Eh. I had a digital system for a while, using various Palm devices. Worked well enough, but I've just found paper too convenient.
 
I use a BB connected via BES to Outlook. I therefore use the Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes functionality of Outlook on my BB too for GTD. I also use NextAction! to specifically manage my NAs (it's a bit better than the native Tasks app). I check my personal email (Gmail) on the BB too using the dedicated Gmail app that I downloaded and installed. I only use Notes to create my checklists and non-NA lists (e.g. Books I want to read, etc).

Sounds like you're not keen to implement GTD on the BB in this way but I'm not sure the Notes functionaility is the most efficient and effective. Have you thought about the various 3rd party apps you can install on the BB that can help you manage your NAs more easily? Some of these are web-based meaning you can manage them from anywhere including on your BB.

Good luck with your trials.

Simon
 
Thanks for the insights all. I can't put anything on my computer due to company restrictions. I am thinking I may have to split and do paper for personal, since I am not sure I want my personal projects up in a work owned BB.
 
I may ultimately do that, I am sort of experimenting since it is a new toy. I do like the ability to scan the notes quickly. I probably will keep a paper based system for personal as a comparison. I am still hesitant to put alot of personal information on a company device.

Thanks for your thoughts
 
I already have blackberry. I bought it 9 months ago. I really love this thing, it always keep me busy and I don't want to get steady alone thinking.
So its a good company..

Anita
 
I got a blackberry from work about six months ago and use it as I use my email programme in the office and therefore it works well with my paper system.

When I read my emails I decide if there is as an action for me, if there is I move the email to my checklist folder (if there is an attachments or notes I need) and make a note in my paper inbox to be transferred to my next action list later. Otherwise I file the email in the correct folder or delete it.

Of course, the other advantage is I am carrying my email context with me so I can complete those tasks whenever I can.

I compiled a list of some of the ways I have found my blackberry to help my productivity if you are interested http://www.darktea.co.uk/blog/tools/6-ways-my-blackberry-has-helped-my-productivity/
 
kate davis;55918 said:
When I read my emails I decide if there is as an action for me, if there is I move the email to my checklist folder (if there is an attachments or notes I need) and make a note in my paper inbox to be transferred to my next action list later.
Click to expand...

Interesting. Why the two-step process? Why don't you just update your Next Action list as soon as you see an action in an email on your BlackBerry?
 
Role of Blackberry

I find the blackberry to be valuable for the following:
-Sending/Receiving email when on the go
-Looking briefly at task lists when on the go
-Serve as a good reminder of appts via alarm
-Keeping calendar up to date when on the go

It has not worked for me to:
-Capture new tasks
-Use as a primary task list

I still value a print out to paper lists!

Your mileage may vary...

Greg
 
Brent;55923 said:
Interesting. Why the two-step process? Why don't you just update your Next Action list as soon as you see an action in an email on your BlackBerry?
Click to expand...

Two reasons:

1) I have a tendency to write vague actions on my task list so I hope by writing those in my inbox notepad when I come to transfer them to my task list I will think about the item and write down the actual next action

2) If I'm using my blackberryto read message I am probably travelling so it is easier to write it in my small notebook which is more likely to be to hand, and it doesn't matter how messy I write in it.
 
gwpruitt;55926 said:
I find the blackberry to be valuable for the following:

-Serve as a good reminder of appts via alarm
-Keeping calendar up to date when on the go
Click to expand...

I agree with this these and it is fantastic. Previously I used my own palm for my calendar and it wasn't possible to sync it with my work calendar, it was very frustrating having to manually enter everything.
 
After having the BB for three weeks now, I have concluded that it is great for getting emails on the go and keeping contacts. It just does not work for me as a list manager or note taker because my work moves too fast and it is quite frankly easier to just add a project, next action which is frequently call so and so to a paper based system. For me it actually slowed me down and caused me to use the system less.
 
Blackberry

Back in September, I was in your position Goldman. I started out using the Notes section of Outlook and the Blackberry and this worked quite well. After some time though, I decided to start using the Tasks component and this worked even better for me. After doing this for a while (a month or so), I downloaded the Outlook Whitepaper, made the suggested alterations to Outlook and this emerged as the best way to do things. The whitepaper tweaks things just right and I highly recommend it.

What I don't recommend is the GTD Outlook add-in. I find it complicates things. The one thing I did like about it was being able to assign projects to tasks, but overall, I just found the whole thing a little to wonky for me. Going from using Outlook Notes, to tasks, the Outlook Whitepaper were all easy transitions, but the GTD Outlook add-in just never took off the ground.

Just my thoughts. Good luck!
 
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