Put on calendar or put in tickler file or both?
- Thread starter BillyIdol
- Start date
It depends on how you want to use it. The way I understand it, the calendar is really meant for things that have a specific time that day that they need to be done (i.e., it trumps everything else)
So, hypothetically, let's say your form has to be faxed in by 4 p.m. on a certain day for the triathalon. What I might do is put the form in the tickler file, and put a 3 p.m. appointment on my calendar for the fax.
If on the other hand, you just need to make the decision that day, I would opt for a reminder in the tickler file, or a date-based task in outlook (my version of a digital tickler file of sorts - I create tasks out of emails, contacts, etc)
So, hypothetically, let's say your form has to be faxed in by 4 p.m. on a certain day for the triathalon. What I might do is put the form in the tickler file, and put a 3 p.m. appointment on my calendar for the fax.
If on the other hand, you just need to make the decision that day, I would opt for a reminder in the tickler file, or a date-based task in outlook (my version of a digital tickler file of sorts - I create tasks out of emails, contacts, etc)
BillyIdol;61773 said:
That would be an @anywhere item for me, as in
Decide go/nogo 10/20 event
I might decide to put a decide date in the title"
Go/nogo 10/20 event? DECIDE BY 9/15
If I want to make sure I can do the event if I want, I put it on the calendar as tentative.
For some events, such as museum shows, I do this:
someday-maybe: Presidential Spittoons at History Museum ENDS 1/15
calendar info: Presidential Spittoons at History Museum ENDS 1/15
so even if I miss it on someday-maybe, I've still got a shot at going.
I think it is really whatever works for you.
I don't use a tickler file. To incubate I use my calendar and my someday maybe.
How I Use The Tickler File
I would suggest putting it on your calendar. I do the following:
1. I use Yahoo calendar.
2. I put the item I need to be reminded of on the specific date.
3. I set up an email reminder in the event.
4. I set up a filter in my email to handle these reminders and it sticks them in a Reminder folder.
5. If there's a piece of paper associated with it, I stick it in Waiting For.
Here's an example, I do not escrow my property taxes so I get a bill each year. It used to be that property taxes were due on May 10 and November 10. However, depending on how 'on schedule' they are, the first installment has been due later than May 10. They only send a bill when the first one is due so I have to remember the second one.
On my calendar, I put "Property Taxes Due" on May 10 and set up a recurring event for it to repeat each year. I put two email reminders in out for one week and a second for one day. I do the same for the for November 10.
When the first installment is due, I get a reminder. If I haven't got a bill yet, I stick the reminder in my email Waiting For so I can remember it's out there.
Once I get the bill I put it on my calendar with the amount on the new date and the revise the calendar entry in November and put the amount on it with a reminder for me to pay it and put the bill in my plastic Waiting For folder.
When the bills come due I pay them and am reminded by my calendar, by email reminder and when I review my Waiting For folders.
While I could use a tickler, I choose not to because it takes up so much space and I forget to check it. I do check my email everyday and this system helps me remember so many things, I can't believe I ever lived without it.
If you have a large number of physical items to go with a future event, then I think it makes more sense to use a tickler with the 43 folders, but I would suggest if you only have a handful of physical items using an "action folder" or "tickler folder" if you want to keep it separate from your normal waiting fors.
This is what works for me.
I would suggest putting it on your calendar. I do the following:
1. I use Yahoo calendar.
2. I put the item I need to be reminded of on the specific date.
3. I set up an email reminder in the event.
4. I set up a filter in my email to handle these reminders and it sticks them in a Reminder folder.
5. If there's a piece of paper associated with it, I stick it in Waiting For.
Here's an example, I do not escrow my property taxes so I get a bill each year. It used to be that property taxes were due on May 10 and November 10. However, depending on how 'on schedule' they are, the first installment has been due later than May 10. They only send a bill when the first one is due so I have to remember the second one.
On my calendar, I put "Property Taxes Due" on May 10 and set up a recurring event for it to repeat each year. I put two email reminders in out for one week and a second for one day. I do the same for the for November 10.
When the first installment is due, I get a reminder. If I haven't got a bill yet, I stick the reminder in my email Waiting For so I can remember it's out there.
Once I get the bill I put it on my calendar with the amount on the new date and the revise the calendar entry in November and put the amount on it with a reminder for me to pay it and put the bill in my plastic Waiting For folder.
When the bills come due I pay them and am reminded by my calendar, by email reminder and when I review my Waiting For folders.
While I could use a tickler, I choose not to because it takes up so much space and I forget to check it. I do check my email everyday and this system helps me remember so many things, I can't believe I ever lived without it.
If you have a large number of physical items to go with a future event, then I think it makes more sense to use a tickler with the 43 folders, but I would suggest if you only have a handful of physical items using an "action folder" or "tickler folder" if you want to keep it separate from your normal waiting fors.
This is what works for me.
Either one will work fine
Assuming that you work your calendar and your tickler file like you should, then either system will trigger a reminder at the appropriate time. There's really no "rule" about which one you should use.
I tend to use a tickler file for pieces of paper that I want to keep out of sight and out of mind until a specific date. This includes tickets to events, pages from shopping catalogs, inspirations written on notecards, etc. For the most part, I don't create the paper that I throw in my tickler file, but sometimes I do.
I tend to use my calendar more for reminders that don't have a paper article attached to them.
If I received a registration form for a triathalon in the mail and couldn't decide if I want to do it, I'd probably drop the form in my tickler file and not put anything on my calendar. If I received the form or registration information by e-mail, I'd probably drag the e-mail to my Outlook calendar and title it "Ready to decide about triathalon?".
As long as your mind trusts your system to trigger the reminder at the right time, it will let go of it. Decide case-by-case which method will allow you to dispatch the item in the most efficient manner.
Assuming that you work your calendar and your tickler file like you should, then either system will trigger a reminder at the appropriate time. There's really no "rule" about which one you should use.
I tend to use a tickler file for pieces of paper that I want to keep out of sight and out of mind until a specific date. This includes tickets to events, pages from shopping catalogs, inspirations written on notecards, etc. For the most part, I don't create the paper that I throw in my tickler file, but sometimes I do.
I tend to use my calendar more for reminders that don't have a paper article attached to them.
If I received a registration form for a triathalon in the mail and couldn't decide if I want to do it, I'd probably drop the form in my tickler file and not put anything on my calendar. If I received the form or registration information by e-mail, I'd probably drag the e-mail to my Outlook calendar and title it "Ready to decide about triathalon?".
As long as your mind trusts your system to trigger the reminder at the right time, it will let go of it. Decide case-by-case which method will allow you to dispatch the item in the most efficient manner.