triciaho said:
My company has a secure IT network system. We can't download/install any software or plugins, both Gmail and Evernote have been banned. Does your company have the same set up and how do you get around it?
Several options:
First off, I second cfoley's advice to ask why it's secured. Let's assume that for clearance or legal reasons the network has to be really secured. That means you need a totally portable system that is not tied to your working computer and that does not put any work related data into any cloud system at all.
You might be able to implement a portable smartphone solution with a single system that does it's sync only at work via a cable. That means putting your personal stuff on work machines, also something that is a significant security issue IMO. You could carry 2 phones, one with the work/classified system and one for your personal system.
A paper planner is also an option if you are allowed to carry papers and working materials out of your work that relate to work. Anyone working on classified systems would have to put the work planner into the safe or SCIF and not carry it but for most folks control of a paper planner would be allowed. That would allow both work and personal to be under your control. There are all the issues with a paper planner that may make that unworkable but it is an option.
You could keep the work system totally on work machines and just implement a good capture system, either paper or voice notes, for items you think of that deal with work when you are outside that system and implement whatever you wish for personal. If you do that then plan on processing your outside captured but for work items as soon as you are within the work system and vice versa.
There was either an interview or an article on GTD connect a number of years ago about an officer in the military who used GTD to both manage his personal life and his classified projects. He had lots of information on how to make 2 systems that had to remain completely compartmentalized and isolated from each other work. If I recall correctly he worked in an area that did not allow any electronics to be brought into the work area, so no cell phones, iPods etc. and so went with an entirely paper system in 2 separate looseleaf binders with a very clear distinction between them. He was allowed to carry his personal binder in and out but left the work one in the safe. I've worked in places where even that would not be allowed an in those cases you really have to train yourself to remember what you wanted to capture so you can safely do it once you are either in or out of the secured area depending on the need. You might also need to implement a simple code that would be allowed to move information in and out. I suggest a code not a cipher though. Ciphers are too hard to remember easily for most people. You might have to explain the code and the method for maintaining security to your IT folks before it would be allowed.
