I would like to think of myself as being organized, but I notice that I go back and forth. Growing up I always used a planner and would write down every single thing I had to do. As I finished these tasks I would cross them off one by one. Looking back, that method seems rather archaic with all of the technology around. After reading the GTD process I hoped that it may be the answer the helping me fine tune my organizational skills.
With starting new classes this summer, teaching full time, being a NHS advisor, working a separate part time job, and keeping up with family duties, I have found myself to be much busier than my "younger" years. However, until getting a smart phone, believe it or not, I would still write lists down and cross out tasks as I completed them. Since getting my first Blackberry in the beginning of 2008, I have transcended from pencil and paper. I started using the memo, calendar, and "push" e-mail functions of the phone to categorize my tasks. This seemed to work well for me since I could also set a reminder. I've been using the this process for awhile now.
When I first started this lab, I was a little overwhelmed with all of the tasks I had come up with that needed to be completed. Basically, it was a lot to type into the memo section of my phone! I will say that getting every single thing out of your head and somewhere else is a major stress reliever; until the reality that you actually have all of this "stuff" to complete sets in. I suppose this is where the rest of the steps come in, right? Then, I figured something out...
I realized that I could use the Google calendar that I had created for the lab and input all of the my tasks in there. Not only could I put all of that "stuff" into the Google calendar, I could sync the calendar to my phone because it's Android! Go Droid!! Now, everything that I put into the calendar online will automatically update in my phone. I can still set all the reminders and categorize things by type, priority, and color.
I think this new process of organization will work well for me. I do think that the entire GTD process will take some getting used to before I master all aspects of it; it does seem sort of intense. I will just have to be consistent in using it and maintaining it.
As far as continuing to use it; I will absolutely continue to use this new process. Hopefully, as time goes on I will be able to develop more ways to stay organized. It should be much easier for me since I get on Google almost everyday, and it's synced to my phone.
It sounds like this has been a really helpful activity for you. Using Google calendars with the colors, etc. to help manage your tasks can be great, especially with the ability for it to synch with other devices, like cell phones, etc. Using colors, symbols or * on the calendar can help the prioritizing, and it's really easy to edit it and move it a day or so. Hopefully the 810 calendar serves a similar function as well.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn