How Do You Do It?

Every so often I get bogged down in tools.  Not hammers and screwdrivers but technologies tools that promise the world and deliver, well, mostly a monthly ding on the credit card.

Since watching my roommate Keith design and redesign study organizing processes, methods & charts during university, I’ve been kind of addicted to trying out new and sexy organisation tools.  Over the years, I’ve tried the DayTimer, the index card and the file folders. I’ve used a Psion, a Palm and a smartphone. I’ve incorporated Gantt Charts, To Do lists, a forest of sticky pads and many many online planning, project and task management systems.

I’ve talked to many entrepreneurs about both the need and the eternal search for the perfect system. 

Now with our new office, I’m ready to start fresh with something clean, efficient and effective.

So rather than go through another round of testing all the solutions out there, I’m turning to your for your advice:  What to is your go to system for keeping on top of your projects and life? 

Tool, device, method, process, software – all are up for discussion.

What do you use and how do you use it?

[if you read this on f*book or another social network, please add your answer to my blog so we can share ALL responses.]

Comments

[clarehitchens.wordpress.com]

For life I really like Google Calendar. I have two calendars, one for me and one for the kids, but I display them together (different colours). It really works well for keeping track of appointments, activities, vacation, etc., and does reminders if you want them.

At work, I'm not as organized as I would like to be so I purchased a really cheap (like $10) web program called Toodledo (toodledo.com). It has a whole bunch of features like prioritizing, dating, grouping, etc., but I find just plugging the stuff in and ticking it off is as much as I have the patience for. When I use it, it works well. I am the problem, not it!

Other than that, because I work full time, do freelance work, volunteer in more than one organization and have 3 kids at home where I am the lone parent, well I just fly by the seat of my pants.

[lex]

Gotten a couple of responses via twitter:

Mark @mhp - kick my legs hard enough to keep my head above water
Nathan @Kristu_Du - Google Calendar for coordinating w/ others. Google Tasks for unscheduled to-dos. GTD habits to process all inputs.
Terence @terencelo - I just use GTD to keep on top of and prioritize things. #gtd ... I just use google docs for the most part. Just a bunch of different lists.

Is Google really the panacea for all that ails us in the world of getting things done?

[lex]

Thanks Clare,
I'm a huge fan of Google Calendars too. And it integrates so nicely with my phone that I'm on top of my appointments and rarely double book anymore. Which is a delight!

In the To Do category, I find the same thing - the tools work if you work them. But frankly I want something that makes it fun to work it. (demanding I know). But I'm tired of putting just as much work into using the tool as into doing my planning. I need something that one wave of learning and setup will last me for a long time.

Perhaps someone will suggest the perfection solution. I live in hope.

[erinn]

Hi,

Desperately trying to get in touch with Thorpe Toys and am at a loss for how to reach them.

I would appreciated any info you have......

Thanks so much.

Wicked site.

[Lex]

Hi Erinn,
email me at lex at cheapeatstoronto dot com and I can get you in touch with them.

[Allen S. Taylor]

Check out Behance: http://www.behance.com/
I am not a "creative", but I use their processes and tools to organize and drive projects to fruitful conclusions.
For "life", I use iCal :)