I’m often asked for recommendations on time-saving and organizing products like iPhone apps, email programs, and PDAs. I even get the occasional question about day-planners (“is it okay that I still use one?”)
Don’t be fooled by electronic devices that offer to save you time – and end up costing you a day of sanity trying to use them.
Read this before you buy and app, download software… or even buy a day planner:
1.What already works for you? The best organizing product for you is going to be the easiest and most convenient to use. Think about it: you are wanting something that will save you time and make your life easier. Your life is already complicated enough. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for something to help you organize your life – make sure it doesn’t make you work harder than you already do. Look for an all-in-one package. For instance: the best phone/calendar is one that connects to your computer calendar. If you use Gmail, you should find a phone that can sync your gmail account with your phone email and phone calendar. Then (and this is the most important part), have someone “techie” set it up for you – call the help desk of whatever product you bought and don’t be shy about asking questions.
2.Keep it simple… and brainless Don’t spend 5 hours setting up a system that duplicates what you already do. For instance, I recently paid $4.95 for an iPhone app named Nubi Do. It has 4 stars, so it must work for many people, but not for me. I hunched over my phone and typed with my thumbs for almost an hour. I had to copy my to do list line-by-line into the Nubi Do rows because there wasn’t a way to import a document. All the while, I was skeptical whether it was a good use of my time… and it wasn’t.
3. List to calendar, and repeat The best organizational system is a list, a calendar, and lots of persistence. Carry a pad of paper or a phone with you at all times and be ready to add things to your list as soon as you think of them. We don’t always remember important to-do list items when it’s most convenient, so be prepared to sit down on a park bench or pull your car over in order to write it down before you forget. Then, take out your calendar at the end of the day, and write your to-do list on specific days and times. Keep trying this every day, and you won’t need any fancy electronics – just a big dose of persistence.
Posted by marykblalock 
