How do you stay organized?

[Jims5543]

I have tried a lot of different methods to keep notes and / or organized. I have used very succesfully a Daytimer. At first a small one then onto a dexk one then back to a small one. Then I tried the PDA thing.

I had a few clients that carried a clip board with them with a legal pad and jotted everything on the pad. I am at that stage right now but its a PITA to carry around. Fine for the office but not to run around with.

I am toying with going back to the Daytimer again. I like the PDA but find it too cumbersome, especially when mearly wanting to jot down a note and phone number.

What do you use to keep yourself organized?

[vash]

i write everything down on post-its. then i stick them everywhere, then i call information.

[RickM]

I have the best success witha simple notebook. I went the PDA, Daytimer...you name it. Simplicity is king. Meetings and the like end up in my Outlook calendar.

[JonT]

I've got a 8 1/2" x 11" daytimer--1 1/2" thick or so. Month at a glance. Zippers around the side so I can keep paperwork, checkbook, envelopes inside without flying out. It's a little big but does everything I need it too. I would like to go smaller but it seems I always need to hold something that wont fit. I like the month at a glance--the PDA's are small and high-coolness gadget factor but seem difficult to use and see all the monthly information I need.

[bryanthompson]

my laptop goes everywhere, pda goes everywhere else. my 12" powerbook stays in one of these:

[legion]

I stopped caring about stuff.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by JonT
I've got a 8 1/2" x 11" daytimer--1 1/2" thick or so. Month at a glance. Zippers around the side so I can keep paperwork, checkbook, envelopes inside without flying out. It's a little big but does everything I need it too. I would like to go smaller but it seems I always need to hold something that wont fit. I like the month at a glance--the PDA's are small and high-coolness gadget factor but seem difficult to use and see all the monthly information I need.

I really like the PDA its very cool. I almost feel guilty buying it and not using it anymore. The simplicity of being able to grab a pen and jot something down is unmatched by any electronic gadget.

I used Daytimers for 10 years and got away from them. I think I might go online and go back to it. Like I said I feel guilty not using the PDA or at least giving it another chance. Its just not easy to pull out and jot notes that will be somewhat organized.

[cantdrv55]

Treo 600 (PDA and phone combo) and a wire ring notebook. I jot notes down the old fashion way, then xfer to my PDA through MS Outlook at the end of the day. Has worked well for me so far. Can't leave home w/o my Treo.

[David]

I use a red At A Glance standard diary (SD374). I tried a day planner but I found it too bulky. The problem with the diary is they are in short supply after the year starts, so you need to order a few months before the next.

[cowtown]

Daytimer here as well. I used to use a PalmOS PDA, and it was fine for calendars, but not for note taking. It depends on your job - how much note-taking you do vs. simple task entries in a calendar.

I think paper still works best. The handwriting recognition is awesome. Too bad the backups don't work so well.

[pbs911]

I have a secretary.

[928ram]

Shelves and bins, lots of shelves and bins.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I have tried all of the above mentioned items.

Always end up with the old standby - yellow legal pads.

I never tear out an old page until the necessary info has been transferred to another page, computer or the task has been accomplished.

[Oh Haha]

Daytimer for me as well. My company sent us to class a few years ago to learn to use them. I use mine for work only. We don't have much going on outside of work right now.

[RANDY P]

Subfolders for subjects and email to myself constantly. Outlook calendar.

rjp

[Moneyguy1]

I had aPDA and went to a very important meeting, volunteered to take down the essential info and make sure all participants got a copy. Needless to say, the PDA failed and I had to work from memory. Rather than driving over the PDA with a steamroller, I sold it and spent the few bucks for a DayMinder. I have never looked back. This is from a guy who likes technology. There are some things that should not be trusted. Not only that, a DayMinder has the advantage of instant random access to whatever is in it. And it doesn't depend on batteries or electronics.

[craigster59]

Black and white composition book for the big ideas and a little spiral 2"x4" notebook that I carry for when the divine inspirations hit. Then I just transfer from the little book to the big book. No crashes, backups, power surges,etc...well, maybe a coffee spill every now and then.

[Dottore]

I have a Nubian slave with a photographic memory. Now, these are not easy to come by so do not get your hopes up.

I say "next Tuesday" and she recites my appointments in chronological order. The anthropologists among you will know that the Nubians taught the Arabs all there was to know about mathematics, and, although I hate to brag, this girl really is a walking calculator.

We travel to the US regularly, and when we pass a gas station that says "$2.65 per gallon" - I need only ask: "what is that in Canadian dollars per litre dear" and the answer will follow in a heartbeat.

With a girl like this at your side, PDA's become an unnecessary distraction.

Find one if you can. You will not regret it.

[H.G.P.]

Mine is:

1. Perform a listed "Gedanken Experiment(s)" the night before.

2. Appointments by e-mail only.

3. Other:.... by a written check-off list.

[Z-man]

3. Other:.... by a written check-off list. [/B]

That's my main way of keeping organized at my desk!

-Z.