So by popular demand (Louise), I’m writing this short piece describing the methods that I use to organise myself.
I read ‘Getting Things Done’ by David Allen on a holiday in 2006. The book was written in 1970 but the system is so simple, it still works in the age of email and Slack. The main principle is that anything that can’t be actioned in 2 minutes is instantly filed under ‘delegate’, ‘file’, ‘action’ or ‘trash’. The ‘inbox zero’ movement (which proposes exactly what it sounds like it proposes) came from this theory – if you follow this method far enough you shouldn’t have anything in your email inbox, and neither should you forget anything now leave something critical unresolved. Sounds like heaven doesn’t it.
These days I use Trello as my primary organising tool. I have Trello boards for work and personal, one for articles I want to write and one for ideas. Just recently I’ve discovered the power of Siri and shortcuts on my phone. I’ve also started going for early morning walks during which I listen to audiobooks. I found that all sorts of ideas and tasks came to me on these walks so I’ve created two shortcuts. Now when I see ‘Hey Siri, task’ or ‘idea’, Siri politely asks for the text, and then files the task or idea to the relevant Trello board.
Outlook also provides links to Trello and Slack. That means any email I need to action or follow up, I press the Trello button and a card is created in my Tasks board. So Trello has become my clearing house for everything I need to do. Trello itself also has ‘power ups’ which have all sorts of super powers which help to automate things further and, more importantly, allow others to see what I’m up to and to collaborate where necessary.
So, Louise, seeing as you ask, THAT’s what I do !