Right now, I have 89 posts posted on my blog, 2 scheduled, and 93* drafts at one stage or another. I have 20 posts open for editing, 11 Google docs, 1 Google spreadsheet, 19 tabs of various research, and 12 minimized browser windows. I also use Clear**, Apple Notes, and I have written journals going back to 1997. I also have about 3600 emails in my inbox and roughly 400 emails in my ‘project’ folder.<\/p>\n
For some reason, though, I feel like I’m finally taking charge of this. I think the maxim ‘Real Artists Ship***’ applies. I’m finally shipping some of my thoughts, closing open loops****<\/p>\n
When I’m working on my computer, it seems to be a 2-6 brain system*****:
\n1) Blog post ideas go straight into drafts. (I have 23 that I’ve created or edited within the last two days
\n2) Longer form ideas go into a Google doc, if there are a lot of numbers, into a spreadsheet.
\n3) Plans go into my calendar immediately
\n4) Various things I’m tracking go into Clear
\n5) Emails go out when they need to, as soon as I can send them out
\n6) If I need a blank sheet to think about something, it goes in my journal<\/p>\n
Interestingly, I’ve been using 3,4,5,6 for a while, to close open loops. What makes this different now is using 1 and 2 to actually release some of those closed-but-in-abeyance loops. Even though the loop is closed and saved, there is still a cost in knowing that I have so many just waiting to be reopened.<\/p>\n
This blog seems to be functioning as the ‘bigger can’ to re-can all of those mind worms that pop out when I go trawling through my ideas.<\/p>\n
There are plenty of ideas on the go, but I’m sure you have many as well. Let me know if there’s something you’d like me to write about.<\/p>\n
*94 now!<\/p>\n
**It is amazing todo- and other- list software. Try it!<\/p>\n
***Attributed to Steve Jobs<\/p>\n
****A concept central to ‘Getting Things Done’, is that of ‘open loops’, or mental distractions, things you’re worried about, or worried about forgetting. A large part of the method is to reduce these as much as possible.<\/p>\n
*****I used to call it a ‘3-brain system’ when I just had my PDA and journal. Things have spiraled a little since then.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Right now, I have 89 posts posted on my blog, 2 scheduled, and 93* drafts at one stage or another. I have 20 posts open for editing, 11 Google docs, 1 Google spreadsheet, 19 tabs of various research, and 12 minimized browser windows. I also use Clear**, Apple Notes, and I have written journals going … Continue reading How I Organize my Thoughts<\/span>