A guest blog by GTD user, Dan Haygeman
One tactic I learned from Ed Lamont (Founding Partner of Next Action Associates) a couple of years ago was the practice of carrying a very small, tiny pad of notepaper in a very thin wallet (about the size of a pack of cigarettes and perhaps half the thickness of an iPhone 5s) with a small pen attached; and carrying that tiny notebook everywhere I went.
I protested that I already had my pocket Day-Timer for making notes portably, but Ed stressed that my Day-Timer, while useful for some things, was too thick and I probably wouldn’t actually carry it everywhere. He claimed that some of his best ideas had occurred to him in situations where he would not have a way of capturing them absent his tiny notepad.
These days I still use that same wallet and notepad, for a number of reasons in addition to those already mentioned. For one thing, the pads are perforated so that I can write a single thought or action item on each page. When I get to my office in the morning, I simply tear out the sheets I’ve accumulated up to that point and toss them into my inbox for when I have a processing session.
I also keep this notepad next to my bed so that if I wake in the night I can open the notepad wallet and scribble something without turning on the light (a feature which my wife, Nance, especially appreciates.) To make sure I can have another “in the dark thought” without covering the previous one, I simply fold each page in half horizontally so it’s easy to locate a fresh page.
Regardless of how brilliant and prolific I am, which happens frequently these days, it’s all because of this tiny notepad.
How do you use GTD? We’d love to hear your hints, tips and personal experiences. Email us at [email protected]
I agree that having a small notepad handy at all times is a really great idea if you are still a paper person. But I am trying to go all digital in my life, including going paperless. So I’m experimenting more with using the various devices in my life to capture my quick thoughts. Since I carry my phone everywhere with me and I have it by my bedside at night as well, I can easily use that as my quick capture tool. I either use the Notes app in my iphone or my actual to do list app, Wunderlist, to do the quick capture. So I just wanted to make a comment for those that are trying to get away from paper that you CAN accomplish the same thing electronically if you are diligent about always having an electronic device with you.
Thanks, Gillian. I too use a mix of paper pad and phone (just emailing to myself via JotBox for iOS). One interesting practicality about late-night capture I have found is that I find it harder to go back to sleep if I capture on my mobile phone. Something about that glowing screen gets the neurons all excited again. I see that they have improved on the old tip-lighting pens from the 80s with new LED models, and am tempted to get one so I don’t have to switch on the bedside lamp and wake my partner when capturing on paper.
The perfect solution to this problem is the David Allen NoteTaker Wallet as it comes with a Expandable Pen and miniature notepad. I’m rarely without mine. Perhaps you could consider adding these to the GTD Shop?
Hi David,
Yes, the David Allen Note-taker wallet is good kit for sure. Personally I prefer the simplicity of the jotter in the image above, but everyone will have different needs and desires on that front. We are in the process of adding new products to the store, so definitely watch this space….
Hi Ed
I would be interested to hear when you add the jotter in the image!
Mark
I am a digital person and I always have my phone. However, there are also some physical things I have to carry: driver’s license, major credit cards, medical insurance card, and a few business cards. So, I have a small memo book (small enough to comfortable fit in a jacket pocket or even in front pants pocket). I keep those item plus a memo pad in it. (I haven’t kept a wallet for more than a decade. Money goes in a money clip. Everything else is in the memo book. I like not sitting on a wallet all the time.)When I get an idea in the middle of the sermon on Sunday morning, I can pull that memo book out and jot it down. People will think I am taking notes on the sermon. If I did the same thing with my phone, people would think I am checking Facebook. Ditto for meetings and other situations where pulling out the phone is not socially acceptable.
@ Frank, re your last points on social acceptability, I’m with you. I’m hoping that is not simply an age-related disorder. 🙂
I have tried paper and different notepads so often as I do believe that handwriting is something good. But always I have returned to my mobile device. The processing into my GTD system is so much more easy and seamless and as said before – my mobile is with me anyway all the time