If you're like me and assumed "GTD" was a homogenous term for "doing stuff", this Sunday link may help enlighten your ways. Call me ignorant, but I never fully understood that "Getting Things Done" was designed by David Allen for productivityists like me.
Now that I know about his five step system, apps like Omnifocus, Todo, and Things make a lot more sense.
And, if anything, I'm more convinced apps like that are not meant for me.
As David Allen outlines in his five step process, every GTD process needs a tool to capture any and all thoughts, ideas and tasks before delegating each to their appropriate placement. For some people, a capture tool may be an app like Drafts or Scratch. For others, an Omnifocus inbox does the trick.
For people like me, a good old notebook fits the bill. After writing down thoughts and ideas, I can type appropriate tasks into Checkmark or into Fantastical or I can use my book to check off tasks as I get them done.
Of everything I've learned recently about digital vs. analog task management, the most glaring fact is that there is no particular catch-all process. Everyone truly has their own best method for getting things done. David Allen's five step process is simple and can be applied to many different workflows. But it still might not fit you perfectly.
I hope you enjoy your relaxing Sunday. If reading about "Getting Things Done" is not your idea of a relaxing Sunday, then please excuse everything I just said.
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This is the first of (hopefully) many posts by my good friend Josiah Wiebe. Josiah has a wealth of experience in design and tech. He runs a new — and ultra-talented — design startup, works as a web developer and is a certified Apple Technician. Josiah also has a keen interest in stationery tools. Evidently, we share almost every interest.
I look forward to having Josiah post a few of his experiences going forward. As I talk to him on a daily basis, I’ve realized I can’t be the only person who benefits from his passion for great tools.
Take it away Josiah.
<p data-preserve-html-node="true">I’ve always been a bit of a sucker for notebooks. Anything you can write in really. My collection of journals, notebooks and memo books is constantly growing, most recently with a subscription to Field Notes; after seeing Shelterwood I was quick to split a subscription with Josh.</p>
When Jon and I started Collectif, we used the Bēhance network to share the majority of our work before we had a website and Dribbble. Part of their business was Action Method[1], which was “a system for productivity in the creative world.” Part of Action Method was a series of great looking dot grid notebooks, so Jon and I figured we’d give it a shot. Since then, every Collectif project has started out in a Bēhance dot grid notebook of sorts.
<p data-preserve-html-node="true">I’m not quick to spite Field Notes, but they don’t come close to the feeling of quality you get with the Dot Grid Cahier. There’s a few reasons for this.</p>
The Dot Grid Cahier has 64 pages, almost one and a half times that of Field Notes' 48 pages. This gives the whole notebook a sturdier feeling. The pages as a whole are also a little bit larger; Field Notes are 3–1/2“ x 5–1/2” while the Cahier is an even 4“ x 6”.
Instead of three staples, the Dot Grid Cahier is stitch bound, which feels sturdy. All of the pages are perforated about 5mm from the binding, so you can easily take a handful of ideas out of the book.
<p data-preserve-html-node="true">The actual paper is 100% New Leaf Sustainable 162gsm paper, which is a little bit rough, but for pencils — my preferred writing tool — it’s ideal. As the name states, the paper is covered in a dot grid. In my opinion, this is much preferred over standard graph paper. The subtlety of it allows for sketches without too much interference, while the dots keep you straight for writing.</p><div class="intrinsic" style="max-width:100%"><div class="embed-block-wrapper" style="padding-bottom:75.0%;"><div class="sqs-video-wrapper" data-html="<iframe src="//player.vimeo.com/video/89792917?wmode=opaque&api=1" width="400" height="300" frameborder="0" title="MVI 5009" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>" data-provider-name="Vimeo"><div class="sqs-video-overlay" style="opacity: 0;">
<div class="sqs-video-opaque"></div><div class="sqs-video-icon"></div></div></div></div></div><p data-preserve-html-node="true">The cover stock isn’t actually specified, but it’s a nice thick kraft with a beautifully embossed title on the front. I’ve had mine for a number of months and I’ve thrown it into my pocket and into my pack on countless occasions. It’s held up really well.</p><p data-preserve-html-node="true">The Bēhance Dot Grid Cahier is a beautiful and rugged notebook that’s an economical alternative to Field Notes. The only thing it is missing is the Field Notes culture.</p><div data-preserve-html-node="true" class="footnotes">
Action Method has been sunsetted as of Spring 2014. ↩
Since discussing a way to incorporate both a physical and digital journal into the same process, a few people have asked about the kind of material to record in a journal. I have my own process fairly well figured out, but my process may not fit your own style.
Over at Day One, Tulio Jarocki has a great journaling series that outlines how to develop journaling habits, what to journal and why to journal. He also has a great interview series where he discusses how normal people go about recording their own lives.
I find myself reading all of Tulio's work. I've learned many techniques to add to my own process and it's fun to read about how normal people journal.
I can't wait to see what Tulio comes up with for Article #5. Automation and templates are two topics I'm extremely fascinated with and maybe he can shed some light on new ways to spruce up my Day One.
