I recently stumbled onto a book by Brook Noel which I am loving! The name of the book is The Change Your Life Challenge: Step-by-Step Solutions For Finding Balance, Creating Contentment, Getting Organized, and Building the Life You Want. Sounds good!!
While I'm only about 70 pages in, I already feel more in charge of my life. As I'm gearing up to take on more film & writing projects AND homeschool my kids this year, I really needed to find a system that works for me. I've always been fairly organized, but weak in certain areas...processing/organizing paper, managing "clutter dump" areas within the house and keeping track of all the information, appts, and schedules around here. Some days I feel like I'm managing General Motors...and we all know how they're doing :(
Anyway, I thought I would take a minute to share the best tip I've found so far. Ms. Noel recommends using something called a CAN--short for Catch-All Notebook. Basically it's just a small notebook (I find 5x7 works well) that you can carry with you and record information, ideas, to do lists or goals. So, what's the big deal? Well, for starters, it's SIMPLE. I've tried using Daytimers, Palm Pilots, binder systems, folder systems...but none have been as effective for me as this little notebook. I don't have to figure out how to use it. I don't have to worry about charging it or losing data. I don't have to cart around a bulky/bulging binder. Ok, that's nice, but still, so what?? Many people have used notebooks--there's nothing revolutionary about that. True. However, what makes this approach unique stems from her insistence that I keep it near me 24/7. As the author states, "it's like having a "spare brain".
She goes on to explain that "in a study done to identify common practices of high-functioning individuals, keeping a notebook handy at all times to record passing thoughts, tasks, ideas and notes was an almost universal trait of the studied individuals, including Albert Einstein and Michaelangelo."
The research summarized three beneficial findings of this practice:
1. By keeping the notebook handy 24/7, it becomes a reliable location for confidently storing "mind matter." by transferring thoughts, tasks, ideas and notes from mind to paper, the mind is free to focus on the task at hand.
2. The act of writing something down makes it more concrete and, statistically increases the odds of remembering and accomplishing the written task.
3. By having all information accessible (within arm's reach), indivduals are better able to maximize unexpected free time slots (even five to ten minutes).
The real gift for me in using this approach has been peace of mind...it feels so great to know that I'm not forgetting anything...especially ideas. Being an idea person, I sometimes have as many as 30 new ideas a day--many of which come into my mind...and then go right back out unless I write them down.
And, it's been a great little tool for managing my to do lists...putting work and personal lists together for the first time (I used to keep them separate and it just wasn't working)...now I just pick the top three priorities (either work or personal) for each day and list them in my CAN...so far I've been easily able to complete them and typically do more!
I realize that everyone has to do what works for them, but since this is ACTUALLY working for me, I thought I'd share it. And wait til I tell you about her next great tip: UGLY DAYS :)
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