“I love the idea of a digital master list, but I have a question. I travel regularaly–and often use different computers–so having Outlook as my keep-all isn’t the best option. I have Remember the Milk (a to-do list add-on for my Gmail) and Google Calendar, but they don’t talk to each other. Do you have a recommendation for an online version?”

Gmail has recently implemented “Labs” features such as a basic ToDo List manager, and a gadget that lets you see your Google Calendar on the Gmail page. Still no “talking” to each other, but I’d say it won’t be far away. Just look for “Labs” in your settings. This is what I’m using.

There’s also GTDInbox and Hiveminder. GTDInbox uses Gmail to manage tasks and projects, but doesn’t “talk” to Google Calendar. Hiveminder has one-way sync with Google Calendar; you subscribe to the ical feed in gCal, and a Hiveminder icon will appear there. Still not exactly what you’re after, but worth keeping an eye on for future developments.

Thanks for such a complete, though somewhat intimidating to a champion procrastinator, post about organization!

Thanks for stopping by both days. I know you’re super organized, so it’s been fun to see you here. And hey, one more Smead fan might take us to bonafide fan club status! ;-)

Cheers,
Kay

Smead, Smead… how I love ya, how I love ya… :-)

Needing to create a portable workspace can certainly be a challenge. Depending on what your specific needs are, a good way to begin could be with a portable file storage box – the kind with a handle on top and an inset where you can keep pens, pencils, erasers, note cards, post-its, etc. You can take it with you when you move to the kitchen and even on the road if the spirit moves you.

It’s typically not an all-in-one solution because it’s relatively small for most writers’ needs, but it can be a great way to keep the things you use most frequently organized and accessible. I have several that are now tucked away in my office closet, but get pulled out when I’m going on vacation and need to work while I’m away.

Cheers,
Kay

PS – I’m wistfully imagining your high summer as I listen to the drizzle outside my window.

Thanks for having me! :-) That’s such a great point about sometimes having to write it bad before you can make it good. I think a lot of overcoming fear is knowing what makes us tick. Some writers hate knowing that they wasted time writing a scene they had to later scrap whereas others know they sometimes don’t know what they need for a scene until they write something, anything, as a jumping off point.

Self-awareness is such a key, isn’t it? Whether it’s how we work best on the pantsing to plotting spectrum, whether we need to plow through a first draft or ponder each decision… it’s all part of the creative process unique to each of us. Learning to embrace our individual process is a win in itself!

Cheers,
Kay

Remember the Milk is SO COOL! I’ve never seen that before and it’s a wowzer. Thanks for sharing!

That’s a great question about the mobility issue. I don’t know of an online version that incorporates both an online task list and an online calendar, but it seems like there’s got to be one out there, doesn’t it?

Rather than going online, you could always use a small electronic organizer with a dual calendar and task function. Those are typically very inexpensive and many link to Outlook if you wanted to use that as your initial “type everything in here” source. And they have the bonus of slipping into your purse to take to doctor’s appointments or anywhere that might generate a schedule or to do list addition. And if you’re lucky enough to have a high tech phone, that’s a great alternative too.

Awesome tip on writing in Starbucks. I know a lot of writers who swear by that. Must be that seductive aroma. :-)

Cheers,
Kay

I promise you won’t be disappointed in the Smead. (And yes, I do think they should be giving me a commission with as much as I pimp that thing! LOL)

LOVE your point about not beating yourself up when you’re not productive. It’s so easy to do and so counterproductive. You’re totally right… it’s just as easy to say “Well, I wasn’t then but I am now.” Mindset shifted, the end. Awesome!

Cheers,
Kay

Those are AWESOME tools. I actually had to go almost cold turkey on my blog reading because it was too much of a distraction on a daily basis, so I love Google Reader when I finally get around to catching up. You’re so smart for recognizing areas you could streamline and finding ways to make the information work for you (rather than working for the information the way we often do). Go you!

Cheers,
Kay

LOL. Ah, the dreaded “I’ve filed it. Yay! Now… where did I file it again?” syndrome. Happens to the best of us. :-)

Most often, at least with me, that happens when I’ve created more folders than I probably need for a particular purpose. Marketing items frequently fall into this category because it crosses over with web sites and networking and other related folders. (e.g. If I saw a neat marketing promotion on a web site, would I have filed that in web sites, in contests, in marketing…?)

David Allen has a great rule of thumb that might help with that. He says if a folder has only one or two sheets of paper in it, it should usually be combined with another folder. If a folder has more than 10 items in it, it should be broken down into multiple folders. Exceptions abound, of course: a folder that holds a single cheat sheet or schedule that you reference frequently or a year’s worth of bills (12 vs. 10). But I’ve found that it’s a good guideline to use in deciding if I really need a separate folder for something.

Here’s to finding things in record time! :-)

Cheers,
Kay

Thanks so much for having me. This has been a blast!

That purging process might seem daunting but it really is SO worth the effort. Music helped me through it (thank heavens for iTunes!) and giving myself permission to see my office get even more cluttered before it got better helped a lot too.

I think I filled two entire bins with recycling and created several bags of shredded paper. I actually laughed afterward at how what was left only filled up about 2/3 of the cabinet… and that was including everything that had been waiting for MONTHS to be filed. Here’s hoping you’re much less of a pack rat. :-)

Purge, recycle, shred… rinse and repeat. You can do it!!!

Cheers,
Kay

A fellow Smead lover! Aren’t they wonderful?

Cheers to you on your awesome spreadsheet solution. Sounds like it really helps you stay on top of things when life gets busy. Rock on with your organized self! :-)

Cheers,
Kay

Oh yeah, the Smead file can work wonders for those miscellaneous documents that need to be filed. And it’s a pretty inexpensive purchase given how much of a workhorse it is in keeping things organized. LOVE it.

For bills, I actually have a file that all bills go into. I print off a quarterly spreadsheet that notes which bills are supposed to come and when they’re typically due and put it in that folder as well. Since I do all the bill paying, I used to worry that my husband would have no idea what needed to be paid (and when) if I was unable to take care of it for whatever reason. That’s no longer a worry. Now when a bill comes in, I toss it in that folder. I pay bills once a week and note the date and amount on the spreadsheet and then check it off in green highlighter to show it’s been paid.

It helps me make sure I’ve paid everything for the month and gives my dh and I both peace of mind knowing that he could take over easily if needed. A side benefit is that it’s also alerted me to the fact that I never received a bill from a utility or credit card for a given month. I was able to call and get a duplicate bill sent or the mailing address so the payment didn’t get missed and no late fees got charged. Yay!

Cheers,
Kay

Ah, husbands can be a tough breed to crack. :-) Have you thought about using an incentive for him as well? If you get your work done by a certain time those days, you can spend time doing family or couple things… that kind of thing? Every husband is different, so it may be a matter of finding his sweet spot and taking advantage of it. Good luck!

Cheers,
Kay