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Bunders
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: May 17, 2012
Age: 33
Posts: 36
Location: London, England
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 Posted: Wed Jun 20, 2012 2:03 pm Post subject: getting organised (strategies) |
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Hey dudes / dudettes,
What would you folks recommend for personal organizer software? Ideally It'd be able to import notes taken on mobile phone.
I ask as I've been struggling with work for the last two years and I find that I've so little money now I'm unable to do anything but look for a job, which I find difficult. I spent much of the day organizing a system of excel spreadsheets including a day planner like the kind school kids get where the day is broken down into hours, a prioritized task list which records the dependencies between the tasks so that I can assign priorities in a consistent, rational way. Most tasks I can't do as I have no money and I'm struggling with securing employment as it requires a skill set I've yet to develop, so I've listed things I can do to help me develop that skill set e.t.c. and scheduled them so that I don't get lost spending the whole day sitting in front of a computer trying to do something I've no idea how to do and finally realizing that another day of my life has passed me by.
I realized that I might find this system useful more generally in life ( to reduce stress by planning ahead ) so I looked online for similar software that I wouldn't have to develop myself (which would take who-knows-how-long as I'd have to learn as I go) and that would be free because I'm now broke.
Any suggestions?
If not I think I'll start looking into creating a sort of a "database of goals" type thing in OpenOffice. I really liked the look of MyLifeOrganized but it costs money and I didn't realize that I needed that software when I had money.
Anyway, thanks in advance for your time and your consideration everyone!
B. |
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Azmodania
Raven
Joined: Jan 25, 2011
Posts: 115
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:56 am Post subject: |
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I have not yet seen software that I would want to use for this purpose, so I cannot recommend a certain package alas.
But what has been working for me is just an editor and spreadsheet program, which both do not cost anything and are easy to use.
It looks like you are already aware of the bottlenecks and possibilities, which typically is the hardest part of the process.
I would just stick with your current, somewhat cumbersome procedure and add to the long-term activities list:
- keep an eye out for accessible organising software
- try programming the software yourself for skill development (the usefulness of the end-product is not as important)
What might be handy is adding deadline dates to your lists if you were not already doing that.
For me it was a discovery to make those deadlines very lenient. I used to be tough on myself and end up exhausted.
Also I learnt to change the deadlines.
Unexpected events would pop up and instead of revving my internal engines, I now can accept that the deadlines needs to be rescheduled and not feel bad about it.
Another thing is that I considered each and every task as high priority. With some help I now assign numbers to tasks and that helps me shifting them around. It becomes easier emotionally and I can spend my energy doing stuff instead of worrying about doing stuff.
I hope you can find a way that works for you. |
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Bunders
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: May 17, 2012
Age: 33
Posts: 36
Location: London, England
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 4:32 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | I have not yet seen software that I would want to use for this purpose, so I cannot recommend a certain package alas.
But what has been working for me is just an editor and spreadsheet program, which both do not cost anything and are easy to use. |
Yeah, I'm using a folder hierarchy with .txt files and other spreadsheets linked from inside the main planner spreadsheet file which has a goals, timetable, and sub-goal breakdown sheets. The .txt files contain things like job descriptions, and copies of emails and cover letters sent. One of the external spreadsheets is a log of when I've applied for which job and any peoples names involved. It calculates the appropriate date for a follow up call (I haven't made one yet, the very idea of it makes me want to look for a cave to live in) and references all the job application material submitted for that job, e.t.c. Another spreadsheet records which date I uploaded my CV to which online job site so the I can be confident that there aren't 20 different versions of my CV on as many online job sites. I was intending to do that yesterday so my main spreadsheet tells me that I have -1 days remaining to do that job.
I think I'm reasonably well organized but, as I say, I'm looking for a system I can use long term and I worry that this system that I've developed is already nearly cumbersome enough that I'm in danger of missing things. For example, it's only if I open up the job application history sheet that I'll be reminded that I've got to grow a pair and start follow up calls to potential employers.
| Quote: | | Another thing is that I considered each and every task as high priority. With some help I now assign numbers to tasks and that helps me shifting them around. It becomes easier emotionally and I can spend my energy doing stuff instead of worrying about doing stuff. |
I too have struggled with judging the importance of things so...
I've done the same with my top-ten priorities list (some things on there are things just to cheer myself up, like Task #7 "Fix our bikes") For each task I've listed what's stopping me, which is money when it comes to 7 of my top 10 things therefore Task #1 "get a job" has a criticality of 7 which is calculated by a formula counting the instances of the occurance of a code in a column on the spreadsheet, however Task #1 "get a job" depends on Task #2 "Confidence DVD" (I figure self confidence is about 90% of the battle when it comes to finding work so I bought a "Boost your confidence" DVD with some birthday money.) Therefore Task #2 has a criticality of 8 ("get a job" depends on it and 7 other tasks depend on "get a job") although I haven't yet figured out a formula to calculate that. Therefore every day on my timetable begins 07:00 - Breakfast, 08:00 Confidence DVD, 09:00 Job Hunt (broken down into sub-tasks)
As I say it's already getting a little cumbersome. Maybe I need to make some time on my timetable to streamline it into version two for learning to develop a database version.
| Quote: | I would just stick with your current, somewhat cumbersome procedure and add to the long-term activities list:
- keep an eye out for accessible organising software
- try programming the software yourself for skill development (the usefulness of the end-product is not as important) |
Awesome, thanks for that idea, I feel much better with it.
| Quote: | | I hope you can find a way that works for you. |
I'm sure I will. Thanks for taking the time to reply! |
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Sharkgirl
Toucan
Joined: Aug 19, 2011
Posts: 286
Location: Under The Sea
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 5:50 am Post subject: |
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I've had so many different organization systems from the cumbersome ones others have reported here to the simPle ones. I am still working on the best system however I feel that being organized is More about motivation than anything else. Without motivation no system will help you at all, that's my main struggle. I have lots of motivation. But not necessarily for what is on my list at the time- its so easy to be caught up in the moment doing other things.
Anyone have this major trouble?
_________________
Never, Never, Never Give Up |
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Azmodania
Raven
Joined: Jan 25, 2011
Posts: 115
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| Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:35 pm Post subject: |
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Misdirected motivation.. hmm yes I think I know what you mean.
Sometimes I dread an upcoming task so much that I stress myself out and need to focus on something completely different.
If it is bad, I typically get lost in a computer game. If it is really severe, my mind locks up and I sit and stare.
Sometimes my misdirections are useful though: there have been moments that I disliked the appointed task and ended up cleaning the kitchen.
I should have done the proper task ofcourse, but I was happy with that kitchen result 
Key thing is to gather willpower and *do* the tasks that are on the list ofcourse. Not always that easy 
Reviewing the organization system has helped me to streamline it.
Somehow spending time sorting the tasks made me more motivated to get them done (less stuff = easier to keep overview). |
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