Lists are amazing. I love lists. Whether’s Letterman’s Top Ten List—Dave, you will be missed—or those stupid “list-idles” that are so popular on the web, I have a deep, abiding appreciation for lists.
Especially when it comes to getting things done!
I’ve blogged a lot over the years about apps and notebooks and various things that could possibly/maybe sorta/kinda help one get their tasks organized and, more importantly, done. However, nothing has really made the different for me.
I tried Things. I tried Wunderlist. I tried Producteev. God, help me, I tried Reminders. Nothing did the trick, so I did it myself by going analog.
For about three months, I went old school. Yellow. Legal. Pad. Boom! Then, I added a clipboard and a manila folder, to complete the 1980’s trifecta. Check it out:
From Legal Pad…
This system actually worked really well for me, but there were a few glitches.
Space, for example, is limited on a single side of legal paper, and I couldn’t spill to the back because then I’d never look at that side. Secondly, my handwriting really stinks, and it’s not really an efficient use of time to have me writing all the time. Thirdly, it was one more thing that I was always carrying around, and it didn’t fit really well in my Macbook Air laptop back.
So after Christmas, when I got my iPad, I decided that my to-do list needed to make the leap from analog to digital.
Now, check it out:
…to iPad
I made this to-do list using Pages (for the tables) and Evernote (for everything else). The list sits in its own notebook, though I am using this tag hack to keep it always at my finger tips. I’ve been using it for over two weeks now, and I think this system will definitely be what works best for me.
And maybe it can work for you as well. To that end, here is a ZIP folder that contains both my Pages files and the finished Evernote note. Why would I give the Pages file? Because when the tables are brought from Pages to Evernote (via Copy/Paste) they become much harder and in some ways impossible to edit. Of course, I should also explain why I didn’t just build my tables using Evernote’s table function—it’s because it makes ugly, hard to manage tables. So there.
How to Use
The use of the list is fairly self-explanatory. Simply change my category headers and filled in your tasks. Saturday or Sunday evenings, I sit down with my laptop and my iPad and start my list over. I don’t erase my old ones. I just make a copy of my original, blank list and begin filling in the info. If you have any problems, questions, or suggestions, please leave a comment below.
I designed this list for list-lovers, for people who miss paper but can’t deny the value of digital lists, and I hope those people find this list and find it useful. If you are one of those folks, enjoy! If not, share it with the list-o-philes in your life. They’ll thank you for it. In fact, they’ll add thanking you to their list of things to do.
Scott Lee says
Woah! What a clever idea. I think you just solved my #1 beef with Evernote. Out of the box it’s to restrictive with forcing content down the page. Not allowing you to see a lot of info at once. But this just may solve my problem. And who would have thought it’d be solved with HTML tables?!?
One quick question for you though; how did you get the table into the note? When I copy/paste it of course loses all styling.
Phil Schneider says
Hey, Scott. Thanks for the comment. What do you mean by format? I built my tables in Pages and then copy/pasted them into Evernote. I had to resize them a but, but other than that, they were ready to be filled in.
Scott Lee says
I got it working via copy/paste. Guess I should have tried it first 🙂 It was this line that confused me; made me think it wouldn’t work correctly via copy/paste.
Phil Schneider says
Oh! Yeah, I guess that wasn’t very clear. I was trying to note the fact that the tables can’t be resized and also won’t have any formatting (i.e. Shading or border thickness) when pasted.
Eric Dye says
I love how you’ve migrated from an analog solution that works for yourself to the digital. Very inspiring for those of us still using analog systems. 😀
Phil Schneider says
I’m still very much an old-school guy trying to hack it in an increasingly digital world. #oldbeforemytime
Cindy Smith says
I have fallen in love with the “bullet journal” system (analog). I was wondering if you could do an article on this, if you have ever used this system. Would love ideas from fellow ministers that use this system. Thanks! 🙂
Phil Schneider says
Hmmm. I’ve never actually heard of it. Could you send me a link or example and I’d be glad to share my thoughts.
Cindy Smith says
This is the creator: http://www.bulletjournal.com
If you google it you see all the different takes on it.
Simple or complex you create what fits you. I like simple 🙂
Phil Schneider says
This actually looks really cool.
But I love my iPad system.
Arg. I want to try this, but it seems like an all-in sort of thing. I will think about it.
Thanks!
Ben Boles says
Thanks for the template and the series. These are great tools and resources.
Phil Schneider says
You’re very welcome, Ben. Thanks for the comment!