There should be 7 lists we keep track of: - It’s important to put each list in separate folders, and to put each remaining thing in our inbox into the appropriate list ## Calendar Actions - Tasks that must be done on a certain day/time - We can also use calendars to postpone our assessment of certain things ex) Triggers for projects, events you want to participate in, decision catalysts ## Actionable Tasks - It is recommended to label our action tasks based on the context required to perform it - The details of these categories are based on the total actions we have to track, and our different contexts - Consider whether you should use the original item as an action reminder, or if you can discard it after making a note ## Emails - Create folders for your emails ex) >2 minute emails you need to act on, waiting for (sent mail) ## Projects - We can’t do a project- we can only do the task associated with it - Projects are used to establish a comprehensive index of our open loops - Projects are critical for control and focus, alleviates subtle tensions, becomes the core of our weekly review, and facilitates relationship management - Projects can be found in our current activities, long-term interests and commitments, and current problems, issues, or opportunities 1. Current activities - Tasks we do may open up the opportunity for projects 2. Long-term interests and commitments - Accountability, roles, areas in our lives with standards, exploring 3. Current Problems, Issues, and Opportunities 1. Problems - Helps us systematically forge solutions 2. Process Improvements 3. Creative and Capacity-building Opportunities - Turns someday/maybe into projects Project Sorting - Personal vs Professional - Areas in Our Lives - Consider keeping subprojects and the project plan in project support material ## Project Support Material - Resources to support our actions and thinking about our projects - If it needs a reminder, it isn’t material ex) Labelled folders in emails, google docs, and bookmarks ## Reference Materials Potentially useful information that isn’t actionable: 1. General reference filing - Tidbits of resources and information - If there are >50 r.m. related to a certain section, add a folder for it 2. Contact managers - Numbers, emails, birthdays 3. Libraries and archives - Overall, a good organization of reference material is dependent on separating actionable vs non actionable, potential categories, and our preferred method of storage ## Someday/Maybe - This list allows us to imagine cool things without having to worry about commitment ex) Hobbies, skills to learn, creative expressions, consumerism, travelling, experiences - Consider whether some projects should be transferred to someday/maybe ## Tickler - Reminders to help us remember what we need to do - Similar to a calendar, allows us to decide not to decide until day x