I’ve tried so many tools and methods to get and stay organized I’ve lost track of them all. Generally, I get all my crap set up just the way I like… then I get distracted an forget about it, or realize I’ve gone and made things much more complicated than they need to be.
Last spring I bought a generic 2008 datebook (on sale of course, because, well, it was spring 2008…) and I went back to organizing my time the analog way. Paper and pencil (yes, I prefer pencil.)
I still have lists on the computer. Lots and lots of lists. 
And I use Google Calendar as my main datebook. I have it sync to both my MacBook & iPhone and I can’t think of an easier way to keep track of dates and appointments.
But when it comes to day to day to do lists and reminders, nothing beats paper and pencil for me. So I treated myself to a bright red Moleskine datebook for 2009. It’s got stickers, a little extra notebook (I use it as a catch-all for blog post ideas, movies, books and music I hear about, business ideas, etc.) and I have a stack of colored pencils to make it even more fun. I mix life and work together, so notes about a site for a client are right next to a reminder to buy a gift for a friend. I don’t use the colored pencils to organized, just to brighten things up when the mood strikes. I know others might make work notes blue, life notes green, etc, and that’s not a bad idea- I might go in later and circle in various colors if I find I need a more granular way to organize.
What’s your favorite tool for keeping track of all that stuff you need to do?
Paper and pencil
I’ve tried so many tools and methods to get and stay organized I’ve lost track of them all. Generally, I get all my crap set up just the way I like… then I get distracted an forget about it, or realize I’ve gone and made things much more complicated than they need to be.
I still have lists on the computer. Lots and lots of lists.
And I use Google Calendar as my main datebook. I have it sync to both my MacBook & iPhone and I can’t think of an easier way to keep track of dates and appointments.
But when it comes to day to day to do lists and reminders, nothing beats paper and pencil for me. So I treated myself to a bright red Moleskine datebook for 2009. It’s got stickers, a little extra notebook (I use it as a catch-all for blog post ideas, movies, books and music I hear about, business ideas, etc.) and I have a stack of colored pencils to make it even more fun. I mix life and work together, so notes about a site for a client are right next to a reminder to buy a gift for a friend. I don’t use the colored pencils to organized, just to brighten things up when the mood strikes. I know others might make work notes blue, life notes green, etc, and that’s not a bad idea- I might go in later and circle in various colors if I find I need a more granular way to organize.
What’s your favorite tool for keeping track of all that stuff you need to do?