Simple Manifesto #69: Use a minimalist productivity system
This is part of our series on Leo Babauta’s Simple Living Manifesto. We invite you to join us on the journey.
The 69th idea in the manifesto is:
Use a minimalist productivity system. The minimal Zen To Done is all you need. Everything else is icing.
motion gears | Photo/illustration by ralphbijker
Take a look at the illustration above.
Notice anything funny about it?
The gears are at a standstill and won’t be moving anytime soon. They mechanics look great but when you put these gears together like they are — nothing’s going to get done.
Our workflow systems are often exactly like these gears — especially when others are involved.
The mechanics look good on paper, but putting them into practice, using them in the field is an entirely different story.
Call it a productivity system, getting things done or a simple workflow — whatever you call it, be sure you have one that works for you.
Having now read Leo’s Zen to Done, I like it.
It’s simple.
It’s complete.
It gets things done.
My process has been similar although not as exact.
I tend to take notes in several places
- Evernote for photos, text, audio on the go via my phone
- My phone’s internal camera
- Notepads
- Post it notes
Following Leo’s advice (and many others) I’d be best to simplify and start inputing my notes in one place.
I’ve been gradually moving more and more towards Evernote while on the go, but sometimes it’s not the easiest input method when meeting with others. However, I do always have my phone with me and it doesn’t require me to carry around one more thing like a notepad.
But there is something about taking analog notes. Even if I lose the paper I made my notes on, I tend to remember the tasks better when I write them out.
And once you notes are taken… don’t forget to process.
Notes are worthless if you leave them as notes and don’t process them as tasks on your to-do list.
Just like inbox zero, be sure you’re processing your notes daily to keep track of your tasks and goals.
And like all these other great pointers — be sure it’s something that works for you.
So what does your workflow look like? Are you a GTD person or ZTD or some hybrid in between?
BONUS: Chase Jarvis’ photo/video workflow (HT ChurchCreate):
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