There is a discussion raging at the DavidCo forums regarding the use of the Tickler File. The gist of the thread is pretty simple:

• Do you use a Tickler?
• No, I use a Mac.
• I love the Tickler.
• I can’t get in the habit.
• Yada, yada…

There were no real explanations of how people were systematically using their Ticker Files, which I admit would have been helpful to me a couple of months ago. Once I got in the habit of using the folders, they became indispensable.

In the interest of saving my readers the time of going through all of those posts, here is my GTD Tickler File methodology:

At home, where I do have things that are date-specific but will not physically fit into my calendar (which I refuse to stuff with notes and errata). this is a full-on 43 folder system (12 months + 31 days).

Now that I work from home, I will schedule a trip to the Post Office to get the mail a few times per week (it’s 7 miles to the PO!). I zip through the mail as so:

• Tickle the bills for the date of the next Weekly Review,
• Leave the mail for my wife on the kitchen table,
• Open and handle any other mail,
• Toss the junk,
• and Defer the rest to an appropriate time (usually WR day again).

Simple.

Then, each morning, while the coffee is brewing, I check the contents of “today’s” folder, sync with my paper calendar, and get on with my routine. Again, simple.

I have found the 43 folders to be invaluable. There is a complete description of my GTD hardware here, and my method for the Weekly Review here (including downloads of Review Checklists).

How do you use your Tickler File, and how did you make it a habit?