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GTD and Your Capture Tool
December 11th, 2007 by StephenWelcome back! It's good to see you again. Please note that I am now publishing all new material at my hub site: In Context Blog
Are you Analog or Digital? Or a little of each?
In Ready for Anything, David Allen discusses the value of using both paper and his computer for notes and planning:
“I love the high-tech/high-touch dance of handwriting notes and then assimilating and processing them into the computer. I often coach people who are looking for the perfect way to use only one or the other - all paper or all computer. I’ve found that doing both increases the use and value of both. [emphasis mine, ed.]
I carry a paper organizer and a project notebook, but I keep my project information on the web. I make handwritten notes for planning and brainstorming, then type them up into a text document or spreadsheet, or even load them into a mind mapping program. I have found that using a notebook or Circa PDA for my ubiquitous capture device or ubiquitous capture tool is just handier than using n electronic device.
I agree that using both types of tools increases my capacity for being creative, and allows for revision and editing as I do the transfer. Sometimes just the act of typing up quick notes will spark an idea or suggest a link that I had not noticed before. This method also allows me to use the initial notes as a ‘rough draft’ of my thoughts. The act of transcribing them into digital notes is a way of refining, magnifying and clarifying these thoughts.
Now it is your turn. What is your favorite writing tool? A paper notebook, or an electronic device? Why? And is there a way that you could do or capture more if you combined your system?
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December 11th, 2007 at 3:38 am
I am both digital and paper.
For capturing thoughts I use:
1) Tudumo todo-list manager on my computer
2) Post-Its in my levenger circa organizer
3) My voice recorder in my mobile phone if
The computer is faster but not always available in meetings, where I use my organizer sticking small post-its into a specially reserved inbox area. When I’m on the move, and my organizer and my computer isn’t available I’ll hit the voice recorder on my phone.
For writing it depends on my mood as well. Sometimes it’s so great to write in a nice notebook, with my best pen. Sometimes the computer is better.
Follow your mood, and do whatever matches your daily preferences.
- Jens Poder
December 11th, 2007 at 6:16 am
Thanks Jens, it sounds like you have a very comfortable system.
December 11th, 2007 at 12:21 pm
Hi Stephen, my tool is a standard pocket notebook - generally one topic item per page. (That way once the page has been processed it can be removed.)
I’ve linked your article at Live Journal’s community
December 11th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
I use a spiral bound 3×5 memo book to capture my thoughts throughout the day. Then, at days end, I enter them into Outlook on my PC or PocketInformant on my PocketPC, as tasks, appointments, or notes, and then synchronize both.
December 12th, 2007 at 7:44 am
I used to have a mostly electronic system, but I am now mostly paper based. My capture tool is now a small notebook.
December 12th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
I’m relying on a standard A5 loose leaf for toDo, waitingFor and agenda lists as well as for taking notes. The D*I*Y Planner templates are great for this.
As my UCT (ubiquitous capture tool) I used to print and fold re:PocketMods, but this Flash application doesn’t print well under Linux, so I switched to small Moleskine Cahiers that fit into my shirt pockets.
My Treo 650 serves as calendar and reminder (I need an electronic alarm so I can get into the flow without having to look at watches or clocks all the time).