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"How To" Directory

Wondering how to organize yourself with analog systems? This page points you to articles addressing common issues.

How to Find Stuff in Your Paper Notebooks

• Set up a table of contents or an index.

• A table of contents is too much work? Set up an edge index.

• …an edge index requires too much hand-eye coordination? Enter the date on all of your notes.

How to Get in the Habit of Using a Pocket Notebook

• Short answer: find a way to keep a pen with it.

How to Remember Things

• Remember ideas and thoughts on the fly with a capture notebook.

• Keep a checklist notebook to remember routine stuff.

How to Plan Your Week with Paper

• Use a regular notebook to plan your week.

• Use a paper planner to plan your week.

How to Set Up a To-Do List that You Can Scan FAST

• Use symbols to scan your list quickly.

How to Send Reminders to Your Future Self

• Use a tickler file and drop a note to yourself in it.

How to Have Time-Sensitive Documents Show Up at the Right Time

• Use a tickler file to store either the document itself, or write yourself a note that tells you where you put the document, and put the note in the tickler file.

How to File Statements and Bills

• Use a temporal filing system.

How to Disambiguate Your Alphabetical Files

• Zenith Auto Insurance… Do you file it under “Z” for Zenith, “A” for Auto, or “I” for Insurance? Doesn’t matter, but you’ll find it quicker if you use a file index.

How to Find Contact Information for People You Actually Know

• Keep a canonical address book.

How to Track Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Routines

• Use a weeks-based tickler file. You can use this to track menus, tasks, workouts, prayer schedules, anything that repeats on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis.