One of my New Year plans (note *no* sign of the failure word, “resolutions”) is to be more efficient. Part of that plan is to implement a system using a few new tech tools and a book I discovered that most of America already knows about, apparently, since it is all over the internet with marketing tools for the organizing system it describes. The biggest challenge has been to transfer my calendar to a Blackberry. I have a love-hate relationship with cell phones but have decided one good phone might be better than one that doesn’t work half the time. So, my calendar and my email, my task list and grocery lists are all in one place.

The other new toy I have loved is the Amazon Kindle. It is an electronic reader that also stores PDF files. With a SanDisk memory card, it holds countless Word docs and even music (though I am not surrendering my iPod.) The cool thing about this thing is it holds LOTS of books all in one place and has a downloading feature that works virtually anywhere. I have several  translations of the Bible, and my chronological reading calendar with me all the time now. I have books I am reading. And I have current newspapers downloaded at the push of a button. Unfortunately, there are still books that have not been electronically embedded, but the selection is still enough to keep me busy for a long time. I found a leather case for the Kindle that also has a notepad and pen. So, I have discovered serious convenience all in the size of one small book.

And finally, I am implementing the system found in the book, Getting Things Done, by David Allen which you can find in an Acrobat file for free HERE. It is a different approach to organizing thoughts and “to do” lists that take up creative energy and keep you from having a reminder system going on in your brain at 2 a.m. So, it’s only January 9, and I am not up to speed on any of the three tools, with lots to do to make this system work for me, but I will keep you posted on how it’s going. So far, I love having my calendar at my fingertips. I hate having email pop in all the time because I am distracted to no end. And I love having good reading material with me. So, another love hate relationship with technology has sparked, but it’s an honest attempt at improvement.  How do you keep your calendar and project lists organized? Or do you find like me that you have old projects that you never seem to get to?