Help me find an organization system that actually works for ME.

May 13, 2007 5:45 PM

I've tried a lot of personal organization systems, and have had varying degrees of success with each. I've yet to stick with any, however, so I'm trying to find a system that works for ME so that I can be productive more often than not.

After trying and dropping many systems, I've tried to figure out why no particular organizational system has worked for me, and I think I've discovered the reason why: for someone to stick with a particular system, it needs to mesh very nicely with their workflow. If the system clashes with the system at all, or adds too much overhead, I think it's nearly impossible (and possibly unwise) to continue with the system. Put another way, the opportunity cost of following the system outweighs its benefits.

So I'm hoping that if I write a bit about my experiences thus far, and about my workflow, that some of you all can hit me with some great advice. I'm a software developer, and I've found that I get my best work done when I get into "the zone" with coding. But as you all probably know, getting in the zone can be a process itself, taking 10 minutes one day and 2 hours another. Beyond my "zone" periods for specific, challenging coding tasks, I'm definitely someone who shifts contexts alot. I like to drift from one action item to the next, and if I can create a chain of productivity, I really do well in a day.

I've tried paper and computer systems, and I think I've had more luck with the computer than the paper -- I DO tend to scribble thoughts, phone numbers, etc, but do not keep up with a written planner (or the DIY PDA that I kepy on 3x5 cards for awhile). For computer systems, I've tried basecamp (but without a real system behind it), ta-da lists, remember the milk, and most successfully, StickIt. I think StickIt captured the way I work well, but it just wasn't mature enough to be where I wouldn't have to fight the system a bit to get things properly into it. I've also tried Getting Things Done, and I appreciated the Context system from that, and also the idea to ALWAYS have an ability to write down an idea / inspiration (that has been very useful for me).

PHEW! I think that about covers it. I'll be happy to answer any follow up questions you may have. Please -- help me get organized and be productive!

posted by SanctiCrucis05 to grab bag (9 comments total)

It sounds like you are both capable and motivated. Why not roll your own?

Otherwise, could you outline what type of options or features you are specifically looking for?
posted by parallax7d at 6:09 PM on May 13, 2007

That's what I did. I whipped together a PHP solution that matched what I wanted in an organizational system. It's sort of a blend of GTD and other stuff. After I fill it with tasks, it feeds them back to me in a rational manner, making sure I wrap up my daily activities first, and then churn through my outstanding tasks next. If something's bothering me, I just tweak the code.

Just make sure you start simple. :-)
posted by fcain at 6:36 PM on May 13, 2007

I find tada and basecamp to be cute, but not very useful because they aren't bug tracking systems. Bug tracking tools are much more useful and powerful than simple todo list/info sharing tools, and they are designed for developers.

But don't limit them to just what's wrong on whatever you're currently working on, use them to list ideas, enhancements, etc. You can create GTD like statuses if you want (incubation, for example). Personally I put my "action items" (GTD talk) in the bugs/defects so that when I (or anyone else) opens them they know exactly what to do next. That's how developers get things done. Bugzilla 3.0 just game out, it even allows you to interact purely via email, so maybe you want to look into that.
posted by furtive at 6:38 PM on May 13, 2007

Organization systems (like all self-help) are not prescription pills where you pop one and you're cured.

They're just collections of ideas along a theme. Pick the ideas that work for you and don't worry about having a trademarked name for them.

I hate to ask, how much trouble does your current level of organization make for you? You seem pretty relaxed about it, so you main problem might be that you're not motivated enough, in which case no system will help you.
posted by Ookseer at 6:44 PM on May 13, 2007

Parallax, fcain -- That's not a bad idea. I could imagine something using Rails / a bunch of RegExes could be pretty powerful (especially since it'd be tailored exactly for me).

Furtive -- Great idea. Bugzilla might be a great tool (or provide insight for my own, should I create one)

Ookseer --You're right, I'm not overly troubled -- but that's only because I'm getting by without a system right now. I can predict a time in the near future, however, when everything I'm juggling in my head might come crashing down.
posted by SanctiCrucis05 at 7:16 PM on May 13, 2007

fogbugz http://www.fogcreek.com/FogBUGZ/

I've never used it but its supposed to be really damn good software and they have awesome customer service. If you are looking for bugtracking, then this may be the right tool for you.
posted by farmersckn at 8:08 PM on May 13, 2007

By getting into the zone do you mean understand the programming logic for a particular piece of code ?
posted by chrisranjana.com at 4:44 AM on May 14, 2007

By zone, I mean more... getting a flow around programming. The zone is just "ueber productivity mode" where I can bust out lines of code really quickly, figure out a difficult piece of logic, or come up with a new approach for implementing some aspect of a program.
posted by SanctiCrucis05 at 4:55 AM on May 14, 2007

I'm pretty happy with Life Balance. It's very flexible, works well with GTD concepts and has that Context ability you mentioned. It comes in Palm, Windows and Mac versions, which helps in writing everything down.
posted by Cobalt at 9:15 AM on May 14, 2007