Chapter 7 went into great details in
step-by-step format of how to set up tickler files, references, and deal with
projects. For me, the one idea I take
away most from Allen is that no matter how we want to categorize our projects
(i.e. work project, home project, school project, or etc.), the main idea of
categorizing projects is to be able to see the vision of the end project, and
to break the project down into Next-Action lists. Allen's definition of projects in the
previous chapters helps ease my mind about my projects: from my understanding,
Allen defines projects as anything that requires more than one
Next-Action. But, he stresses the fact
that the individual has to be able to visualize the finished project, and keep
that in mind while performing Next-Actions.
Also,
Allen's techniques in managing e-mail based workflows have helped me
tremendously. Before taking this course,
I had set up a system to categorize my emails, but I always ended up putting
80% of my emails into a miscellaneous folder.
Now, with @Waiting For, @Action, @etc, folders, it is very much more
organized. And I can log onto my email,
and within seconds see what I need to do.
Instead of searching through all my emails, and having to read through
them to see what steps I needed to take next.
Another idea I
found very interesting is the "Read/Review" because it allows me to
essentially star an item that I want
to focus more on, but I'm not delegating.
It sounds like I'm referring it, or tickling it, but this
"Read/Review" tag is good because it makes sure that I make sure to
not only read the "stuff" but review the "stuff."
For me it is hard to envision the end result of a project because from what I have experienced the end-result never seems to match with my initial view. It could be that I lack confidence in my own organizational system. From our last class meeting most of us seem to have problems regarding our email organization. This is not a problem for me since I have multiple email accounts designed for different purposes. For instance, I have a personal, academic, miscellaneous and another to receive my beauty/fashion updates.
ReplyDeleteI also found the "Read/Review" idea really helpful as well. It is essential for us to constantly review our projects in order to keep everything working and flowing smoothly. :)