What is a productivity system?
A productivity system is the set of tools which you use to capture thoughts and ideas. It is where you can see your tasks for the day or week. It is also has a calendar. You may also include a journal as part of your system. I view a productivity system as more than a planner.
What are the rules of a good productivity system?
A good productivity system will fit you. It will merge with your routines and enhance them. That is the only rule I follow. I would not believe anyone who told me that their planner or software is a perfect fit for me.
How to Create a Productivity System
A productivity system can be created in two forms:
- Digital
- Analog
A digital system uses an electronic device and software to create the system. Tablets, phones, PDAs, and computers can all be the basis of a productivity system. I used a Palm Pilot for years to great effect. A digital system can be simple and effective to maintain. The problem is it can also be complex and hard to input into.
An analog system is based on writing with ink, something else on a surface, usually paper. A paper based system offers a highly customizable medium for a simple and effective productivity system. There are a lot of possibilities you can use to make your system. In a paper based system reoccurring items may become a pain to track and enter.
Creating your productivity system will be part science, trial and error, and part art, intuitive guesses. Remember experimenting with mobile apps can get expensive. Good luck, and let me know what systems you created.