How Do You Organize Your Life?

Author: Craig Pollack Date: Mar 16, 2017 Topics: General Business Owner Blogs

How Do You Organize Your Life?

Have you ever thought about how you organize your life? Literally, how do you stay in front of all the tasks that you need to get done?  How do you keep track of all the bits of information that helps keep you running?

If you’re looking for something to help you organize your life around, without a doubt, Microsoft OneNote is it.  It’s my go to app of choice.  If you’re someone who has a ton to do and a ton to keep organized, I can’t even imagine what you would use that would be better.  Maybe EverNote, but it’s not even close.  As kids today would say, OneNote is the bomb!

No question about it.  In fact, I swear by it.  I’m surprised at how many people still don’t use this, let alone don’t even know about it. In fact, some of the questions we ask during our hiring process involves understanding how candidates organize themselves and keep on top of all of their todo lists.  It’s amazing how many people think paper and a pen is ok in this day and age – especially when applying for a position at an IT company!

I’ve been using OneNote for a couple of years now and couldn’t imagine my life without it.  Everything I think of or intend to do is pretty much in here.  Every tidbit of information. 

Without getting too in depth about its technical capabilities, the beauty of it is actually in its simplicity.  It’s basically an electronic notebook that you can setup and tweak to your heart’s desire.  This and the fact that because it automatically syncs through the cloud, every device I have it on is immediately up-to-date as soon as I open it.  No more saving or manually syncing or carrying around specific devices.

The fact is, our smartphones have become more than just our phones.  They’re literally an extension of ourselves.  So how could we not have something available at any time of the day that has all of our thoughts, brain dumps, tasks, notes – literally my very own life book –available 24/7 regardless of where I’m at and what device I’m working on. 

Are you able to be organized every time a thought hits you?  I don’t know about you, but for me things come to mind when I least expect them and when I’m least prepared.  And more often than not, when I’m NOT in the thick of it for that task.  Things hit me that I need to remember for next week’s staff meeting when I’m not anywhere near the agenda.  Or it hits me that we need to talk about the great thing that Jeremy just did at our next one on one meeting.  Or it hits me that we’re out of mayo and apples when I’m NOT shopping.  Or I’m listening to a podcast and book recommendation comes flying past me.  Anytime, anywhere, on literally any device, I’m updating my OneNote with all of these things.

Notes from every business meeting I attend are in there.  Books I want to read are in there.  Quotes I’m picking up are in there.  As I alluded to, even my shopping list is in there. 

Being organized is great.  But the real benefit is the freedom I get from it. I’m no longer working so hard at being organized because it’s now just an integral part of my life.  It’s now a habit.  Not having to worry about all of this information literally is the most freeing feeling.  And it’s all because of OneNote (and the cloud).

Like I said, I can’t imagine my life without it.  This isn’t any sort of Microsoft sales pitch.  Really.  I swear by it.  You can ask my wife (who also uses it and swears by it as well).

Do you use OneNote?  Or do you use something else you can share?  Let us know in the Comment box below or shoot me an email if you’d like to chat about this.

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Author

Craig Pollack

Craig Pollack

Craig is the Founder & CEO of FPA Technology Services, Inc. Craig provides the strategy and direction for FPA, ensuring its clients, business owners, and key decision makers leverage technology as efficiently and effectively as possible. With over 30 years of experience building the preeminent IT Service Provider in the Southern California area, Craig is one of the area’s leading authorities on how small to mid-sized businesses can best leverage and secure their technology to achieve their business objectives.

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