Is taking notes the best way to stay organized?

Lately several articles “sing” the praises of taking notes as one of the best methods of staying organized.

This method is gaining popularity even among Millennials.

Meaning that instead of electronics they are using (gasp : ) pen and paper to write their TO DO list.
And are using different symbols (like a star, a line, or a circle) to differentiate between tasks; and their importance.

Minimalist approach
I use a minimalist approach when it comes to organizing. And it works for me.
Especially when paired with my “vip” task treatment: an important daily task gets jotted on a piece of paper and then goes on the floor by my desk.

I can’t help but notice it every time I go get coffee.That piece of paper is there to remind me of the phone call I need to make; or the errand I have to run.

Who wrote this?!
Any system has its shortcomings, of course!
Imagine you are at the beginning of the month and you jot down some future task.

Then comes the end of the month; and the time to do that task.
I’m looking at the gibberish note. I turn it around (like that’s gonna help!) and try to make some sense of it.

Sometimes I turn to Flipper and Sunny to ask, “Which one of you wrote this?!”
(Those of you that have seen my handwriting saw that one coming : )

Use the system that works best for you
Minus the occasional hieroglyphs’ deciphering, taking notes and keeping track of tasks work for me.
This or any other method — you can keep organized by using a system that best suits you.
One that makes the biggest dent in your TO DO list.

Mariana Fieraru

Mariana Fieraru, an Eastern European transplant, fell in love with her new home shortly after landing in New York. She "discovered" pizza! Years later she still loves pizza. And so do her two feathered-kids, Sunny and Flipper

Mariana worked on both, the east and the west coast.
Big or small, each project she worked on helped define the importance of gaining and sustaining a competitive edge in an increasingly complex business environment.

Business know-how, love of teaching and writing – all combined in 2006 to form OBI.
Its mission: to make learning fun! And easy.

Through its training, consulting, and publications OBI builds bridges of knowledge to take you from where you are to
where you want to go. Using a mix of serious, informal, analytical, and optimistic approach, OBI truly makes learning fun.

Learn More