FV and FVP Forum > FVP Tips, Tricks, and Best Practices for Paper Users
@Miracle: You made me laugh... the notion of carrying around a sobriety token to mark the number of days without hacking. I have had exactly the same experience with hacking, but the urge to do it is hard to resist.
It must be instinctive for some of us to tweak things. I figure it's harmless as long as we realize that the payoff is amusement rather than efficiency. With that in mind, I'll probably never be completely cured of my desire to tinker - but I'll also know not to take it too seriously, and to stop when it really gets in the way.
It must be instinctive for some of us to tweak things. I figure it's harmless as long as we realize that the payoff is amusement rather than efficiency. With that in mind, I'll probably never be completely cured of my desire to tinker - but I'll also know not to take it too seriously, and to stop when it really gets in the way.
June 19, 2015 at 16:44 |
JulieBulie
JulieBulie
When you come across a page with 2 tasks or less on it, cross the tasks out, rewrite at the end of your list, and cross out the page to close it.
June 28, 2015 at 21:27 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Michael B, when I come to old page with 2 task or less on it, I am invoking FVP's skipping rest of the scan mode and just dot/do (part) of the task and rewrite it.
I can't give myself the free opportunity to just procrastinate that old task, without just doing a little of it. >;-|
I can't give myself the free opportunity to just procrastinate that old task, without just doing a little of it. >;-|
June 30, 2015 at 4:37 |
sabre23t
sabre23t
sabre23t:
I use this when weeding the list. It's to consolidate the tasks onto less pages. I don't do this on the first page.
I use this when weeding the list. It's to consolidate the tasks onto less pages. I don't do this on the first page.
June 30, 2015 at 7:54 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
If you use a moleskine-style notebook and have a couple of thin rubber bands slightly shorter than your notebook is tall, you can use them to bookmark the first and last page of your list and the book will open instantly to either. This allows you to use the book ribbon to mark your current task page and quickly get to either end of your list.
Inside: http://www.dropbox.com/s/nwb7kfr18143nwr/notebook-rubber-band-1.jpeg?dl=0
Outside: http://www.dropbox.com/s/x3leelbu7l1jz1h/notebook-rubber-band-2.jpeg?dl=0
Inside: http://www.dropbox.com/s/nwb7kfr18143nwr/notebook-rubber-band-1.jpeg?dl=0
Outside: http://www.dropbox.com/s/x3leelbu7l1jz1h/notebook-rubber-band-2.jpeg?dl=0
July 2, 2015 at 22:47 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Michael B.
I use the elastic band provided with a Moleskine to mark the last page (i.e. where I'm writing new tasks) and the book ribbon to mark my current task. I don't feel the need to mark the first page.
I use the elastic band provided with a Moleskine to mark the last page (i.e. where I'm writing new tasks) and the book ribbon to mark my current task. I don't feel the need to mark the first page.
July 2, 2015 at 23:45 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark:
I was doing the same, but as I've reached the last 25% of my notebook, its elastic band is too loose to hold those pages together! I also found I was undoing the elastic band to refer to my routine checklists at the end of the notebook a lot, and at times was closing the notebook with my pen inside marking the current page.
I'm now closing the notebook with its elastic band, rubber banding the spine of the last page, and not marking the first page of the notebook, as I no longer re-prioritize daily.
I was doing the same, but as I've reached the last 25% of my notebook, its elastic band is too loose to hold those pages together! I also found I was undoing the elastic band to refer to my routine checklists at the end of the notebook a lot, and at times was closing the notebook with my pen inside marking the current page.
I'm now closing the notebook with its elastic band, rubber banding the spine of the last page, and not marking the first page of the notebook, as I no longer re-prioritize daily.
July 3, 2015 at 1:31 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
My index card also marks the last page.
Hadn't thought of marking the current task. I'll try it now.
Hadn't thought of marking the current task. I'll try it now.
July 3, 2015 at 9:53 |
Will
Will
Michael B:
<< I was doing the same, but as I've reached the last 25% of my notebook, its elastic band is too loose to hold those pages together! I also found I was undoing the elastic band to refer to my routine checklists at the end of the notebook a lot, and at times was closing the notebook with my pen inside marking the current page. >>
Yes, I suppose if you're undoing the elastic band a lot then it will get a bit stretched. I don't keep any notes in the back of the book so don't need to do that. The elastic bands on previous notebooks have survived ok!
<< I was doing the same, but as I've reached the last 25% of my notebook, its elastic band is too loose to hold those pages together! I also found I was undoing the elastic band to refer to my routine checklists at the end of the notebook a lot, and at times was closing the notebook with my pen inside marking the current page. >>
Yes, I suppose if you're undoing the elastic band a lot then it will get a bit stretched. I don't keep any notes in the back of the book so don't need to do that. The elastic bands on previous notebooks have survived ok!
July 3, 2015 at 11:05 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark:
I think the elastic band stays relatively solid on the Moleskines, not losing much elasticity. In my case, the envelope in back came undone and had to be removed. There is a benefit and a drawback to this. On the one hand, the notebook is far more flexible and lightweight. I barely notice it in my pocket now as it flexes easily with my movement. On the other hand, the elastic band is designed to grip with the envelope present, and when you reach the last ¼ of the pages, it's expecting to grip those pages along with the envelope.
I think the elastic band stays relatively solid on the Moleskines, not losing much elasticity. In my case, the envelope in back came undone and had to be removed. There is a benefit and a drawback to this. On the one hand, the notebook is far more flexible and lightweight. I barely notice it in my pocket now as it flexes easily with my movement. On the other hand, the elastic band is designed to grip with the envelope present, and when you reach the last ¼ of the pages, it's expecting to grip those pages along with the envelope.
July 4, 2015 at 3:18 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Michael B.
<< In my case, the envelope in back came undone and had to be removed. >>
The horror! No longer having the delightful surprise of coming across vital papers you stowed there safely weeks ago and forgot all about!
<< In my case, the envelope in back came undone and had to be removed. >>
The horror! No longer having the delightful surprise of coming across vital papers you stowed there safely weeks ago and forgot all about!
July 4, 2015 at 11:14 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
After doing an FVP task, you "scan forward" to end of list to and found no more task standing out.
Then you "look" backwards from last done task to the previous dotted FVP task to do. While doing that a task sort of "stand out" to you.
Do you ...
(1) Allow that task to "stand out", you dot it and do it immediately. Essentially you have incorporated "scan backward" step after last done task.
(2) KIV the "stand out" task. Do the previous dotted FVP task. Then only "scan forward" to end of list and dot that KIV task if it still "stand out".
(3) Totally ignore such "spurious" stand out task while not doing "official FVP scan forward" process.
Thoughts?
Then you "look" backwards from last done task to the previous dotted FVP task to do. While doing that a task sort of "stand out" to you.
Do you ...
(1) Allow that task to "stand out", you dot it and do it immediately. Essentially you have incorporated "scan backward" step after last done task.
(2) KIV the "stand out" task. Do the previous dotted FVP task. Then only "scan forward" to end of list and dot that KIV task if it still "stand out".
(3) Totally ignore such "spurious" stand out task while not doing "official FVP scan forward" process.
Thoughts?
July 12, 2015 at 8:40 |
sabre23t
sabre23t
What is "KIV"? I imagine it is some sort of marking of the standing out task, otherwise (2) and (3) are effectively identical. Usually I do (1), but it depends a bit on how much that task stands out.
July 12, 2015 at 10:32 |
Nicole
Nicole
I would ignore it. I will get a chance soon enough to dot that task in my next scan.
Otherwise, you are essentially changing the rules to be "after completing a task, scan forward from the last dotted task" instead of "scan forward from the task you just completed". This adds a lot more scanning but I don't see that it adds much value.
Otherwise, you are essentially changing the rules to be "after completing a task, scan forward from the last dotted task" instead of "scan forward from the task you just completed". This adds a lot more scanning but I don't see that it adds much value.
July 12, 2015 at 20:00 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
sabre23t:
<< Then you "look" backwards from last done task to the previous dotted FVP task to do. >>
The idea is that you don't look backwards at all. You just go straight to the task.
<< Then you "look" backwards from last done task to the previous dotted FVP task to do. >>
The idea is that you don't look backwards at all. You just go straight to the task.
July 13, 2015 at 0:16 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
<< The idea is that you don't look backwards at all. You just go straight to the task. >>
Thanks Mark. Using paper, while going back looking for the previous dotted task, I tend to notice these other tasks. I wIll try harder to ignore them as Seraphim do.
Nicole, KIV is just my usual short form for "Keep In View", mentally noting it. Yes, my earlier number (2) and (3) is almost the same.
Thanks Mark. Using paper, while going back looking for the previous dotted task, I tend to notice these other tasks. I wIll try harder to ignore them as Seraphim do.
Nicole, KIV is just my usual short form for "Keep In View", mentally noting it. Yes, my earlier number (2) and (3) is almost the same.
July 13, 2015 at 5:49 |
sabre23t
sabre23t
I have been thinking of trying a paper notebook again, but my main concern is that it is yet another thing to carry around. I like AM's webapp I saw mentioned somewhere here, but my phone doesn't run it well (it barely runs a browser at all without rebooting itself... I should replace it soon...). My tablet runs it better but what if I need to add something to the list when I don't have wifi around?
So I can definitely see why paper is recommended, but if I carry around *more* things, then each one is harder to get to when I need to get it out, and also the more likely I will forget something. So I guess my question is, how do you guys make it work, with respect to this?
So I can definitely see why paper is recommended, but if I carry around *more* things, then each one is harder to get to when I need to get it out, and also the more likely I will forget something. So I guess my question is, how do you guys make it work, with respect to this?
July 16, 2015 at 17:56 |
skaryzgik
skaryzgik
skaryzgik:
My circumstances are probably very different from yours, but if I were going to be working while moving around I wouldn't take my notebook. If I needed to work off a list, I would make one on Evernote (on my Android). No need for wifi at all.
My circumstances are probably very different from yours, but if I were going to be working while moving around I wouldn't take my notebook. If I needed to work off a list, I would make one on Evernote (on my Android). No need for wifi at all.
July 16, 2015 at 18:29 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
skaryzgik:
"If I carry around more things, then each one is harder to get to... and also the more likely I will forget something. So I guess my question is, how do you guys make it work, with respect to this?"
I'm constantly on the move. For this, I carry a pocket-sized soft cover Moleskine notebook in my back pocket with a pen. On the cover I have a very thin stack of post-it notes (the type that are sticky on three sides, so they stay put).
If I don't need the book for my new location, I secure the book, write out my next task at the top of a post-it note, and take the note and pen with me. If I may need to capture a lot, I'll pull off a couple blank post-it notes along with the top one and pocket them as a thin stack. Then I use "No List" FVP on the post-it notes. When I return to my book, I transfer all the active tasks on the notes over to it.
So my book is the pirate ship I travel the seas with, and when needed, I send out little boats to ship or shore. Later, after the plunder, the little boats return to the ship and drop off their jewels and gems on the deck. Then we suck limes to prevent scurvy and prepare for the grand feast.
"If I carry around more things, then each one is harder to get to... and also the more likely I will forget something. So I guess my question is, how do you guys make it work, with respect to this?"
I'm constantly on the move. For this, I carry a pocket-sized soft cover Moleskine notebook in my back pocket with a pen. On the cover I have a very thin stack of post-it notes (the type that are sticky on three sides, so they stay put).
If I don't need the book for my new location, I secure the book, write out my next task at the top of a post-it note, and take the note and pen with me. If I may need to capture a lot, I'll pull off a couple blank post-it notes along with the top one and pocket them as a thin stack. Then I use "No List" FVP on the post-it notes. When I return to my book, I transfer all the active tasks on the notes over to it.
So my book is the pirate ship I travel the seas with, and when needed, I send out little boats to ship or shore. Later, after the plunder, the little boats return to the ship and drop off their jewels and gems on the deck. Then we suck limes to prevent scurvy and prepare for the grand feast.
July 17, 2015 at 0:23 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Michael B.
"post-it notes (the type that are sticky on three sides, so they stay put)".
Could you please specify the product?
"post-it notes (the type that are sticky on three sides, so they stay put)".
Could you please specify the product?
July 17, 2015 at 12:29 |
Laby
Laby
Laby:
They're called Post-it "Super Sticky Full Adhesive" Notes. I use the "Electric Yellow" ones.
http://www.amazon.com/Post-Sticky-Adhesive-3-Inches-Assorted/dp/B005GZ2174
They're called Post-it "Super Sticky Full Adhesive" Notes. I use the "Electric Yellow" ones.
http://www.amazon.com/Post-Sticky-Adhesive-3-Inches-Assorted/dp/B005GZ2174
July 17, 2015 at 15:25 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
Thank you!
July 17, 2015 at 19:57 |
Laby
Laby
skaryzgik:
I am like you in wanting to carry as little as possible.
Likke sabre23t, I use my Galaxy Note, a Note 2 in my case.
For FVP I use Todoist (multi-platform), but Mark is right, one can use Evernote or OneNote, accessible from anywhere even when offline. I still use Todoist when offline.
Todoist does have default views and folders eg inbox for any new task not yet allocated to a project folder. Any project folder task with a date will show up on the daily Today, Tomorrow, Next 7 days. I can then move these to my FVP Work or FVP Personal as is my wont.
I am like you in wanting to carry as little as possible.
Likke sabre23t, I use my Galaxy Note, a Note 2 in my case.
For FVP I use Todoist (multi-platform), but Mark is right, one can use Evernote or OneNote, accessible from anywhere even when offline. I still use Todoist when offline.
Todoist does have default views and folders eg inbox for any new task not yet allocated to a project folder. Any project folder task with a date will show up on the daily Today, Tomorrow, Next 7 days. I can then move these to my FVP Work or FVP Personal as is my wont.
July 18, 2015 at 7:18 |
Roger J
Roger J
I found for myself that one factor for using FVP more effectively is finding the right balance between portability and functionality with the tools you have.
A few months ago, I was using a 3"x5" 'tickler' notebook, thinking that the portability will mean that I will use it more often. However, I quickly found that it was hard for me to use. Not only was there barely enough space to write down tasks, the spring binding was interfering with my hand movements while writing. I quickly ditched it.
I then used a huge 8.5"x11" notebook. I loved writing in it but the sheer size of it made it awkward bringing it with me all the time. Another unexpected side effect of the size was that rapidly flipping pages around as I am wont to do damages the pages; not only that but since there are a lot more tasks per page I was flipping around those pages longer. Soon the written pages were looking grimy and wrinkled. All of these meant that I was starting to not like using the notebook, from which I started using my smartphone.
The most portable for me is just using my smartphone. It has my calendar and alarms so it is a complete time management system already. The problem, as Mark Forster has already said time and again, is that it is slower to use than paper and pencil. That slowness means that my FVP list in electronic format rarely, if ever, goes over 40 items, and there are many times that I skip consulting my FVP list before doing tasks.
I decided to go back to using pen and paper yesterday, and thinking of my past experiences I bought a 4"x6" spring-bound notebook. While browsing around in the stationery shop I also found a thin, elegant pen that can easily fit inside the spring binding for storage.
Just a small increase in the size of the notebook from my previous 'tickler' was a big improvement for me. I found it very comfortable to write in it. Flipping around the pages also was a breeze. And yet, the portability of the notebook was not compromised. In fact, It seems to fit in my pocket better than the smaller notebook!
In my second day of using of the notebook I have been very impressed with it. I find that I have been using it more often, bringing it with me and more importantly writing and marking it often. And I know I am trusting it more as there are more 40 active items in it now.
A few months ago, I was using a 3"x5" 'tickler' notebook, thinking that the portability will mean that I will use it more often. However, I quickly found that it was hard for me to use. Not only was there barely enough space to write down tasks, the spring binding was interfering with my hand movements while writing. I quickly ditched it.
I then used a huge 8.5"x11" notebook. I loved writing in it but the sheer size of it made it awkward bringing it with me all the time. Another unexpected side effect of the size was that rapidly flipping pages around as I am wont to do damages the pages; not only that but since there are a lot more tasks per page I was flipping around those pages longer. Soon the written pages were looking grimy and wrinkled. All of these meant that I was starting to not like using the notebook, from which I started using my smartphone.
The most portable for me is just using my smartphone. It has my calendar and alarms so it is a complete time management system already. The problem, as Mark Forster has already said time and again, is that it is slower to use than paper and pencil. That slowness means that my FVP list in electronic format rarely, if ever, goes over 40 items, and there are many times that I skip consulting my FVP list before doing tasks.
I decided to go back to using pen and paper yesterday, and thinking of my past experiences I bought a 4"x6" spring-bound notebook. While browsing around in the stationery shop I also found a thin, elegant pen that can easily fit inside the spring binding for storage.
Just a small increase in the size of the notebook from my previous 'tickler' was a big improvement for me. I found it very comfortable to write in it. Flipping around the pages also was a breeze. And yet, the portability of the notebook was not compromised. In fact, It seems to fit in my pocket better than the smaller notebook!
In my second day of using of the notebook I have been very impressed with it. I find that I have been using it more often, bringing it with me and more importantly writing and marking it often. And I know I am trusting it more as there are more 40 active items in it now.
August 4, 2015 at 2:29 |
nuntym
nuntym
Nuntym wrote:
«Just a small increase in the size of the notebook from my previous 'tickler' was a big improvement for me. I found it very comfortable to write in it.»
Was your notebook spring bound on the side or the top? I used top spring bound A7 (3"x4") small notebook. Half yours. I am quite comfortable writing on it, more so when I use gel pens. The ink flows smoother and makes it write better. I also found I write a wee bit slower and neater with those gel pens.
At the moment I am using side bound A7 notebook, so that I have left (notes) and right (FVP) page. I think I'll go back to my usual top spring bound A7 notebook, I like writing on them better.
«Just a small increase in the size of the notebook from my previous 'tickler' was a big improvement for me. I found it very comfortable to write in it.»
Was your notebook spring bound on the side or the top? I used top spring bound A7 (3"x4") small notebook. Half yours. I am quite comfortable writing on it, more so when I use gel pens. The ink flows smoother and makes it write better. I also found I write a wee bit slower and neater with those gel pens.
At the moment I am using side bound A7 notebook, so that I have left (notes) and right (FVP) page. I think I'll go back to my usual top spring bound A7 notebook, I like writing on them better.
August 4, 2015 at 6:10 |
sabre23t
sabre23t
If you want REALLY portable, a sheet of blank A4 folded down to A7 (16 pages) is hard to beat. I appreciate that this doesn't help our valued colonial colleagues so much. Though I'd have though a sheet of foolscap folded in half three times would be perfectly usable.
I'm happy with my hardback Moleskine for now, though occasionally I do think about the thinner, softback cahiers.
I'm happy with my hardback Moleskine for now, though occasionally I do think about the thinner, softback cahiers.
August 4, 2015 at 11:21 |
Will
Will
At the moment for FVP I'm using an A4 loose-leaf binder. The A4 sheets have 46 lines. I write only on one side of the paper. This is ideal for me as I don't have any particular need for it to be portable (but see below):
Advantages:
- I don't have old pages cluttering up the notebook
- It's much cheaper than buying a Moleskine or equivalent
- I have very few active pages because the pages are so big
- I don't have to worry about how to carry tasks forward when I come to the end of a notebook
- It's large enough not to get misplaced
- It's small enough to fit in a briefcase
- If I want to (I don't) I can interleave notes with the list
- If I don't want to take the binder I can just take the sheets with me when I travel
- I can have another binder in the office which I can put the sheets in when I arrive
- I don't even have to take the pages with me. I can scan them before leaving and print them directly out on A4 paper when I arrive at the office. Repeat the process when going home.
- I can shred old pages when I've finished with them. Secure disposal of a notebook is difficult.
Disadvantages
- umm, er, there must be some but I can't think of them at the moment.
- Oh, yes. It doesn't look as pretty as a Moleskine, especially the new fancy coloured ones.
Advantages:
- I don't have old pages cluttering up the notebook
- It's much cheaper than buying a Moleskine or equivalent
- I have very few active pages because the pages are so big
- I don't have to worry about how to carry tasks forward when I come to the end of a notebook
- It's large enough not to get misplaced
- It's small enough to fit in a briefcase
- If I want to (I don't) I can interleave notes with the list
- If I don't want to take the binder I can just take the sheets with me when I travel
- I can have another binder in the office which I can put the sheets in when I arrive
- I don't even have to take the pages with me. I can scan them before leaving and print them directly out on A4 paper when I arrive at the office. Repeat the process when going home.
- I can shred old pages when I've finished with them. Secure disposal of a notebook is difficult.
Disadvantages
- umm, er, there must be some but I can't think of them at the moment.
- Oh, yes. It doesn't look as pretty as a Moleskine, especially the new fancy coloured ones.
August 4, 2015 at 12:22 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
@sabre23t: «Was your notebook spring bound on the side or the top?»
I did forget to mention that, did I? Yeah the notebooks that I recently used were sidebound, but I did use top bound notebooks before, a year ago the last time. I did not like using them without a notebook jacket that can be bought at Staples, but it added to the bulk. Without the jacket it was just too weird to write at the top page.
@Will: «If you want REALLY portable, a sheet of blank A4 folded down to A7 (16 pages) is hard to beat.»
Doesn't that get grimy in a short time? And having no lines to guide my pen just gives me shivers.
Yeah I can be pretty particular with my writing tools :)
«I'm happy with my hardback Moleskine for now, though occasionally I do think about the thinner, softback cahiers.»
I like Moleskines but man are they expensive!
@Mark Forster:
I like the idea of using binder notebooks, especially since I would not be worrying about what to do when I run out of pages. But I never did find one that is portable so yeah I do not think I will be using one soon.
I did forget to mention that, did I? Yeah the notebooks that I recently used were sidebound, but I did use top bound notebooks before, a year ago the last time. I did not like using them without a notebook jacket that can be bought at Staples, but it added to the bulk. Without the jacket it was just too weird to write at the top page.
@Will: «If you want REALLY portable, a sheet of blank A4 folded down to A7 (16 pages) is hard to beat.»
Doesn't that get grimy in a short time? And having no lines to guide my pen just gives me shivers.
Yeah I can be pretty particular with my writing tools :)
«I'm happy with my hardback Moleskine for now, though occasionally I do think about the thinner, softback cahiers.»
I like Moleskines but man are they expensive!
@Mark Forster:
I like the idea of using binder notebooks, especially since I would not be worrying about what to do when I run out of pages. But I never did find one that is portable so yeah I do not think I will be using one soon.
August 4, 2015 at 13:18 |
nuntym
nuntym
nuntym:
<< I never did find one that is portable >>
It depends what you mean by portable. If you mean it must fit in a pocket then the old Filofax binders did a pretty good job. I used one for years, but I don't even know if you can still get them.
[Afternote: Yes, you can. http://www.filofax.co.uk/saffiano-organiser-1.html#year=2015&color=Raspberry&size=5980 and it does look as pretty as a Moleskine!]
My A4 binder is quite large (A4-sized in fact), but it's light and will fit in a briefcase or small backpack, and you can carry a lot of papers in it as well as your task list.
<< I never did find one that is portable >>
It depends what you mean by portable. If you mean it must fit in a pocket then the old Filofax binders did a pretty good job. I used one for years, but I don't even know if you can still get them.
[Afternote: Yes, you can. http://www.filofax.co.uk/saffiano-organiser-1.html#year=2015&color=Raspberry&size=5980 and it does look as pretty as a Moleskine!]
My A4 binder is quite large (A4-sized in fact), but it's light and will fit in a briefcase or small backpack, and you can carry a lot of papers in it as well as your task list.
August 4, 2015 at 13:28 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
@will << a sheet of blank A4 folded down to A7 (16 pages)......I appreciate that this doesn't help our valued colonial colleagues so much >>
Does it end up something like this - http://experimentwithnature.com/03-found/experiment-with-paper-how-to-make-a-one-page-zine/#.VcCwj_lViko ? It starts with letter size (slightly shorter than A4) and ends as a small 8-page book which can be turned inside-out for another 8 pages.
There was (still is?) a site(s) that let you print checklists, lines, grids, etc on letter size paper that when folded, each of the 8 pages had its own format.
Does it end up something like this - http://experimentwithnature.com/03-found/experiment-with-paper-how-to-make-a-one-page-zine/#.VcCwj_lViko ? It starts with letter size (slightly shorter than A4) and ends as a small 8-page book which can be turned inside-out for another 8 pages.
There was (still is?) a site(s) that let you print checklists, lines, grids, etc on letter size paper that when folded, each of the 8 pages had its own format.
August 4, 2015 at 13:40 |
Lillian
Lillian
Will, Lillian et al:
With the amount of usage that an FVP list gets I think these one-sheet suggestions would disintegrate before they were filled up!
With the amount of usage that an FVP list gets I think these one-sheet suggestions would disintegrate before they were filled up!
August 4, 2015 at 14:05 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Mark, well, yes, that's true. OTOH, it does make it easy to take a list of errands, to-do's, etc for a day or 2 without bringing the entire notebook :)
August 4, 2015 at 14:48 |
Lillian
Lillian
Lillian:
<< OTOH, it does make it easy to take a list of errands, to-do's, etc for a day or 2 without bringing the entire notebook >>
Usually when one's travelling most of the other pieces of paper you take with you will be A4 - from the print-out plane/rail ticket to the conference programme - so why not just take a sheet from your A4 refill pad and use that? With 46 lines to the page, using two columns and both sides of the sheet, you would have room for 184 tasks. No need for any fancy foldings.
<< OTOH, it does make it easy to take a list of errands, to-do's, etc for a day or 2 without bringing the entire notebook >>
Usually when one's travelling most of the other pieces of paper you take with you will be A4 - from the print-out plane/rail ticket to the conference programme - so why not just take a sheet from your A4 refill pad and use that? With 46 lines to the page, using two columns and both sides of the sheet, you would have room for 184 tasks. No need for any fancy foldings.
August 4, 2015 at 17:32 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
I use an 8" x 8" (21cm x 21cm) Rhodia reverse book, 160 pages (80 sheets), heavy grid-lined paper, durable plastic covers. It can be used with the binding on the side or the top. I generally have my todo list on the left third of the page and make notes on the right two thirds.
August 4, 2015 at 21:00 |
Zane
Zane
Mark - that's true, but the folded list fits in the extra credit card slots in my travel bag which makes it quicker to find than in a folder or binder of other papers. It's not something I do on a day-to-day basis, I do find it handy as an occasional "keep track of while I'm out" list keeper.
(and not sure if something changed on the site or my browser, but I can *finally* use the capcha again to post! If it's the site that was changed, thank you!)
(and not sure if something changed on the site or my browser, but I can *finally* use the capcha again to post! If it's the site that was changed, thank you!)
August 5, 2015 at 2:33 |
Lillian
Lillian
Lillian,
I did use the mini booklet for a while about ten years ago, but now I just fold twice across and once at right angles,
Mark,
This gives 16 pages that you can stick in a shirt pocket.I find that the closer the list is to hand, the more use it gets. You do need to write small. Which, these days, means I need my monocle. :0(
I did use the mini booklet for a while about ten years ago, but now I just fold twice across and once at right angles,
Mark,
This gives 16 pages that you can stick in a shirt pocket.I find that the closer the list is to hand, the more use it gets. You do need to write small. Which, these days, means I need my monocle. :0(
August 5, 2015 at 9:34 |
Will
Will
Lillian & Will:
Don't let me put you off anything that works for you!
Don't let me put you off anything that works for you!
August 5, 2015 at 22:33 |
Mark Forster
Mark Forster
Will said:
<< If you want REALLY portable, a sheet of blank A4 folded down to A7 (16 pages) is hard to beat. >>
Ah yes, that's what I use when I did AF/FV on my smartphone. I always have an A4 sheet folded to A7 in shirt pocket. I can use it to make notes in a jiffy, especially when I am already using my smartphone for something else, like a phone call say. I tend to reuse discarded one sided printed papers, because by the time I finish one side, the folded paper is well worn ready to be thrown away anyway.
Now that I am using an A7 small paper notebook for FVP, I don't really need that A4/A7 paper. :-)
<< If you want REALLY portable, a sheet of blank A4 folded down to A7 (16 pages) is hard to beat. >>
Ah yes, that's what I use when I did AF/FV on my smartphone. I always have an A4 sheet folded to A7 in shirt pocket. I can use it to make notes in a jiffy, especially when I am already using my smartphone for something else, like a phone call say. I tend to reuse discarded one sided printed papers, because by the time I finish one side, the folded paper is well worn ready to be thrown away anyway.
Now that I am using an A7 small paper notebook for FVP, I don't really need that A4/A7 paper. :-)
August 6, 2015 at 9:35 |
sabre23t
sabre23t
Here's that foldable booklet thing that many of us have tried in the past: http://www.pocketmod.com/
August 6, 2015 at 15:15 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
Dash and Dot
In order to easily maintain my place in the list, I do the following:
1. When I finish a task, I turn its dot into a dash.
2. I scan back through the list to the next dotted task, as usual.
3. I return to the dashed task, cross it out, and scan down the list from there.
In order to easily maintain my place in the list, I do the following:
1. When I finish a task, I turn its dot into a dash.
2. I scan back through the list to the next dotted task, as usual.
3. I return to the dashed task, cross it out, and scan down the list from there.
August 29, 2015 at 5:47 |
Michael B.
Michael B.
I use paperclips - one on the top of the last page (where I'm entering new tasks) and one on the side pointing the currently active task... when I pick a "partial" chain, I just leave the pointer clip on the last task I worked on for the visual reminder of where scanning from.
August 31, 2015 at 3:10 |
Sarah
Sarah
I used to use those little square mini postits for the book I used in work. I had one for the page with monthly goals, another for any daily goals, another to mark my Waiting For pages, another for any topic specific notes and then loads for project-specific pages. In the end the book looked like it was growing a paper beard! I had let it creep and become too convoluted. Those little postits are still handy though.
August 31, 2015 at 8:22 |
Chris
Chris
My notebook filled up, and I've decided to keep using it. So I've attached a second notebook with a rubber band, like a cheap Midori Travelers Notebook. It works surprisingly well so far - holds much better than I would have expected and doesn't cause the pages to bulge.
September 1, 2015 at 6:54 |
Seraphim
Seraphim
I'm thinking about investing in Moleskine Cahiers when my current Moleskine fills up. Individually thin and flexible so they don't make quite such a dent in the suit. and when you fill one, you could attach another until the first is cleared.
September 9, 2015 at 13:38 |
Will
Will
I thought of adding a pen loop in my new notebook using this guide:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdTsxsD29Ps
Using a bread knife, I carefully tease apart the paper backing from the hard cover, then inserted my new black 3/4" wide elastic band pen loop in between and glued. It turned out surprisingly well.
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af63/nuntym/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150910_114229_zpskwqbqvxq.jpg
NOTE: Wow photobucket sucks now, gotta make an imgur account.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdTsxsD29Ps
Using a bread knife, I carefully tease apart the paper backing from the hard cover, then inserted my new black 3/4" wide elastic band pen loop in between and glued. It turned out surprisingly well.
http://i994.photobucket.com/albums/af63/nuntym/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20150910_114229_zpskwqbqvxq.jpg
NOTE: Wow photobucket sucks now, gotta make an imgur account.
September 10, 2015 at 19:55 |
nuntym
nuntym
Nuntym: DIY pen loop - brilliant! Thanks for the tip!! Penlooplessness is the bane of my notebook-toting existence.
September 10, 2015 at 23:51 |
JulieBulie
JulieBulie
@JulieBulie: You're welcome :D
------------------
My cousin accidentally printed a three page document 100 times, and that gave me an inspiration. Intrepid person that I am I asked for all of it, and she gave it all to me. Getting inspiration from Mark's use of a binder for his notebook, I got an old binder, punched the papers, and placed them there, and then I bought some Post It 1 inch stiff tags, and used the whole thing as a Projects Log Book.
http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=80
I used a project notebook during my thesis in college so I thought of making one for each home project, one division in the binder for each project.
It seems to be coming off as the best idea ever.
------------------
My cousin accidentally printed a three page document 100 times, and that gave me an inspiration. Intrepid person that I am I asked for all of it, and she gave it all to me. Getting inspiration from Mark's use of a binder for his notebook, I got an old binder, punched the papers, and placed them there, and then I bought some Post It 1 inch stiff tags, and used the whole thing as a Projects Log Book.
http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/guide.cfm?guideid=80
I used a project notebook during my thesis in college so I thought of making one for each home project, one division in the binder for each project.
It seems to be coming off as the best idea ever.
September 12, 2015 at 17:03 |
nuntym
nuntym
Nuntym:
"It seems to be coming off as the best idea ever."
Could you please explain that in more detail?
"It seems to be coming off as the best idea ever."
Could you please explain that in more detail?
September 13, 2015 at 7:16 |
Laby
Laby
@Laby
Sorry for the late reply, I'm currently out of town which makes it harder to reply, although I have no problems reading posts.
A project notebook is where you collate anything and everything about a project, as the link I provided above states. Since "The main purpose of a project notebook is to record your work as it progresses," all entries are dated. The entries done are very informal and regularly includes my feelings about a project, but that same informality ensures that the information recorded can be surprisingly complete as well as promote creativity. This is aided by the fact that I used unlined paper, which seems to help my creativity even further, and a binder, which makes it trivial to add such things as receipts, calling cards, etc.
Now for my own use, I consider a project as anything that is (1) composed of multiple tasks, and/or (2) important enough to warrant monitoring. I currently have five projects but I have a feeling that could have been a lot more if I was back home.
I cross reference my projects to my calendar and FVP by using a shortcut of the project name enclosed in slashes. For example, let us use my project "Car Management and Repair". If I want to remind myself that I want to check and update that project I add this to my FVP:
/Car/
If I want to add something to the project notebook, I use an arrow; therefore I write to my FVP
/Car/ --> Bobot Tel# xxx-xxxx-xxx
If I want to add a task from a project note to my FVP, I write
/Car/: call Bobot re. car maint sched
while I enclose written task in my project notebook in slashes. Therefore the task above reads in my project notebook as
/Call Bobot re. car maint sched/
If the task was done, I delete the task in FVP per the rules, and I usually add a reminder to update the project notebook. On the other hand, in project notebook I add a check to the task:
✓ /call Bobot re. car maint sched/
Sorry for the late reply, I'm currently out of town which makes it harder to reply, although I have no problems reading posts.
A project notebook is where you collate anything and everything about a project, as the link I provided above states. Since "The main purpose of a project notebook is to record your work as it progresses," all entries are dated. The entries done are very informal and regularly includes my feelings about a project, but that same informality ensures that the information recorded can be surprisingly complete as well as promote creativity. This is aided by the fact that I used unlined paper, which seems to help my creativity even further, and a binder, which makes it trivial to add such things as receipts, calling cards, etc.
Now for my own use, I consider a project as anything that is (1) composed of multiple tasks, and/or (2) important enough to warrant monitoring. I currently have five projects but I have a feeling that could have been a lot more if I was back home.
I cross reference my projects to my calendar and FVP by using a shortcut of the project name enclosed in slashes. For example, let us use my project "Car Management and Repair". If I want to remind myself that I want to check and update that project I add this to my FVP:
/Car/
If I want to add something to the project notebook, I use an arrow; therefore I write to my FVP
/Car/ --> Bobot Tel# xxx-xxxx-xxx
If I want to add a task from a project note to my FVP, I write
/Car/: call Bobot re. car maint sched
while I enclose written task in my project notebook in slashes. Therefore the task above reads in my project notebook as
/Call Bobot re. car maint sched/
If the task was done, I delete the task in FVP per the rules, and I usually add a reminder to update the project notebook. On the other hand, in project notebook I add a check to the task:
✓ /call Bobot re. car maint sched/
September 16, 2015 at 5:09 |
nuntym
nuntym
Oops, you're right. I've corrected it.