next action support files
Openloops writes about his filing system for next action support files.
People have contacted me and wanted to see more about my Next Action support file set-up. Here it is.
Each piece of paper that becomes a next action is assigned a letter of the alphabet (hopefully, with a logical connection — e.g., budget would be assigned B). I write that letter in the upper right-hand corner of the paper (so I can remember where to return it if it needs to remain in the file as I work on it) and file it in the appropriate lettered hanging file. When I write my Next Action, I add a small reminder to the end so I can remember where the item is. Here’s an example:Review budget (AF-B)
The Next Action is “Review Budget”. The “AF” stands for Action File. The “B” indicates which hanging file it’s in.
Again, a la David Allen, one more thing off my mind — an open loop closed!
This is one area of gtd that I do not think I am doing well. I intend to address this when I get back to the office from my holidays next week. My project and archive files work really well. But, items that only have one or two pieces of paper just don’t justify their own project file and the problem is where to put the piece of paper when you are not working on it. I think openloops system is a simple way to clear my desk (and my mind) of those floating small items.
May 4th, 2005 at 6:28 pm
It really depends on how many of these pieces of paper you have. I have many projects, many next actions, lots of stuff to do — and yet I never seem to have more than about 10 or 20 pieces of paper of the kind you mention. So I just keep them all unsorted in one folder that I carry around. If you’ve got hundreds, and if your project files work really well… then maybe you should redefine your standards for when it’s worth creating a new project?
May 4th, 2005 at 7:43 pm
Mmm good thought borat. Simple approach but I can see the effectiveness. Isn’t it funny how we always want to complicate the approach. I guess it comes from thinking you need to categorise everything. But as you say, it is not a lot of pieces of paper and I would quickly find it in a flick through.
Thanks, I will give it a try.