In a post last week, I discussed my strategy for using a Today Card. That is, an index card with three tasks that I would like to accomplish with some room left for additional tasks, notes, and scratchpad items that…

One thing that I did not mention, as it was not needed for this post, was that I also have a Bomber Jacket Leather Letter Sized Circa as well. I use this mainly at work (and since I am on leave right now, not much at all) and in a completely different way.

I have made a note (in my Circa, natch) to do another post covering how I have that one set up and the reasons why it is different.

My Circa (complete with a zip-folio) is organized as follows:

1) Notes: Blank paper to serve as an inbox and note-taking area.

2) Agenda: My calendar. I print blank weeks and months from Outlook and handwrite my appointments and commitments. It might seem like a bit of extra work, but I don’t want to be computer dependent, or hand over my personal data to the corporate Exchange server. I keep two to three prior weeks before archiving in a separate notebook.

3) Lists: Everything from Actions, Waiting, Agendas, Someday/Maybes, Reading, etc. in this section. Each topic gets a separate page. I prefer handwritten lists, although lists for recurring tasks (ie. Weekly Review, morning/evening routines) are printouts.

4) Reference: Anything related to my current projects or things I refer to regularly to here. As part of my Weekly Review, I archive those pages that are no longer relevant.

When it’s time for a refill, I use 28-lb copier paper, cut into halves with a paper cutter. I find the 28-lb paper thick enough to absorb fountain pen ink without any bleeding and study enough for the Circa rings. I prefer blank, unruled pages as they allow me to be most creative.

This system is working for me, but I’m always looking for ways to improve!

I still prefer to manage my tasks on my computer. (Which, I could talk about for hours, but I’ll refrain from that digression.) But, like Patrick said, paper is generally much more accessible. So, the first page of my notebook is an “@inbox”, where I dump any tasks that come to mind. When I get back to my computer, they are processed into ‘the system.’

The next section is a running-stram-of-conciousness-nest-of-notes. A little order is brought to the mess by date (yyyy.mm.dd) changes, and #topics in sidebars and/or across the top of the page. (book dart on the current page, so it’s easy to flip to)

After that, I have a page/section for each book I’m currently reading, to capture quotations.

Next, several “reference pages” of lists and information I refer to regularly. (Prayers, liturgies, journaling topics).

And in the very back, a list of people I’m praying for, and why.