Comments on: A GTD Shopping List

By: r

Wed, 20 Jul 2005 01:14:10 +0000

I followed the trend & got a moleskine. I don’t see the big deal. The pocket is useful, but the paper kind of sucks for that price. I was fortunate enough to pick up a pad by Rhodia. 80 3″x4″ sheets for $2. The paper is great.

Still haven’t decided on my preferred pen..Lots of good, modestly priced ones out there.

I liked doing the Hipster PDA thing, but the pad has replaced it. The index cards just got beat-up too much. I considered making a so-called “pocket briefcase” (which you could actually buy (and those willing to spend $11 on an over-hyped notebook might)), but decided it wasn’t worth it. Ditto the zipster-PDA (although it is a neat idea): there’s less appeal in cutting my own custom notecards to fit my case than to make a custom case for my notecards.

I see little reason in having both the hipster & a notebook in any case.

I got my labeler free after rebate. It is extremely useful for my filing, but I found that that basically described only the first few days on GTD & found myself MOSTLY reusing files since then. The labeler has come in handy since for the odd folder I haven’t labeled, Media which I must share with others, and to label my cables. Best FAR item I’ve gotten in a while.

By: Chuck

Chuck — Wed, 29 Jun 2005 20:25:35 +0000

On the supply side, you may want to include the GTD cards from http://www.nextactioncards.com. They are the size of business cards so they easily fit in your pocket, and come with a neat template already printed on them that allows for easy organization. You get 250 for about $10.00 which is cheapter than printing them yourself on business card laser or inkjet stock. You can use them either as a capture method or as your whole GTD system.

Yes, I am affiliated with them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t a great product!

By: larry in sf

larry in sf — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 12:54:45 +0000

I found a great cheap alternative to the Fisher space pen. The uni power tank. It’s pressurized, and plastic. It looks disposable, but in fact can be refilled. I love these.

Stores around here seem to be just getting them.
http://www.uni-ball.com/powertank/

peace out

By: Teli

Teli — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 07:11:04 +0000

I agree with Ryan about the pen thing, I’m always loosing the cheapo pens, however, for the budget conscious folks who don’t intend to move to Antarctica, journey into space, or need to bring a pen 20,000 leagues beneath the sea — you can still get a nice pen for under $5 (Dr. Grip) and just purchase the refills about about $2/pack of 2 – I still have min from college :) and it’s still going strong.

While the moleskin notebook is quite nice, you can get the same functionality (more or less) out of a $2.99 pocket notebook from Wal-Mart (or Amazon as the case may be).

The label maker is optional in my opinion – if your hands aren’t broken and your handwriting is halfway decent, you can get away with making your labels the old fashioned way – but I do have a label maker and it is pretty cool.

That’s my 2 cents worth :)

By: LogSense

LogSense — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 04:54:53 +0000

Barebones GTD

A nice post over at To-Done lists the few items one should get to start using GTD. I would shrink that list to the first 3 items plus a download that is free: – David Allen’s Book “Getting Things Done”…

By: Ryan Latham

Ryan Latham — Sat, 18 Jun 2005 03:02:58 +0000

You know I used to carry around a notepad and pen everywhere but I got tired of that. Because I go through a lot of paper and lose pens (I refuse to use cheapo pens) it got expensive.

I think one of the best things for people who want to get things done is to invest in a PDA. Naturally I am a power user (faux baller) so I have a higher end PDA; however, I started out on a lower end Zire. It personally saved me a ton of time and money in the long run.

If you are serious about getting organized and it is within your means; get a PDA that suits your lifestyle. Do not go out and get the top of the line PDA because its top of the line, just get something to keep you organized. Something that lets you take notes, maybe record some memos etc. Don’t let your PDA become a distraction. Mine has WiFi on it which could distract some, but when I’m at home it doesn’t matter. Work there is no WiFi so its not a distraction.

Do some research and look at some reviews find something that suits your needs and go for it. It adds additional cost to what Keith talks about here but eliminates the paper and hassle…in some cases costs lest in the long haul.

If you need a suggestion as where to start with a PDA; my first (which I still use from time to time) is the palmOne Zire 31 which provides basically anything you need to get things done. If your budget and requirements entail a bit more look at any of the Asus myPal’s which I recommend as well.

By: Michael Moncur

Michael Moncur — Fri, 17 Jun 2005 22:47:34 +0000

If you use a regular Bic and a 50-cent Mead notebook instead of a Moleskine and a Space Pen, you can spend the $30 you saved on a copy of David Allen’s other book, “Ready for Anything.” I’ve found it more useful than my Moleskine.

But you just won’t be as cool.