In this digital age, we some times over look the great easy to use organizational systems that have ever been invented.
I use 3X5 cards or index cards for various things because of their paper strength. Card stock holds up much better than regular paper and, really, if it can’t be written on an index card–write a paper.
These are my top three uses.
1. Taking notes. I think about stuff all of the time. Most of my thinking gets done while I am walking from place to place. It is then that I will think of something and pull out an index card and write it down.
2. Organizing my day or thoughts. I am learning to write lists. I have a lot going on and things will get dropped if I don’t constantly remind myself of the tasks that need to get done. So, there are many times that I sit down and write out everything on one or more cards then periodically review then during the day or week as I seek to get everything done.
3. Sending notes. I learned the art of this in the book Moving Mountains. because of the strength, one can literally pass an index card up through the chain of command and get an answer and then pass it all the way back down. Now, yes email can do the same thing–but email isn’t portable. I can have someone write me a note or I send out a note and I will be sure that the message will get there at least in one piece. As with email, you still have to follow up with the person that you sent thee note to.
Who’ve thought that this far into the computer age that we would still need 3X5 cards? They are vital. They are always helpful to have around.