One of the items that I never thought I would need is now beginning to take a role in my life. The “manila” folder—I’ve heard it called “vanilla”…but it is “manila”. I wish it were called “Vanilla” but I digress.
During my move from Virginia to South Carolina, I read the book “Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress Free Productivity.” “Getting Things Done” is an excellent book about reducing stress by keeping “your in-box empty”. One of the skills recommended was the use of basic manila folders to file information. Since the book was written in the 1990s, it is easy to try to transfer this concept into digital terms. Using “Desktop” folders stored on your computer or Evernote online are definite filing options that are available.
But what about class handouts?
I guess I could scan the paper to go paperless—but with stacks of handouts given through the Army Course that I am in…is it practical? In addition…(as of this writing) Evernote can not be accessed on Army Computers, taking away one big advantage to having a digital copy online.
In addition, many of the handouts are worksheets or group work—hand written answers—so I can’t just get the same information by requesting a digital copy.
So, I am going “old school” with my school handouts.
Each block of classes, I label a folder. When I have a handout, I put it in there.
Some of my labels include:
- Personal Development Plan
- StrengthsFinders
- Small Group Administration
- Leadership
- Army Profession
- Counseling
and the list goes on. Using the “Getting Tings Done” method, I am able to build a file box of folders easily organized for a ready reference and review.
At the end of the course, maybe I will digitize some of the more critical information—but at this point, I’m content with my “Vanilla folders.”