Getting Things Done

THE ART OF GETTING THINGS DONE I PART ONE

Electronic Note-Taking
Computers can be used to type in notes for processing later. And
as character-recognition technology advances, a parade of digital
tools designed to capture data continues to be introduced. Hand-
held devices (personal digital assistants, or PDAs) and electronic
legal pads can both be used to collect all kinds of input.

Auditory Capture
Available auditory devices include answering machines, voice-
mail, and dictating equipment, such as digital or microcassette
recorders. All of these can be useful for preserving an interim
record of things you need to remember or deal with.

E-mail
If you're wired to the rest of the world through e-mail, your
software contains some sort of holding area for incoming mes-
sages and files, where they can be stored until they are viewed,
read, and processed. Pagers and telephones can capture this kind
of input as well.

Higher-Tech Devices
Now you can dictate into computers as well as hand-write into
them. As more and more communication is morphed into digital
and wireless formats, it will become easier to capture ideas (with a
corresponding increase in the amount of data reaching us that we
need to manage!).
"Computer!"
"Yes, David?"
"I need bread."
"Yes, David."
My needed grocery item has been collected. And as the orga-
nizing part of the action-management process is further digitized,
"bread" will automatically be added to my electronic grocery list,
and maybe even ordered and delivered.